2012 NFL Hall Of Fame Class Includes Willie Roaf

by Chris Thorman on Feb 4, 2012 5:08 PM CST

After a quick series of cuts, the 2012 NFL Hall of Fame class is official and it includes Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Willie Roaf. Roaf made the final cut along with Jack Butler, Curtis Martin, Cortez Kennedy, Chris Doleman and Dermontti Dawson.

First year nominee and long time Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman WIll Shields did not make the initial cut down to ten finalists.

Willie Roaf was the No. 8 overall pick in the 1993 NFL draft, hailing from Louisiana Tech. He played for the New Orleans Saints until 2001, when he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. Roaf played four seasons in KC, making the Pro Bowl each season.

And before you ask, Willie Roaf will not have to make the decision of going in the Hall of Fame as a New Orleans Saints player or Kansas City Chiefs player. The HOF bust sculptures do not reference a particular team.

We'll have more on Roaf's Hall of Fame announcement later. But for now, congratulations to one of the best players to ever suit up for the Kansas CIty Chiefs.

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Congrats Willie Roaf!

First!

by chuq on Feb 4, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

Cortez & Doleman over these other guys?

Don’t make no damn sense.

by MattHoover on Feb 4, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

Sweet! Congrats big man!

by Tyran on Feb 4, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

Congrats Willie Roaf...

Now we he go in as a Chief or a Saint?

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Feb 4, 2012 5:12 PM CST reply actions

Players don't go in with a team, just the player

@christhorman | Read Arrowhead Pride's community guidelines

by Chris Thorman on Feb 4, 2012 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

So who is going to do his Hall of Fame presentation

Vermeil?

by Steve_Chiefs on Feb 4, 2012 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

No idea

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by Chris Thorman on Feb 4, 2012 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

Him and Shields should be doing a joint inductee speech.

That is an interesting question, maybe Mike Solari?

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

Isn't Solari banned from the NFL?

Or was that just a pleasant dream I had?

Should Daboll stay or should he go?

by Tarkus on Feb 4, 2012 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

Just from the OC booth at Arrowhead

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions

Congrats Willie

However, Cris Carter getting snubbed again is getting ridiculous.

by craig in calgary on Feb 4, 2012 5:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions

His mouth is too big.

They’re giving him the Sharpe treatment.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions

If you let Curtis Martin in

you have to let Carter and Tim Brown in.

They are the equivalent of each other in the postions.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

I can see them letting Brown in before Carter.

Carter, like Sharpe, just talked too much and that’s something thats apparently frowned upon.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Well he is a TV personality

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

grats to Big Willie

shame about Will … very deserving of the honor

Twisted Lord of AP Color Commentary (H/T - Loco)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Feb 4, 2012 5:16 PM CST reply actions

Always next year for the Chiefs :)

by Steve_Chiefs on Feb 4, 2012 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

Thank you for your services Willie Roaf

Congratulations on making it into the NFL Hall of Fame.

What a honor. It should have been last year, and it’s a crime against football that Will Shields isn’t going in with you.

Willie Roaf – NFL Hall Of Fame Left Tackle.

That sounds about right.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:19 PM CST reply actions

Congrats big man!!

How long should you try? Until.
- Jim Rohn

by Matt_Grbac on Feb 4, 2012 5:26 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

One of my all time favorite Chiefs

Standing on the corner in a white Godfather hat. He drives a long black gangster Cadillac. He can steal a broads mind, man, in three or four minutes. It’s not how long you talk, brother, it’s what you put in it.

by HIV 2 Elway on Feb 4, 2012 5:30 PM CST reply actions

It was crazy how he would walk like he could barely move

and then he would just explode on the field out of stance with amazing speed and grace. It was really something to watch.

What a Hall of Fame Beast.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

Yep, what a beast.

Should Daboll stay or should he go?

by Tarkus on Feb 4, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

Never seen a lineman so dominant with both pass and run blocking

He’d get his hands on a guy and it was like he tasered the dude.

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I am the Master of Hyperenthetical Asiditry (you know, like this. Only more)

by MNchiefsfan on Feb 4, 2012 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

all without penalties most of the time

The guy had perfect technique and feet.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:15 PM CST up reply actions

Ridiculous size for someone who could pull so well.

Should Daboll stay or should he go?

by Tarkus on Feb 4, 2012 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Then afterwards he would walk like he needed a Charlie Wiesmobile.

It was the craziest thing.

When that ball snapped though, he was grace in motion and his game got better against the best of the best.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:21 PM CST up reply actions

yeah in 2003 about mid way through, it looked like someone might have to carry him back to the bus after the game

but during the game.

shut down defenders, and created ridiculous space in an offense that did require the ol to move a lot.

i wish shields could join him but over 2 Ol in one year is a lot to ask

Pay Brandon Carr/ Pay Colquitt
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Feb 4, 2012 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

One of my all time favorite teams to watch

That line will never be duplicated

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I am the Master of Hyperenthetical Asiditry (you know, like this. Only more)

by MNchiefsfan on Feb 4, 2012 6:12 PM CST up reply actions

a Chiefs and a Saints player gets in

it is a great day indeed. but, if Will Shields doesn’t get in the next few years I will be pissed

In nomeni parti et fili spiritus sancti

by saints_chiefsfan1979 on Feb 4, 2012 5:33 PM CST reply actions

One of the most "Meh" HoF classes ever.

Roaf and Kennedy save this from being a complete laugher.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 5:40 PM CST reply actions

Shields probably gets in if Dawson wasn't there.

Dawson’s induction was a pity vote and I can see them not wanting to induct three olineman in one year.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 5:49 PM CST up reply actions

Dermontti Dawson

was a helluva a center.

He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He is no Will Shields, but he was a really really great center. I don’t think it was pity votes at all, that guy earned it.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions

It was his 8th year of eligibility

It was a pity vote.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

are you going to say that if it takes Will Shields that long to get in?

The voters are to full of themselves IMO… pity votes. What the hell have the voters ever done, besides pat themselves on the back for their thoughts on players?

Dawson was a helluva a football player and that doesn’t change because some voters were meh… about him. There are not many centers through out all time that I would want before Dawson.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

yep completely. was a bit sad at first but when i saw dawson, it made a lot of sense

Pay Brandon Carr/ Pay Colquitt
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Feb 4, 2012 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

Or if Shields played on a big market team he wouldve got the nod.

Amongst the most notable omissions from this year’s class are WR Cris Carter, WR Tim Brown, RB Jerome Bettis and coach/executive Bill Parcells.

Just wow.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

or if Johnnie Morton could catch third down passes from five feet away.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:05 PM CST up reply actions

why would he need to with his promising fight career

Pay Brandon Carr/ Pay Colquitt
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Feb 5, 2012 2:53 AM CST up reply actions

Congratulations Will

I sure wish we had a player of your caliber now.

MIZ-DGB

by mu-chief-stl.cards fan on Feb 4, 2012 5:41 PM CST reply actions

Yasinskas at ESPN is ridiculous.

He goes on and on reiterating how this is bigger and better for Saints fans then it is for Chiefs fans like his division has to own this honor or something. The guy had a great career in both places and I’m glad the NFL doesn’t do what baseball does and celebrates these guys careers and not the teams they played for.

"Give them nothing! But take from them everything!"

by GenericBrand on Feb 4, 2012 5:44 PM CST reply actions

Yeah

Roaf played for the Saints from 1993 through 2001 and then went onto finish his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. His final season was 2005. There’s no doubt Kansas City fans are celebrating this one as well, but this is bigger for New Orleans because Roaf spent the bulk of his career there.

Some of his best years were with KC:

From here:

"All I know is I played in New Orleans, and I played hard," Roaf said, "and I played in Kansas City where Will played in every game for 14 straight years, and we had the most explosive offense in the league.

"We were very productive, especially when we got older. That’s where you see a decline in some linemen, but in the ninth and 10th year, Will and I were still playing at a high level. If you went by resumes, Will would be a lock."

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

I'd think he'd be particularly fond of his time in KC

Just because of playing with another HOF caliber player in Shields, a multiple Pro Bowl player in Waters, and a borderline Pro Bowl center in Weigs.

Best line ever. No one’s even close IMO. The year Tait was at RT and had a decent year, that line had not one discernable weakness.

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I am the Master of Hyperenthetical Asiditry (you know, like this. Only more)

by MNchiefsfan on Feb 4, 2012 6:15 PM CST up reply actions

What a year.

Priest Holmes was the perfect compliment to that line.

Trent Green wrote several books in game, he had so much time.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Not to mention TG and Dunn

Man the blocking was unreal, put a little T-Rich on top and the blocking was insane.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

I forgot about the additional blocking of T-Rich and Dunn

The best blockers at their positions as well…

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.
I am the Master of Hyperenthetical Asiditry (you know, like this. Only more)

by MNchiefsfan on Feb 4, 2012 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

I thought it was all Al Saunders.

Should Daboll stay or should he go?

by Tarkus on Feb 4, 2012 6:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Hey Al was a great play caller

but even Muir would have had success calling plays with that offense.

Dick Vermeil was a genius at crafting an offensive team.

He gets credit for blooming the Eagles, Rams and the Chiefs offensively.

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Feb 4, 2012 6:24 PM CST up reply actions