Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 31, 1993 TAG: 9302010230
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
PAYTON, 4 OTHERS JOIN HALL OF FAME
Chuck Noll and Bill Walsh, the most dominant coaches in Super Bowl history, and Walter Payton, who rushed for more yards than any player in the NFL, are the newest members of pro football's Hall of Fame.Noll, who won four Super Bowls, and Walsh, who won three were elected Saturday along with Payton.
They will be joined in the Class of 1993 by Dan Fouts, one of just three passers to throw for more than 40,000 yards, and guard Larry Little, one of the premier offensive linemen of his time.
The five were chosen by a 34-member media panel from a group of 15 finalists, and will be inducted July 31 in Canton, Ohio.
Payton had 10 seasons of 1,000 yards or more rushing for the Chicago Bears and finished his career with 16,726 yards. He had 77 games with more than 100 yards rushing and scored 110 rushing touchdowns. He was elected in his first year of eligibility.
With all his records, Payton didn't think his election was a sure thing. "You don't expect anything except death and taxes," he said. "It's always good to get recognition.
"I played a kids' game and got paid for it. I tried to play the way I was taught and I owe a debt of gratitude to the coaches I played for - in high school, in college and with the Bears. You are an extension of these people."
Payton called the Hall of Fame honor a nice one, but not the crowning achievement of his career.
"When I was able to walk off the field for the last time in 1987, that was the crowning moment," he said. "To hear the fans cheer and call my name and see a lot of them cry along with me, that stands out."
Noll and Walsh took over struggling franchises and turned them into powerhouses, winning every Super Bowl they reached.
Pittsburgh never had won an NFL title when Noll took over the team in 1969. The Steelers were 1-13 in his first season but by 1975 they had become champions. He took Pittsburgh to four Super Bowl championships in six seasons and remains the only coach to win four titles.
If Noll's Steelers were the team of the '70s, then Walsh's 49ers were the team of the '80s.
San Francisco was 2-14 in 1978 and then hired the 47-year-old Walsh, who never had been a head coach in the pros. In just three seasons, he took the 49ers to the first of three Super Bowl championships. Walsh's teams won six NFC Western Division championships and Super Bowls in 1982, 1985 and 1989.
Fouts played 15 seasons for San Diego, completing 3,297 passes for 43,040 yards, joining Hall of Famers Fran Tarkenton and Johnny Unitas as the only quarterbacks to throw for more than 40,000 yards. He led the NFL in passing four straight years from 1979 to 1982 and played in six Pro Bowls.
Little was a fixture at right guard for the Miami Dolphins during the '70s and was a member of the undefeated 1973 Super Bowl champions. A superb pass blocker, he becomes just the third guard in the Hall of Fame, following Gene Upshaw and John Hannah.
Little learned of his election in Las Vegas. "I'm very happy, ecstatic," he said. "I'm ready to go out this hotel window. I am almost at a loss for words.
"I tried to do the best I could in a team concept. Individual honors are gravy. It's a great honor. Now I can close the door on my pro career."
\ NFL HALL OF FAME\ THE NEW INDUCTEES
Dan Fouts: Fouts passed for 43,040 yards and 254 touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers. Had a 58.8 completion percentage (3,297 of 5,604 passes). Established NFL records for most 300-yard passing games with 51 and most 3,000-yard seasons with six. Had three straight 4,000-yard passing seasons 1979-81. Played in six Pro Bowls.
Larry Little: Played in 183 games for the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins from 1967-80. Traded to Miami after the 1968 season. Played in three straight Super Bowls, 1971-73. Was an All-Pro from 1971-75 and played in five Pro Bowls.
Chuck Noll: Noll led the Pittsburgh Steelers to Super Bowl victories in 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980. Over his 23-year coaching career, his teams were 209-156-1, including 16-8 in the postseason. He ranks sixth all-time in coaching victories. He played guard for the Cleveland Browns for seven years, including in the NFL Championship Games from 1953-55.
Walter Payton: Payton is the NFL's all-time rusher with 16,726 yards and 110 rushing touchdowns. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 10 of his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. He topped 100 yards in rushing 77 times in his career and also caught 492 passes for 4,538 yards and 15 touchdowns. He played in nine Pro Bowls and set a game record with 275 yards against Minnesota in 1977.
Bill Walsh: Walsh won three Super Bowls as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (1979-88). With a 102-63-1 record in 10 years as a head coach, he won more games than any 49ers coach. His teams won Super Bowls in 1982, 1985 and 1989.