Cowboys' Haley named Hall-Of-Fame finalist; Jimmy Johnson falls short
IRVING, Texas -- Jerry Jones once said his Dallas Cowboys "wouldn't have been able to spell 'Super Bowl''' without having acquired pass-rusher Charles Haley.
Now Haley â a star on Dallas' title teams and before that on the 49ers' titlists â hopes they won't be able to spell "Pro Football Hall of Fame'' without his inclusion.
The Hall announced the 15 finalists for the Class of 2014 on Thursday, and for the fifth time, Haley is on the list. Four first-year eligible nominees â Derrick Brooks, Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison and Walter Jones -- also made the list of modern-era candidates. The finalists are joined on the ballot by senior nominees Ray Guy and Claude Humphrey.
Jimmy Johnson, who won two Super Bowls as Haley's boss with the Cowboys, did not make the cut. Johnson, who retired following the 1999 season after working with the Dolphins, was a semifinalist for the first time.
Haley, the only player with five Super Bowl rings, had 100.5 sacks, made five Pro Bowls and twice was named All-Pro as his 49ers and Cowboys teams won 10 division title. Haley â a sometimes troublesome talent -- played in seven NFC Championship Games bridged by a 1992 trade from San Francisco to Dallas.
The Hall's selection committee will elect the Class of 2014 on Feb. 1, during Super Bowl Week, in New York City.
