Hall of Fame
inductees’ next
stop Honolulu
Boston Globe
ATLANTA -- Don't think it came about by luck that Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July on the same weekend their former team, the San Francisco 49ers, will be playing the Patriots in the exhibition opener.
Montana and Lott, two of the greatest players in San Francisco's glorious run of Super Bowls, will walk into the Hall in Canton, Ohio, with Howie Long of the Oakland Raiders, owner Dan Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and linebacker Dave Wilcox, the veterans candidate, who also played with the 49ers.
As part of Pro Bowl week, the four inductees are scheduled to hold a news conference Friday in Honolulu and will be introduced Sunday at the game just before kickoff.
Rooney joins his father, the late, great Art Rooney, as the second father-son team enshrined. Wellington Mara of the New York Giants and his father, Tim, share that honor.
Montana, considered by many the greatest quarterback ever, won four Super Bowls and was named the MVP in three of those games.
Lott, who played cornerback and safety in a 14-year career with the 49ers, Raiders and New York Jets, is best known as the heart and soul of the great San Francisco championship defensive units.
Long was twice chosen NFL Defensive Player of the Year in his 13-year run with the Raiders, and was named All-Pro five times. He was regarded as perhaps the most versatile defensive lineman ever.
Rooney was not only the architect of the four Pittsburgh world championship teams, but he has been one of the game's great owners, working on many committees, and has been a leader in many of the NFL's successful collective bargaining agreements with the union, because of his friendship with executive director Gene Upshaw. The two have worked closely to bring a long period of labor peace to the league.
Wilcox was a rough-and-tumble linebacker with the Niners before their glory days. He was named all-league five times, and is regarded as one of the best outside linebackers ever.
Pro Bowl Week
schedule of events
Tomorrow NFC Team Practice: Free admission, enter through gates 3 or 4 with seating in designated areas. No field access and autographs, and photos cannot be guaranteed, 10 a.m., Aloha Stadium.
Wednesday AFC Team Practice: Free admission, enter through gates 3 or 4 with seating in designated areas. No field access and autographs and photos cannot be guaranteed, 10 a.m., Aloha Stadium. Pro Bowl Kickoff Rally: Free admission to join Pro Bowl players, Hawaiian NFL stars, the Pro Bowl Cheerleaders, NFL mascots, local dignitaries, and celebrity entertainers at a rally to kick off the 2000 NFL All-Star Week, noon to 1 p.m., at the main stage of the expanded Topps Pro Bowl Experience and Card Show in west parking lot at Aloha Stadium. No Hope in Dope Youth Football Clinic: Sponsored by HMSA and Nike, present and past NFL stars help local youth with their football skills and share important lessons on life. Advance registration required, 3 to 5 p.m., Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. For registration information, call NFL All-Star Week Hotline at (808) 233-4635.
Thursday NFC Team Practice: Free admission, enter through gates 3 or 4 with seating in designated areas. No field access and autographs and photos cannot be guaranteed, 8 a.m., Aloha Stadium. Topps Pro Bowl Experience and Card Show: Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aloha Stadium West Parking Lot across from Gate 5. Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame Celebration: Free admission to join past and present NFL stars, the Pro Bowl Cheerleaders and other celebrities honor Hawaii's greatest athletes at the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, noon, Bishop Museum.
Friday AFC Team Practice: Free admission, enter through gates 3 or 4 with seating in designated areas. No field access and autographs and photos cannot be guaranteed, 9 a.m., Aloha Stadium. Topps Pro Bowl Experience and Card Show: Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aloha Stadium west parking lot across from Gate 5. NFL Alumni Legends Beach Bowl: Free admission to watch some of NFL's legends from the past compete in a four-on-four flag football game to be televised on ESPN, 11 a.m. to noon, Hilton Hawaiian Village/Fort DeRussy Beach. Pro Bowl Block Party: Free admission to join NFL stars, Pro Bowl Cheerleaders, and some of Hawaii's hottest bands at the Official Pro Bowl Party, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Aloha Tower Marketplace. Listen to KCCN and KINE for band information and party details.
Saturday Pro Bowl Cheerleader Dance Competition: Admission is $5 to watch the top high school cheerleaders and dancers from Hawaii and the mainland compete in this event, 9 to 11 a.m., Waikiki Shell. NFC Team Practice: Free admission, enter through gates 3 or 4 with seating in designated areas. No field access and autographs and photos cannot be guaranteed, 10 a.m., Aloha Stadium. Squad will be taking their team picture at this session. AFC Team Practice: Free admission, enter through gates 3 or 4 with seating in designated areas. No field access and autographs and photos cannot be guaranteed, 11 a.m., Aloha Stadium. Squad will be taking their team picture at this session. Topps Pro Bowl Experience and Card Show: Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aloha Stadium west parking lot across from Gate 5. Pro Bowl Family Day: Enjoy a day of fun-filled activities including afternoon appearances by Pro Bowl players, cheerleaders, and those wild and crazy NFL mascots, noon to 8 p.m., Sea Life Park. Tickets are available at Sea Life Park.
Sunday Topps Pro Bowl Experience and Card Show: Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12, 8 a.m. to noon, Aloha Stadium west parking lot across from Gate 5. Pro Bowl New Millennium Tailgate Party: Advanced purchase of tickets required for Official Pro Bowl Tailgate Party, 9:30 a.m. to noon, adjacent to the Experience and Card Show outside Gate 5 at the Aloha Stadium parking lot. Special corporate and group packages are available. For ticket information, call (808) 488-0924. 50th Anniversary Pro Bowl Game: NFL's season-ending all-star game to be televised on ABC, pregame festivities begin at noon, kickoff at 12:30 p.m., Aloha Stadium.
