ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120053
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CANTON, OHIO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
KEN ANDERSON looks to become first inductee for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, Cincinnati quarterback Ken Anderson and Pittsburgh center Mike Webster are the first-time nominees on the list of 15 finalists announced Thursday for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
They were joined by Dan Dierdorf and Dwight Stephenson, offensive linemen from the 1970s and 1980s who barely missed induction a year ago. They were automatically returned as finalists based on finishing in the top six in the 1995 balloting.
Other finalists included defensive end Carl Eller (Minnesota 1964-78, Seattle 1979), defensive end L.C. Greenwood (Pittsburgh 1969-81), cornerback Mike Haynes (New England 1976-82, Los Angeles Raiders 1983-89), wide receiver Charlie Joiner (Houston 1969-72, Cincinnati 1972-75, San Diego 1976-86), guard Tom Mack (Los Angeles Rams 1966-78), cornerback Mel Renfro (Dallas 1964-77), wide receiver John Stallworth (Pittsburgh 1974-87), wide receiver Lynn Swann (Pittsburgh 1974-82) and defensive end Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles Rams 1971-84). The seniors nominee is Detroit Lions offensive tackle Lou Creekmur (1950-59).
The finalists were determined by a vote of the hall's 36-member board of selectors. The board will meet Jan.27 in Phoenix to elect the class of 1996.
Eleven of the 15 nominees were associated with one professional team for their entire career.
Gibbs led the Redskins to three Super Bowl victories before leaving to run an auto racing team and do television commentary.
Anderson could become the first long-term member of the Bengals to be inducted. Of the current NFL franchises, only Atlanta, Carolina, Denver, Jacksonville and Cincinnati do not have alumni in the hall.
Webster, Greenwood, Stallworth and Swann were important players on the Steelers' dominating teams of the '70s and '80s that won four Super Bowls. Thirteen Steelers - including contemporaries such as Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Franco Harris and Jack Lambert - already have been inducted.
Dierdorf, now a television analyst, played for the St.Louis Cardinals from 1971-83.
LENGTH: Short : 50 linesby CNB