Ex-Falcon Humphrey nominated for hall of fame

Canton, Ohio — Claude Humphrey and Bob Hayes were nominated by the seniors committee Wednesday as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Hayes, an Olympic gold medalist as a sprinter, played for Dallas from 1965-74 and for San Francisco in 1975. He averaged 20 yards a catch for his career and led the NFL with a 20.8-yard average per punt return in 1968.

He was a seniors finalist in 2004 but did not get the necessary 80 percent of the vote to make the hall. He died in 2002 at the age of 59.

Humphrey was a regular finalist two years ago, his final year of eligibility.

He played 11 seasons with Atlanta before finishing his career with Philadelphia from 1979-81. He was considered one of the best pass rushers in the game during an era in which sacks were not an official statistic.

They will join 15 modern-era finalists yet to be determined in the final selection the day before the Super Bowl in Tampa on Jan. 31.

The two seniors finalists are voted on separately. A total of seven can be elected — the two seniors and up to five modern candidates.