Aikman, Wright get Hall call
Michael Irvin falls short for second time
04:52 PM CST on Saturday, February 4, 2006
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
DETROIT – Troy Aikman and Rayfield Wright never played together during their careers with the Cowboys, but they will soon be teammates.
On Saturday, Aikman and Wright were selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, becoming the sixth and seventh players in team history to earn the sport’s highest honor.
For the second straight year, Michael Irvin, the Cowboys’ all-time leading receiver, did not make the final cut and will likely be on the ballot again in 2007.
The ceremony will take place in Canton, Ohio, the weekend of Aug. 5-6.
Aikman thanked many of his former teammates and coaches, including his coach at UCLA, Terry Donahue, and Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
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Two years ago, Wright made it to the final six of the voting process, along with former teammate Bob Hayes, and did not get in. Again a Veterans Committee candidate this year, Wright finally took the place so many of his former teammates, such as Staubach and Calvin Hill and opponents, such as Deacon Jones and Jack Youngblood, felt he had earned.
Wright is the only offensive tackle to play in five Super Bowls, and he was selected to six Pro Bowls and was a four-time All-NFL selection. He helped clear the way for the first five 1,000-yard rushers in franchise history.
Somewhat easing his pain from the earlier Hall of Fame snub, Wright was inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2004.
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