Dawson, Butler, Martin and Doleman make Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Former Steeler Dermontti Dawson was among those selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. -
Former Steeler Jack Butler is among those selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012.
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INDIANAPOLIS -- The road for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012, selected here Saturday and inducted in Canton, Ohio, this summer, must go through Pittsburgh.
Of the six new Hall of Famers, four have strong Pittsburgh connections. Among those elected were former Steelers Jack Butler and Dermontti Dawson, and former Pitt Panthers Curtis Martin and Chris Doleman. Butler and Martin also are Pittsburgh natives.
Butler, 84, made it as one of two seniors nominees, 52 years after he retired at the end of the 1959 season. He played cornerback, Dawson center, Martin was a running back and Doleman a defensive end/linebacker.
Others in the new class include defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy and offensive tackle Willie Roaf.
"I never thought it would happen, but here I am!" exclaimed the happily emotional, but usually stoical Butler.
Butler's long wait finally paid off. He played nine seasons for the Steelers before a serious knee injury that almost ended his life did end his career in 1959. When he retired, his 52 interceptions were second-most in NFL history. He was one of only two players on the NFL's 50th Anniversary All-Star team who were not in the Hall of Fame.
"I believed I could catch the hell out of the ball," said Butler, a receiver at St. Bonaventure who was quickly converted to defensive end, then cornerback as an undrafted rookie with the Steelers in 1951.
"I didn't care who threw it, that ball was mine. I should have been a wide receiver and I would have been a good one, too."
Dawson, 46, followed the late Mike Webster's Hall of Fame career with one that now also will put his bronze bust in Canton. He played guard as a rookie in 1988 next to Webster at center, and then succeeded Webster at center in 1989.
He played until hamstring injuries forced his retirement after the 2000 season, appearing in 170 consecutive games of his 184 total, making seven Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. Webster is the only Steelers with a longer streak of playing at 177 consecutive games.
"I knew I had big shoes to fill," Dawson said. "I never would have thought I'd be in this position.
First Published February 4, 2012 6:13 pm
