Bruce Matthews, #74, elected to Hall of Fame

Bruce Matthews, who played guard, tackle and center for the Houston Oilers, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame today.

Let us be one of the first to congratulate Bruce.

In a phone interview with a bunch of sportswriters at the Super Bowl in Miami, Bruce said he was thankful and humbled.

He thanked the Lord Jesus Christ, and also singled out his dad, a former NFLer, his brother Clay, a linebacker for the Browns, former Oiler coach and USC teammate Jeff Fisher, former teammate and later his O-line coach Mike Munchak (also a HOFer) and his family, whom he said were "ready to melt down" waiting for word on the Hall of Fame vote results.

"I never had to grow up," he said of his long career. "I played til I was 40."

The greatest thing he said he ever did was compete against his brother Clay, whom he described as his role model.

"He was my favorite player."

Other Oilers in the Hall are Earl Campbell, Warren Moon, Elvin Bethea, Munchak, Kenny Houston, George Blanda and ... well, that's all we can think of off the top of our head right now.

Chronicle sportswriter John McClain made a speech to the sportwriters in lobbying for Matthews' induction, so he must have done a good job on it, but we imagine it wasn't too hard of a sell given the level of play Bruce exhibited.

Luv Ya Blue!