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About Time
By mikeforman in Forman Flashes
January 31, 2009

The NFL Hall of Fame is finally opening its doors to "Bullet" Bob Hayes.

Hayes won gold medals in the 100-meter dash and 4 x 100 meter relay at the 1964 Olympics before joining the Dallas Cowboys asa wide receiver.

Hayes not only could run, but he could catch the ball. His speed forced defenses to abandon man-to-to man coverage and  go more to zone defenses. Hayes changed the way the game was played.

Hayes had his personal demons like other members of the Hall of Fame, but I cannot understand why it took so long for him to get in the Hall of Fame. He  became eligible to be elected to the Hall of Fame 28 years ago.

I was fortuante to see Hayes play a number of times in Dallas and he was just an amazing athlete. There is no doubt he revolutionalized the game.

Hayes died in 2002, but left a letter to be read should he ever been inducted. The letter was read by his sister Lucille Hester after the vote was announced.

Better late than never.

 

  

Comments


  • AltonEaston AltonEaston Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Top notch blog. And yes it was way pass due. I think his personal demons as you called them delayed the induction. He PO'ed a lot of powerful people.

    February 1, 2009 at 4:25 p.m.

  • dohBama dohBama Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Good blog Mike and I agree, Bob Hayes changed the game. I never saw him play live but on TV many times. I can't say for sure but I don't remember once seeing him spike the ball or telling anyone to get the popcorn ready.
    Overall, this is by far the best class of inductees in many years.

    February 1, 2009 at 1:12 p.m.