Super Bowl XXXIV • Site: Georgia Dome • Kickoff: 6:25 p.m. EST Sunday • TV: ABC • Line: St. Louis Rams by 7½ • Discuss the Game • Who's Going to Win?

By Mark Maske
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000; Page D9

ATLANTA, Jan. 29 – The inevitable became official today when Joe Montana, perhaps the most accomplished big-game quarterback in NFL history, overwhelmingly was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Montana will be joined at the induction ceremonies July 29 in Canton, Ohio, by his San Francisco 49ers teammate for four Super Bowl victories, defensive back Ronnie Lott, and three other enshrinees – former Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Howie Long, Pittsburgh Steelers President Dan Rooney and former 49ers linebacker Dave Wilcox.

Former Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann fell short of election. Swann and former Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jack Youngblood were among the six finalists (in addition to Wilcox, this year's senior nominee) chosen this morning by the 38-member selection board, but did not receive the 31 votes required for induction.

Montana and Lott were elected in their first year of eligibility and appeared together at an emotional news conference.

"We had a lot of great years with each other," said Lott, the godfather of Montana's youngest son. "We've been able to accomplish a lot of great things."

Former 49ers coach Bill Walsh, now the team's vice president and general manager, said during a teleconference with reporters: "There's an argument that they're the two greatest at their positions ever to play. There are people who would argue that, and I would agree."

Montana became synonymous with winning and late-game heroics during his 13 seasons with the 49ers and two with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was named the most valuable player in three of his Super Bowl victories. In the other, he guided the 49ers on a 92-yard drive for the decisive touchdown with 34 seconds remaining in a 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Montana's induction was so automatic that there wasn't any debate among the voters when his name came up during this morning's selection meeting here, people who were involved in the session said.

"The honor is beyond belief," Montana said. "As a kid, you dreamed of certain things. You accomplished a lot in your backyard. I'd won a lot of Super Bowls by the time I was 9. But one thing you never dreamed about was making the Hall of Fame. This goes beyond what words can explain."

Lott and Montana each thanked 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., who was seated in the crowd at their news conference. Montana said he plans to have DeBartolo be his presenter at the enshrinement ceremony. Lott and Montana agreed that their 1984 team – which beat the Miami Dolphins, 38-16, in the Super Bowl – was the best of their championship clubs.

Lott became teary eyed when talking about his decision to have the tip of the small finger on his left hand amputated so he could play in a playoff game following the 1985 season.

"We had a lot of warriors on our team," Lott said. "We didn't care about winning. We cared about perfection."

Lott excelled at cornerback and safety during a 14-year career that ended with two seasons with the Raiders and two with the New York Jets. He hit opposing receivers with the force of a linebacker and was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection.

"We spend a lot of time in our lives not enjoying moments," Lott said. "This moment is special."

Long, now a broadcaster for Fox Sports, has a home in Charlottesville. He was picked in his second year of eligibility. He came from Villanova University to become an eight-time Pro Bowl selection for the franchise everyone loved to hate.

"I could die tomorrow and be complete," Long said. "I worked real hard. I gave all I had. I didn't always play great on every down, but I can sleep well knowing I gave everything I had. . . . I was shocked when I was drafted. I was shocked when I made the Pro Bowl. And I'm shocked I'm here."

Rooney has been in the Steelers organization for 45 years and was one of the architects of the Pittsburgh teams that won four Super Bowls in six years between the 1974 and '79 seasons. He remains among the league's most influential executives. He joins his late father Art in the Hall of Fame, making the Rooneys the second father-son tandem to be enshrined, along with Tim and Wellington Mara.

"The players, they're the ones that brought me here," Dan Rooney said.

Swann and fellow Steelers wide receiver John Stallworth again failed to secure enough votes for induction. Swann was the subject of a heated discussion during this morning's selection meeting, according to people who were in the room. Swann was one of the most graceful and spectacular receivers in league history, but his candidacy has been hurt because he played only nine seasons and averaged a modest 37 catches per season.

"I am disappointed," Rooney said. "I think John is going to get there. Lynn Swann – I would hate to think I'm in here taking his place."

Wilcox was selected as the senior candidate in his 21st year of eligibility. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection during an 11-year career with the 49ers between 1964 and '74.