Martin makes Hall of Fame, Tuna misses

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former running back Curtis Martin, who finished his career as the NFL's fourth-leading rusher and who helped the Jets to the AFC Championship Game after the 1998 season, achieved the ultimate individual honor Saturday by being selected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately for Martin, the man he credited with turning him into an elite player did not get into the Hall of Fame in the same year. His former coach, Bill Parcells, failed to be given the necessary votes for enshrinement.

The others who made it to football's ultimate destination: defensive end - linebacker Chris Doleman, offensive tackle Willie Roaf, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, center Dermontti Dawson and senior selection Jack Butler, a defensive back.

"When I get awarded something like the Hall of Fame, it's almost foreign to me," said Martin, who grew up in Pittsburgh and used football to escape from a neighborhood beset by drug and violence. "This wasn't something I planned on doing. Football is something I did so I didn't end up jailed or dead. If you make up your mind to just do the right thing no matter what . . . and you stick to it, which I did, this is how things can turn around. I feel as if my life turned around from what it used to be, and I think anyone has a chance."

Martin paid tribute to Parcells, who drafted him for the Patriots in 1995 and signed him as a restricted free agent with the Jets in 1998. Martin said it was Parcells who molded him into a running back so good that he joined Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders as the only players to rush for more than 1,000 yards in each of their first 10 seasons.

"If I could, I would willingly, in a heartbeat, forsake my chance of getting inducted this year if it would guarantee that Bill Parcells would get inducted," Martin said. "Parcells has meant everything to my career. There's God and then there's Parcells, as far as the meaning they've had on my career. I'm very grateful that Parcells is just the person who walked me through this entire process. I feel even the years he wasn't my coach, what he left somewhat embedded in my character was different ways of how to be a man and how to be a professional. I know there were many players that didn't take to his style, but for me, he was almost like a father figure.

"I can't say enough words about the man. I'm so grateful that he's passed through my life and is still in my life."

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Parcells declined to comment about his own situation when reached by telephone at his home in Jupiter, Fla.

"I'm just happy that Curtis Martin got in," he said. "Curtis is a terrific player, and he's very deserving."

Doleman and Kennedy were two of the foremost defensive linemen of their era. Doleman, who played defensive end and linebacker for the Vikings, 49ers and Falcons, finished with 150½ sacks in 15 seasons. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was fourth on the sacks list when he retired.

"I am totally blown away by this and humbled by it," Doleman said. "When they call your name, you're absolutely numb."

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Kennedy, who played 11 seasons for the Seahawks, was a terrific defensive tackle and was named the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year. He was named to eight Pro Bowls and had 58 sacks playing a position that usually is reserved for a run-stuffing lineman. He played all 11 seasons in Seattle.

Roaf, who played for New Orleans and Kansas City, was one of the best left tackles in NFL history and was selected to 11 Pro Bowls in his 13 NFL seasons. He made the All-Decade team for the 1990s.

Dawson, a Pro Bowl center for the Steelers during a 13-year career, played in seven Pro Bowls after replacing Hall of Famer Mike Webster.

Butler was a Steelers cornerback from 1951-59 and intercepted 52 passes, the second most in NFL history at the time. He also was an excellent tackler.

"They told me I was good. I didn't know I was good," Butler said. "I never, ever, ever thought I would be here."

Others who didn't get into the Hall of Fame include Chiefs guard Will Shields, former 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Jr., wide receivers Cris Carter, Andre Reed and Tim Brown, pass-rushers Kevin Greene and Charles Haley and defensive back Aeneas Williams. Senior finalist Dick Stanfel was not selected.