IRVING, Texas — Pine Bluff native Willie Roaf is among 14 players and two coaches selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The 2014 class was announced Thursday. Induction ceremonies are set for Dec. 9 in New York.
Roaf, a Louisiana Tech offensive lineman from 1990-92, was the Bulldogs’ first All-American offensive lineman since 1946. The eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 1993 NFL Draft, Roaf was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13-year career with the Saints and Kansas City Chiefs.
Roaf, a 1988 Pine Bluff High alumnus, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
This year’s class also includes former NFL first-round draft picks Derrick Thomas, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe, Tony Boselli, Shane Conlan, Darrin Nelson and Dave Butz.
Dre’ Bly, Joe Hamilton, John Huard, John Sciarra, Leonard Smith and Wesley Walls rounded out the 14 players inducted.
Mike Bellotti and Jerry Moore were the only two coaches inducted.
“We are extremely proud to announce the 2014 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Ole Miss. “Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments at the new Hall of Fame in Atlanta as an inspiration to future generations.”
Thomas, a linebacker at Alabama from 1985-88, concluded his career as the NCAA FBS leader in career sacks with 52. The 1988 Butkus Award winner as the top linebacker in the country, Thomas set the school record with 27 sacks as a senior.
Selected with the fourth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Thomas spent his entire 11-year career with the Chiefs. The Miami native passed away on Feb. 8, 2000 at the age of 33 following an automobile accident that left him paralyzed.
Tomlinson, a TCU running back from 1997-2000, led the nation in rushing in both 1999 (1,850) and 2000 (2,158). He won the Doak Walker Award in 2000, recognizing the nation’s top running back.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, Tomlinson spent time with the Chargers and Jets during his 11-year career. The 2006 NFL MVP twice led the league in rushing, and he finished his career fifth all-time in rushing yards (13,684) and second in career rushing touchdowns (145).
Sharpe, a South Carolina wide receiver from 1983-87, set school records for single-season receptions (74), career receptions (169), single-season receiving yards (1,106) and career receiving yards (2,497).
The seventh overall selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 1988 NFL Draft, Sharpe played seven seasons for the Packers. The five-time Pro Bowl selection led the league in receiving three times before his retirement.
Bellotti went 137-80-2 at Chico State, California (1984-88) and Oregon (1995-2008). The winningest coach in Oregon football history, Bellotti took the Ducks to 12 bowl games in 14 seasons, including a win in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2001 season.
Moore posted a 242-135-2 record at North Texas (1979-80), Texas Tech (1981-85) and Appalachian State (1989-2012). The winningest coach in both Southern Conference and Appalachian State history, Moore became the first coach to lead a team to three consecutive FCS national championships, guiding the Mountaineers to titles from 2005-07.