Curtis Martin rushes into Hall

4 linemen in class of six

INDIANAPOLIS — Curtis Martin has gone from the mean streets of Pittsburgh to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The star running back with the New England Patriots and New York Jets for 11 seasons was one of six players elected Saturday to the shrine. Martin once disliked playing the game but used it to escape a neighborhood where his grandmother was murdered.

“When I get awarded something like the Hall of Fame, it’s almost foreign to me,” said Martin, the NFL’S No. 4 career rusher. “This wasn’t something I planned on doing. Football is something I did so I didn’t end up jailed or dead.

” If you make up your mind to just do the right thing no matter what … and you stick to it, which I did, this is how things can turn around. I feel as if my life turned around from what it used to be, and I think anyone has a chance.”

Martin and four linemen were elected to the hall, along with one senior committee choice. He is joined by Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf, Dermontti Dawson and senior selection Jack Butler.

Jerome Bettis, Cris Carter and Bill Parcells were among the finalists who didn’t make it.

“I’m not even close to this position. I actually don’t think I’d play more than four or five years without Bill Parcells,” Martin said, indicating he will have his former coach present him for induction Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.

A panel of 44 news media members voted.

Martin made it for his consistency and durability, rushing for 14,101 and 90 touchdowns. He rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons, the first three with New England and the others with the Jets. The 1995 offensive rookie of the year, Martin won the NFL rushing title in 2004 with 1,697 yards.

Doleman and Kennedy were sackmasters from the defensive line, Doleman at end and Kennedy at tackle.

Doleman had 150 ½ sacks in his 15 seasons, mostly with the Minnesota Vikings, and was one of the prototype agile yet powerful pass rushers who dominate the game today. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was fourth on the sacks list when he retired.

“I am totally blown away by this and humbled by it,” Doleman said, adding his son, Evan, would present him for induction. “When they call your name, you’re absolutely numb.”

Kennedy was a force inside, both as a run stopper and in threatening quarterbacks. The 1992 Defensive Player of the Year made eight Pro Bowls, had 58 sacks — an unusually high total for a tackle — and spent his entire 11- season career with the Seattle Seahawks.

He waited by his phone to hear whether he’d made it after a six- year wait and was happy he had the television on when the announcement was made. “I thought I was supposed to get a call. I didn’t get a call. I had to watch it on TV,” he said. “I am very excited right now.”

Roaf spent enough time in his 13 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, blocking the likes of Doleman and Kennedy. He played one season at right tackle, then the rest on the left side, making 11 Pro Bowls. He made the AllDecade team for the 1990s.

“He possessed exceptional physical talent and a great work ethic,” said Jim Mora, who coached in New Orleans for 11 seasons. “He was blessed with high- quality character and a team- oriented attitude. He was a team leader, always positive, upbeat, and a fun guy to coach and have on the team. Without question Willie was one of my best and favorite players ever.”

Dawson made seven Pro Bowls as the Pittsburgh Steelers center, that rare snapper who also could block defensive players one on one. He replaced a Hall of Famer, Mike Webster, and started for Pittsburgh for most of his 13 pro seasons.

“You never know what your career is going to turn out to be,” Dawson said. “I knew I had big shoes to fill ’ cause it wasmyfirst year playing center. I never would have thought I would be in this position after my career.

It is a great honor. And because of being selected today, my phone has blown up.”

Butler also played for the Steelers as a cornerback from 1951 to 1959, picking off 52 passes, at the time second most in NFL history. But he was best known for his tackling skills.

“They told me I was good. I didn’t know I was good,” Butler said. “I never, ever, ever thought I would be here.”

Chiefs guard Will Shields didn’t get in— the only first- year eligible player to make the 15man finals.

2002 file photo by Brian Branch- Price, AP Elusive runner: Curtis Martin, eluding the Chiefs’ Lew Bush, rushed for14,101 and 90 touchdowns in his career with the Patriots and Jets. He rushed for at least1,000 yards in each of his first10 seasons.