ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601290102
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TEMPE, ARIZ.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Coach Joe Gibbs and two of his former players, tackle Dan Dierdorf and wide receiver Charlie Joiner, are headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They were elected Saturday with defensive back Mel Renfro and old-time offensive lineman Lou Creekmur.
Among the 10 nominees rejected by the 36-member board of selectors were four members of Pittsburgh's four Super Bowl championship teams - wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, center Mike Webster and defensive end L.C. Greenwood.
Also turned away were two finalists, defensive back Mike Haynes and center Dwight Stephenson, as well as quarterback Ken Anderson, defensive ends Carl Eller and Jack Youngblood and guard Tom Mack.
Gibbs won three Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins, each with a different quarterback. The Redskins went all the way with Joe Theismann in 1983, Doug Williams in 1988 and Mark Rypien in 1992. Gibbs retired after the last of those three titles to become a Winston Cup car owner and will be part of NBC's broadcast team for today's Super Bowl.
It was as an assistant coach, first with St.Louis and later with San Diego, that Gibbs worked with Dierdorf and Joiner.
``Dan Dierdorf was one of the most awesome drive blockers I ever saw,'' Gibbs said. ``He was a bright guy, quick-witted and fun to go to practice with. Joiner was one of those guys who'd come in early and stay late. He loved the game.
``Charlie and Dan helped me keep my job. I cherish going into the Hall of Fame with them because they're two of the guys who got me in.''
Dierdorf grew up in Canton, Ohio, site of the Hall of Fame, and remembered watching groundbreaking ceremonies for the shrine and going to inductions every year until he left to go to college at Michigan.
He played 13 seasons for the Cardinals and now works as a color commentator on ABC's ``Monday Night Football'' telecasts.
``I'm more fortunate than the other inductees,'' he said. ``They're entering the Hall of Fame. I get the added bonus of coming home where I grew up. That's as good as it gets.''
Dierdorf, in his eighth year of eligibility, said he was prepared to be disappointed.
``I tried to steel myself that I was not ever going to make it,'' he said. ``After a couple of misses, it pays not to get your hopes up.''
Joiner played 18 seasons for Houston, Cincinnati and San Diego, finishing his career with 750 catches for 12,146 yards and 65 touchdowns. He played more seasons as a receiver than any other player in history. At one time, he was the all-time receptions leader, but he now stands fifth, behind Art Monk, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent and James Lofton.
Now the receivers coach for the Buffalo Bills, Joiner will join former Chargers teammates Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow in the Hall of Fame.
``Gibbs was instrumental in making me into the receiver I was,'' he said. ``If it wasn't for Gibbs and [coach] Don Coryell putting in the system, I don't know if Kellen, Fouts or I would be there.''
Renfro spent 14 seasons in the league as a cornerback and safety for Dallas. He was picked for the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons and had 52 interceptions in his career.
Creekmur was the lone senior nominee, a category that requires a candidate to have completed 60 percent of his career 25 years before his election. He played tackle and guard from 1950-1959 for the Detroit Lions and, although usually an offensive lineman, often was used on defense in short-yardage situations. He played 165 consecutive games and was a member of three championship teams.
Now 69, Creekmur was overjoyed at the honor. He said, ``The only words of wisdom I have are: Hold on. Things may happen.''
NFL HALL OF FAME
1996 ELECTEES
Lou Creekmur
Tackle, guard - Detroit (1950-59)
Played primarily on the offensive line, but was used in short-yardage situations. He shifted to middle guard on defense during the 1955 season. Played in 165 consecutive games. Played in four NFL championship games, winning titles in 1952, 1953, 1957. Was an All-NFL guard in 1951-52, and All-NFL tackle 1953-54 and 1956-57. Played in eight consecutive Pro Bowls, the first two as a guard and the final six as a tackle.
Dan Dierdorf
Offensive tackle, center - St.Louis (1971-83)
Although he never played in a Super Bowl, Dierdorf was a standout. After being drafted in the second round out of Michigan, he played in six Pro Bowls and was selected as an All-Pro five times. Three consecutive years he was picked by his peers as the best blocker in the NFL. When inducted, it will be a homecoming for Dierdorf, who was born in Canton, Ohio, on June 29, 1949.
Joe Gibbs
Coach - Washington Redskins (1981-1992)
Guided the Redskins to a 124-60 regular-season record and was 16-5 in the postseason, including three Super Bowl titles. His .683 winning percentage ranks third in NFL history. Gibbs won Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. Gibbs only had one losing season and won 10 or more games eight times in 12 seasons.
Charlie Joiner
Wide receiver - Houston (1969-72), Cincinnati (1972-75), San Diego (1976-86)
Although 92 players were taken before him in the 1969 draft, the Grambling State alumnus finished his NFL career with 750 catches for 12,146 yards and 65 touchdowns. Seven times he caught 50 or more passes in a season and three times he topped 70 receptions. He played more seasons as a receiver than any player ever and ranks fifth all-time in receptions.
Mel Renfro
Cornerback, safety - Dallas (1964-77)
An All-America halfback and track star at Oregon, he excelled in the secondary and as a kick-returner for the Cowboys. Renfro was selected to the Pro Bowl his first 10 seasons. He had 52 interceptions, and set up the Dallas offense with more than 3,000 yards in kick returns. His final game, fittingly, was a victory in the 1978 Super Bowl.
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is headed for theby CNBPro Football Hall of Fame. color. (headshots) Creekmur, Dierdorf,
Gibbs, Joiner, Renfro. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL