Gibbs, 4 Others To Enter Hall Steelers’ Swann, Stallworth, Webster, Greenwood Rejected

Coach Joe Gibbs and two of his ex-players, tackle Dan Dierdorf and wide receiver Charlie Joiner, are headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, elected Saturday with oldtime offensive lineman Lou Creekmur and defensive back Mel Renfro.

Among the 10 nominees rejected by the 36-member board of selectors were four members of Pittsburgh’s four Super Bowl champions - wide receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, center Mike Webster and defensive end L.C. Greenwood.

Also turned away were defensive back Mike Haynes and center Dwight Stephenson, as well as quarterback Ken Anderson, defensive ends Carl Eller and Jack Youngblood and guard Tom Mack.

Gibbs won three Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins, each of them with a different quarterback. The Redskins went all the way with Joe Theismann in 1983, Doug Williams in 1988 and Mark Rypien in 1992. Gibbs retired after that to pursue auto racing and will be part of NBC’s broadcast team for today’s Super Bowl.

It was as an assistant coach first with the St. Louis Cardinals and later with the San Diego Chargers that Gibbs worked with Dierdorf and Joiner.

“Dan Dierdorf was one of the most awesome drive blockers I ever saw,” Gibbs said. “He was a bright guy, quick-witted and fun to go to practice with. Joiner was one of those guys who’d come in early and stay late. He loved the game.

“Charlie and Dan helped me keep my job. I cherish going into the Hall of Fame with them because they’re two of the guys who got me in.”

Dierdorf grew up in Canton, Ohio, site of the Hall of Fame and remembered watching groundbreaking ceremonies for the shrine and going to inductions every year until he left to go to college at Michigan.

He played 13 seasons for the Cardinals and now works as a broadcaster for ABC’s Monday Night Football telecasts.

“I’m more fortunate than the other inductees,” he said. “They’re entering the Hall of Fame. I get the added bonus of coming home where I grew up. That’s as good as it gets.”

Dierdorf, in his eighth year of eligibility, said he was prepared to be disappointed. “I tried to steel myself that I was not ever going to make it,” he said.

Joiner played 18 seasons for Houston, Cincinnati and San Diego, finishing his career with 750 catches for 12,146 yards and 65 touchdowns. He played more seasons as a receiver than any other player in history. At one time, he was the alltime reception leader but now stands fifth, behind Art Monk, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent and James Lofton.

Now the receivers coach for the Buffalo Bills, Joiner will join exChargers Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow in the Hall of Fame.

“Gibbs was instrumental in making me into the receiver I was,” he said. “If it wasn’t for Gibbs and (coach) Don Coryell putting in the system, I don’t know if Kellen, Fouts or I would be there.”

Renfro spent 14 seasons in the league as a cornerback and safety for Dallas. He was picked for the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons and had 52 interceptions.

Creekmur was the lone senior nominee, a category that requires candidates to have completed 60 percent of their career 25 years before this election. He played tackle and guard from 1950-1959 for the Detroit Lions and although ordinarily an offensive lineman, often was used on defense in short yardage situations. He played 165 straight games and was a member of three NFL championship teams.

Now 69, Creekmur was overjoyed at the honor. He said, “The only words of wisdom I have are ‘Hold on, things may happen.’ “

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