CANTON, Ohio — Willie Roaf was in an unfamiliar role — the center of attention in front of a large crowd, being singled out for something good. No, make that something great.
With current Saints players standing and cheering, the former New Orleans offensive tackle led a group of linemen into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night, a six-man induction that honored those who relish the less-than-glorious role.
Four linemen were inducted — Roaf, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy and Dermontti Dawson, along with running back Curtis Martin and 1950s cornerback Jack Butler.
The lineman’s speech was short and humble, befitting those who played their stellar careers in the scrums rather than the spotlight.
“You know, as an offensive lineman,” Roaf said, “I didn’t get singled out in front of a large audience very often, and when I did, it was usually by a referee who was singling me out by saying, ‘Holding No. 77.’
“That’s not going to happen today. And it wasn’t too often when I played.”
Roaf was one of the greatest players in Saints history, so good that he regularly made the Pro Bowl even though New Orleans had only one winning season in his nine years there. His induction gave the franchise something to celebrate after an offseason clouded by its bounty scandal.
The enshrinement evening also had a strong Pittsburgh flavor.
Hundreds of Steelers fans filled the field and stands, waving yellow “Terrible Towels” to celebrate the city’s starring role in the evening. Two of the new Hall of Famers played for the Steelers — Butler and Dawson. Martin grew up in Pittsburgh, where his mother forced him to play football to stay out of trouble in his rough neighborhood. And Doleman went to the University of Pittsburgh.
A group of Butler fans sat in the front rows, wearing throwback uniforms — yellow jerseys with black stripes — that made them look like bees.
“I also was fortunate enough to play in the city of champions,” Butler said.
Butler, 84, thanked his family and friends for being in Canton for his long-awaited moment.
“Heck, I’m thankful I’m here,” he said. “I thank you all.”
JACK BUTLER, CB
1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers
DERMONTTI DAWSON, C
1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
CHRIS DOLEMAN, DE/LB
1985-1993, 1999 Minn. Vikings
1994-95 Atlanta Falcons
1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
CORTEZ KENNEDY, DT
1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
CURTIS MARTIN, RB
1995-97 New England Patriots
1998-2005 New York Jets
WILLIE ROAF, T
1993-2001 New Orleans Saints
2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs
