PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2012
Chris Doleman will be joined in Canton by five others:
Jack Butler
Cornerback who played nine seasons for the Steelers (1951-59). Was a veterans candidate. Signed as a free-agent receiver out of St. Bonaventure, was second in the NFL in career interceptions (52 in 103 games) when he retired. Was All-NFL from 1956-59, suffering career-ending knee injury in his final season. Named to the All-Decade team of the 1950s. Butler, 84, will attend the ceremonies with his wife of 57 years and all eight of their children.
Dermontti Dawson
Center who played 13 seasons (1988-2000) for the Steelers after being drafted in the second round out of Kentucky. Succeeded Hall of Famer Mike Webster at center. Noted for his exceptional speed, Dawson played in 170 consecutive games at one point. Selected for seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1993-99) as Pittsburgh won five AFC Central titles and one AFC championship. Dawson is 47.
Cortez Kennedy
Played 11 seasons for Seattle (1990-2000) at defensive tackle after being the third overall pick out of Miami in 1990. Voted to eight Pro Bowls and was All-Pro first team three times (1992-94). NFL defensive player of the year in 1992 while playing for a 2-14 team after getting 14 sacks, four forced fumbles and 92 tackles. Had 58 career sacks. Kennedy, 43, will be presented by Dixie Keller, whose husband was Kennedy's agent before dying in the 1999 plane crash that also killed golfer Payne Stewart.
Curtis Martin
Running back who played 11 seasons for New England (1995-97) and the New York Jets (1998-2005). Retired as the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history (14,101 yards on 3,518 carries). Third-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 1995. Led AFC in rushing as a rookie. Voted to five Pro Bowls, started career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Had 90 rushing TDs and ran for 100 or more yards in a game 56 times. Had 484 receptions for 3,329 yards, and his 17,421 combined yards is 10th in league history. Martin is 39.
Willie Roaf
Offensive tackle who made 11 consecutive Pro Bowls. Played 13 seasons with New Orleans (1993-2001) and Kansas City (2002-05) after being selected eighth overall in 1993 out of Louisiana Tech. Helped revitalize the Saints during his nine seasons there, playing in their first playoff victory in the 2000 NFC wild-card game. Chiefs led NFL in points in 2002 and 2003, and led NFL in total yards in 2004-05. First-team All-Pro seven times and on the NFL's all-decade team of the 1990s. Roaf is 42.
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