CANTON, Ohio - All that was missing were the chicken wings, because the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony had a distinct Buffalo flavor. Bills owner Ralph Wilson opened by loosening up the crowd with a few humorous anecdotes. And the chants of “BRUUUCE!“ resounded through Fawcett Stadium last night, even before former Bills defensive end Bruce Smith had taken the podium.

Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes last night inducted posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hayes was among the first four figures to enter the shrine in a class of a six that included former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Randall McDaniel, Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith, a former Virginia Tech star, and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas.

CANTON, Ohio Practically giddy with excitement over his upcoming induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ralph Wilson greeted Bruce Smith in the middle of a hotel ballroom to pose for a picture Friday afternoon. “It’s been fun,“ said the 90-year-old Buffalo Bills owner, who then pointed to Smith, his former star defensive end. “It’s been fun because of him.“

Weight loss was springboard to Hall of Fame career for Smith BUFFALO, N.Y. Bruce Smith looked in the mirror and saw too much of himself staring back. Bloated and weighing more than 300 pounds, Smith had just finished his rookie NFL season in 1985. He was able to manhandle hulking offensive linemen 50 or more pounds heavier than him, but he didn’t look like the dominant college player from Virginia Tech the Buffalo Bills had drafted No. 1 overall.

Former NFL star Bruce Smith was convicted of drunken driving today.

The General Assembly this afternoon paid homage to one its favorite—and largest—sons: Norfolk native and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame selection Bruce Smith.