Shula, With His 347 Victories, Leads Way Into Hall of Fame

NEW ORLEANS — During the 49 years that Los Angeles was represented in pro football by the Rams, Tom Mack was their best offensive lineman and Jack Youngblood was, except for Deacon Jones, their best defensive end.

Or so many Ram fans have said for many years.

But in a Super Bowl hotel room here Saturday, Mack and Youngblood were both voted down by the 35 Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee members, who elected four others:

--Don Shula, 63, winner of an NFL-record 347 games in his 33 years as coach of two teams, the Baltimore Colts and, lately, Miami Dolphins.

--Wellington Mara, 80, president of the New York Giants.

--Defensive back Mike Haynes, 43, who spent seven successful years with the Los Angeles Raiders after seven with the New England Patriots.

--Center Mike Webster, 44, who helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win four Super Bowls.

Shula’s election was widely considered to be a foregone conclusion--except by Shula.

“Everybody told me I was a lock,” he said afterward. “But there aren’t many locks around. The Colts were a 17-point favorite in Super Bowl III.”

Shula coached those Colts.

The winner that time, in the Super Bowl’s biggest upset, was a New York Jet team led by quarterback Joe Namath.

Under rules enforced by the Hall of Fame organization in Canton, Ohio, the selection committee is required to choose at least four but no more than seven inductees each year. Ostensibly, each must get 80% of the votes cast. But because hired accountants are brought in to count the votes in secret, no one but the accountants knows whether any or all of the new candidates got the necessary 28votes.

Asked if he will be introduced at the induction gala this summer by Raider owner Al Davis--who has presented all eight of the former Raiders who are now in the hall--Haynes said: “He’s on the list--high on my list.”

Haynes declined to identify the best wide receivers he covered in his NFL days.

“All the receivers I played had the ability to beat me,” he said. “The real challenge was the quarterback--how quick I could recover.”

Former USC and Pittsburgh Steeler receiver Lynn Swann and former Miami center Dwight Stephenson both lasted until the six-man final round, where they failed to muster enough support. The old-timer candidate, Green Bay guard Jerry Kramer, also was voted down.

Among those who lasted until the 11-man semifinal round were Minnesota Vikings Carl Eller and Paul Krause and two receivers, John Stallworth of Pittsburgh and Ozzie Newsome of Cleveland.

The four winners were identified later by the hall’s new executive director, John Bankert, after which Shula dropped by with his wife, Mary Anne, to talk about his best Miami team, which finished 17-0 after winning Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles.

“They had three qualities,” he said. “They were intelligent, unselfish and competitive.”

He was wearing the diamond ring he won that year.

All told, Shula coached in a record six Super Bowls but lost four. His postseason record was 19-17. His overall record: 347-173-6, .665.

“I averaged about 10 wins a year over 33 years,” Shula volunteered. “I’m proud of that consistency.”

Mara becomes the second member of his family to make the Hall of Fame. His father, Tim, who founded the Giants, was a charter member.

Haynes was voted to all-pro teams twice in New England and twice as a Raider. He played in eight Pro Bowls.

Webster lasted 17 seasons with the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. During 10 consecutive years, he played in every game.

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Class of ’97

Profiles of the new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame elected Saturday:

DON SHULA

Winningest coach in NFL history. In 33 years at Baltimore and Miami, compiled a record of 347-173-6--a winning percentage of .665. Coached in a record six Super Bowls, winning in 1973 and 1974, and guided the Dolphins to a 17-0 record in 1972, the only undefeated season in NFL history. From 1964 through 1985, his teams finished first or tied for first 17 times, and only twice in 33 years did he have a losing season. Reached the playoffs 20 times and won 10 or more games 21 times. Was the youngest coach to win 100 games, 200 games and 300 games.

WELLINGTON MARA

Son of late Timothy J. Mara, New York Giants founder and Pro Football Hall of Fame charter member. Election creates the first father-son enshrinement in the hall. His Giants have won 16 divisional titles and six NFL titles, including victories in the 1987 and 1991 Super Bowls. Started as secretary of the team in 1937. Has also served as vice president, president and now co-chief executive officer. Has served on many NFL committees, including realignment, long-range planning and management council. President of the NFC from 1984 to today.

MIKE HAYNES

Spent 14 seasons with New England Patriots and Los Angeles Raiders. Led league with 608 punt return yards in rookie season. Led Patriots in interceptions 1976-1978. Moved to Raiders in 1983 and finished career with 46 interceptions, returning them for 688 yards and two touchdowns. Also recovered 12 fumbles and had 112 punt returns for 1,168 yards and two touchdowns. Was an all-pro choice twice with Patriots and twice with Raiders. Played in eight Pro Bowls. Becomes the 14th modern defensive back in the Hall of Fame.

MIKE WEBSTER

Ironman center did not miss a game for 10 seasons with Pittsburgh. Played on all four Steeler Super Bowl champions and becomes the eighth man to be honored from that dynasty. Played in nine Pro Bowls and was elected Steelers’ offensive captain nine times. Played for Pittsburgh from 1974-88. Finished career with Kansas City in 1989-90. “It’s a reflection of what happened in the ‘70s,” Webster said of the honor. “I’m not sure I’m a Hall of Famer. I was there every day and did everything I could to be as good as I could be.”

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBERS (BY YEAR OF INDUCTION)

1963

Sammy Baugh, Bert Bell, Joe Carr, Earl (Dutch) Clark, Red Grange, George Halas, Mel Hein, Wilbur (Pete) Henry, Cal Hubbard, Don Hutson, Earl (Curly) Lambeau, Tim Mara, George Preston Marshall, Johnny (Blood) McNally, Bronko Nagurski, Ernie Nevers, Jim Thorpe.

1964

Jimmy Conzelman, Ed Healy, Clark Hinkle, Roy (Link) Lyman, August (Mike) Michalske, Art Rooney, George Trafton.

1965

Guy Chamberlain, John (Paddy) Driscoll, Dan Fortmann, Otto Graham, Sid Luckman, Steve Van Buren, Bob Waterfield.

1966

Bill Dudley, Joe Guyon, Arnie Herber, Walt Kiesling, George McAfee, Steve Owen, Hugh (Shorty) Ray, Clyde (Bulldog) Turner.

1967

Chuck Bednarik, Charlie Bidwill, Paul Brown, Bobby Layne, Dan Reeves, Ken Strong, Joe Stydahar, Emlen Tunnell.

1968

Cliff Battles, Art Donovan, Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch, Wayne Millner, Marion Motley, Charley Trippi, Alex Wojciechowicz.

1969

Glen (Turk) Edwards, Earle (Greasy) Neale, Leo Nomellini, Joe Perry, Ernie Stautner.

1970

Jack Christiansen, Tom Fears, Hugh McElhenny, Pete Pihos.

1971

Jim Brown, Bill Hewitt, Frank (Bruiser) Kinard, Vince Lombardi, Andy Robustelli, Y.A. Tittle, Norm Van Brocklin.

1972

Lamar Hunt, Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, Clarence (Ace) Parker.

1973

Raymond Berry, Jim Parker, Joe Schmidt.

1974

Tony Canadeo, Bill George, Lou Groza, Dick (Night Train) Lane.

1975

Roosevelt Brown, George Connor, Dante Lavelli, Lenny Moore.

1976

Ray Flaherty, Len Ford, Jim Taylor.

1977

Frank Gifford, Forrest Gregg, Gale Sayers, Bart Starr, Bill Willis.

1978

Lance Alworth, Weeb Ewbank, Alphonse (Tuffy) Leemans, Ray Nitschke, Larry Wilson.

1979

Dick Butkus, Yale Lary, Ron Mix, Johnny Unitas.

1980

Herb Adderley, David (Deacon) Jones, Bob Lilly, Jim Otto.

1981

Morris (Red) Badgro, George Blanda, Willie Davis, Jim Ringo.

1982

Doug Atkins, Sam Huff, George Musso, Merlin Olsen.

1983

Bobby Bell, Sid Gillman, Sonny Jurgensen, Bobby Mitchell, Paul Warfield.

1984

Willie Brown, Mike McCormack, Charley Taylor, Arnie Weinmeister.

1985

Frank Gatski, Joe Namath, Pete Rozelle; O.J. Simpson, Roger Staubach.

1986

Paul Hornung, Ken Houston, Willie Lanier, Fran Tarkenton, Doak Walker.

1987

Larry Csonka, Len Dawson, Joe Green, John Henry Johnson, Jim Langer, Don Maynard, Gene Upshaw.

1988

Jack Ham, Mike Dikta, Fred Biletnikoff, Alan Page.

1989

Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, Art Shell, Willie Wood.

1990

Buck Buchanan, Bob Griese, Franco Harris, Ted Hendricks, Jack Lambert, Tom Landry, Bob St. Clair.

1991

Earl Campbell, John Hannah, Stan Jones, Tex Schramm, Jan Stenerud.

1992

Lem Barney, Al Davis, John Mackey, John Riggins.

1993

Dan Fouts, Larry Little, Chuck Noll, Walter Payton, Bill Walsh.

1994

Tony Dorsett, Bud Grant, Jimmy Johnson, Leroy Kelly, Jackie Smith, Randy White.

1995

Jim Finks, Henry Jordan, Steve Largent, Lee Roy Selmon, Kellen Winslow.

1996

Lou Creekmur, Dan Dierdorf, Joe Gibbs, Charlie Joiner, Mel Renfro.

1997

Mike Haynes, Wellington Mara, Don Shula, Mike Webster.