Len Dawson Honored At Pro Football Hall Of Fame Weekend For Broadcasting

While the NFL celebrated six new inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend, former Chiefs offensive tackle Willie Roaf wasn't the only player being honored in Canton, Ohio. Len Dawson, legendary quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, is already a member of the Hall of Fame as a player, but he was also honored this weekend as a broadcaster for his pioneering work there as well.

Dawson received the annual Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award given for "exceptional contributions" in broadcasting each and every year.

Dawson helped to broadcast Chiefs games even while playing for the team, covering late night broadcasts for KMBC, and Dawson's experienced earned him early spots for NBC Sports and HBO's Inside The NFL as well.

"This is an unbelievable award for me," Dawson said. "To be in the Hall of Fame as a player was the highlight of my playing career, but now to be recognized by the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster, well, it's just a great, great honor."

It was his work at HBO that really helped move the game forward. Dawson recognized that even as he was being recognized.

"That was a pioneer in broadcasting as far as highlights of game," said Dawson, who didn't have cable himself when "Inside the NFL" first aired. "That was the only place you could get highlights of every game played. Now you get them all on Sunday evening when the games were over. Cable really grew after that. That was a lot of exposure, because I know all the people who played in the NFL who had cable watched that show. "

Dan Dierdorf and Frank Gifford are the only other two former players who have won the award.

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Willie Roaf Thanks Chiefs Organization, Players During Hall Of Fame Speech

As former Kansas City Chiefs lineman Willie Roaf made his way into the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio this weekend, his acceptance speech found him mentioning a number of former teammates and players during his 10 minute presentation. After being introduced by his father, Clifton Roaf, Willie took to the podium to make his own acceptance speech along with five others being inducted.

Roaf was a member of one of the best offensive lines of a generation alongside notables like Will Shields, Casey Wiegmann and Brian Waters for the Chiefs, and he mentioned several of those names on Saturday.

"When I was notified I was elected into the Hall of Fame, I was so happy," said Roaf. "I felt a strong sense of pride, proud of have earned such an honor, proud to be a part of the legends of the game. But at the same time, I felt an overwhelming sense of humility realizing that being elected to the Hall of Fame wasn't something I did alone."

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Pro Football Hall Of Fame 2012: Wille Roaf 'Proud To Be A Part Of The Legends Of The Game'

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Willie Roaf was the first player of the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class to give his induction speech on Saturday night.

Roaf spent four years with the Chiefs and in that time he earned four Pro Bowl nods, three first-team All-Pro selections and he was named to the all-decade team for the 2000s. Roaf earned many other accolades during his 13-year career which also included nine years with the New Orleans Saints.

Roaf was inducted to the Hall of Fame by his father Clifton Roaf, and he spoke of his father quite a bit in his induction speech. Talking about how his father never missed a high school or college game, and how his mother gave him his inspiration and is part of the reason that he is where he is today.

Roaf also went onto thank various teammates and coaches throughout his career, and specifically his various offensive line coaches he had during his career.

He also used the words "thanks" and "blessed" throughout his speech and Roaf was very grateful he was to earn this highest honor in pro football. Roaf also touched on the various players he went up against in the individual battles during his 13-year NFL career.

Roaf also said that he is extremely "proud to be a part of the legends of the game."

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NFL Hall Of Fame 2012: Willie Roaf Chooses Father To Present In Canton

Willie Roaf will finally realize his long-held dreams tonight in Canton, Ohio as he is inducted along with five others into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL's weekend long festivities. The former offensive tackle was a Pro Bowl caliber player with both the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, and he was named a member of the NFL All-Decade team for the 1990s and 2000s.

When selecting his presenter for his Hall of Fame induction tonight, Roaf said he had no doubts about who that person would be.

"In my entire college and pro career, my dad missed one home game and that’s because my brother had a game the same day. He drove from our home in Arkansas to New Orleans and Kansas City for every home game. It has to be him."

Roaf will be one of six players inducted, a list that also includes: Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy and Curtis Martin.

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Pro Football Hall Of Fame 2012: Time, TV Schedule And More

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct their 2012 class on Saturday evening. The class consists of six former greats, including former Kansas City Chiefs great Willie Roaf. The other five members are Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Curtis Martin and Cortez Kennedy.

Following the induction of Roaf's class, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will consist of 273 players, coaches, broadcasters and other personnel. Roaf's induction into the Hall is something that his former Chiefs head coach isn't surprised about at all.

"One of the most impressive attributes about Willie was his ability to compete against the best. The better the player he faced, the more dominating he became. To me, he's the finest offensive lineman to ever play the game. He was truly a "shut-down" tackle." - former Chiefs Head Coach Dick Vermeil

The induction ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. EST / 6 p.m. locally in Kansas City. There will also be fan festivities and autograph sessions throughout the weekend for those in attendance. ESPN and NFL Network will have live coverage of the induction ceremony.

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NFL Hall Of Fame 2012: Kansas City Chiefs Great Willie Roaf To Be Inducted In Canton

The 11-time NFL Pro Bowler will be immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Oh. this weekend.

Sean Payton Granted Opportunity To Attend NFL Hall Of Fame Weekend For Willie Roaf

The NFL Hall of Fame is adding six new inductees this weekend at the annual Hall of Fame weekend which features a preseason game, the actual ceremonies and the first real festivities that correspond to a new year in the league. Willie Roaf, former New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs great, will be a special part of that ceremony as one of greatest offensive linemen in the history of the game.

Sean Payton, the Saints head coach who was recently banned by the NFL for one full calendar year from any activity related to the league, has apparently won enough favor to at least attend this weekend's ceremonies for Roaf.

Yes, Sean Payton was granted permission by NFL to attend Willie Roaf's HOF induction, ceremony & reception. No Saints game, team hotel, etc

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 3, 2012

The Saints bounty scandal is stil ongoing since Jonathan Vilma's situation has not been resolved. Legal battles could keep it going for quite some time, but Payton's arrival will create a distracting subplot to the weekend that's typically reserved for remembering the best to play in the NFL and nothing more. While it's understandable for Payton to want to be at the event, he's being selfish in trying to make this happen.

NFL Hall Of Fame Weekend: Dick Vermeil Says Willie Roaf Could 'Dominate An All-Pro'

The NFL Hall of Fame is adding one of the greatest offensive linemen of all-time this weekend with the induction of former NFL great Willie Roaf, and that means that quotes will be flying around as various coaches and players remember their peers fondly. Dick Vermeil is the latest and the former Kansas City Chiefs head coach had some strong praise for Roaf.

"I've never been around a lineman that could physically dominate another good NFL defensive lineman or linebacker in the league," Vermeil said. "He could dominate an All-Pro, reducing him to the level of an average player. His explosive moves out of his stance have never been equaled by anyone. His ability to get out into the perimeter with speed and grace and then block a moving target in space was spectacular."

Roaf played several Pro Bowl years with the New Orleans Saints before an injury caused the team to change their stance on him. KC then reaped the benefits of another four Pro Bowl seasons.

For more on Willie Roaf's Hall of Fame weekend, make sure to check out Arrowhead Pride for more details and discussion.

Willie Roaf Says Chiefs Years Were Pivotal To Hall Of Fame Candidacy