Derrick Thomas Death

The best measure of Miamian Derrick Thomas' life is that the athletic greatness that puts him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday isn't what was most remarkable. He earned a legacy more important than NFL immortality. Four children attending the ceremonies will be from Derrick Thomas Academy, a charter elementary in Kansas City and the only school in America bearing the name of an NFL player. Four other kids will represent Thomas' Third and Long Foundation, a pioneering, enduring initiative to bring literacy to that city's disadvantaged youth. What is truly special, though, is that Thomas overcame his own hardships, thanks to helping hands reaching out to him, and that he said thanks back so profoundly that he is still giving troubled kids a reason to believe and hope nearly a decade after succumbing to injuries sustained in an auto accident.Thomas' legacy includes a boy named Michael DePriest, 15, who will be in Canton after winning an essay contest. He recently graduated from Derrick Thomas Academy.``They did him a world of good,'' said his father, also Michael. ``Taught him leadership, a sense of community, caring. Overall, he's a better kid and a better student.''To some, Thomas might be an unlikely hero, a flawed role model. Those are often the best kind, though, because they are human. They can relate in a way that resonates.

Bob Hayes

Bob Hayes was known as the “Worlds Fastest Human”. He owns an Olympic Gold Medal, a Super Bowl ring, he is part of the Cowboys Ring of Honor and now the Hall of Fame. He won his gold medal during the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo for the 100 meter in 10.0 seconds. He also helped the track team win another gold medal for the 4×100 meter relay. He became a member of the Dallas Cowboys in 1965 after being drafted by Dallas in the 7th round of the 1964 draft and quickly took the NFL by storm with his Olympic speed. Defenses around the league started playing zone because man-to-man was just not working for them. Hayes played 10 seasons with the Cowboys and helped them win their first world championship in 1971 when they won Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins.He was also voted to the Pro Bowl three times from 1965-67 and was a two-time fist team All-Pro in 1966 and 1968.
Bob Hayes passed away in 2002 after a battle with prostate cancer. His passing was about a month after he was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor. His induction into the Pro Football Ring of Honor will be the Cowboys 11th as he joins…Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Bob Lilly, Randy White, Mel Renfro, Rayfield Wright, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Tom Landry and Tex Schramm