Bettis, Polian, Seau highlight 2015 Hall of Fame inductees

Former Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf was the first member of the 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame class to be formally inducted Saturday.

Wolf was the architect of the Packers club that captured Super Bowl XXXI. The 76-year-old also had stints with the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Jets, and was known for his ability to turn late-round picks into valuable contributors.

"I was fortunate enough to be able to hire Mike Holmgren, trade for Brett Favre and sign Reggie White," Wolf said of his tenure with the Packers.

Charles Haley was the first player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. Haley is the only player in NFL history to capture five Super Bowls, winning two with the San Francisco 49ers and three with the Dallas Cowboys.

His 100.5 sacks are tied for 29th all-time, and the hybrid defensive end/linebacker was a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.

An animated Haley brought the house down, regaling the crowd with a profane story about his introduction to golf, and a frantic impression of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"When I stepped out on the field, I was determined to be the best on every play, not just some plays," Haley told a captivated crowd.

Former Minnesota Vikings center Mick Tingelhoff was the third inductee on Saturday. Tingelhoff was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, and was introduced by his former teammate, fellow Hall of Famer, and best friend Fran Tarkenton.

Tingelhoff did not speak at the ceremony due to health issues, which include memory loss, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Tarkenton spoke on Tingelhoff's behalf, and had to fight back tears.

"Mick is a man of little words, but a lot of action," Tarkenton said. "He's so proud to be in this class of 2015. He waited 37 years to get to the Hall of Fame."

Former Kansas City Chiefs guard Will Shields was the fourth member of the class to be inducted. Shields was named to 12 Pro Bowls in his 14-year career with the Chiefs, for whom he started a franchise-record 223 consecutive games.

"To my fellow offensive linemen, this one's for you. Without you, there is nothing. You guys were my rock," Shields said.

Bill Polian was the fifth member of the class to be inducted. Polian served as the Buffalo Bills general manager from 1986-1992, building a juggernaut that made four consecutive Super Bowl appearances. The 72-year-old later held the same role with the Indianapolis Colts, engineering a modern powerhouse that captured Super Bowl XLI.

Polian, who was introduced by former Bills head coach Marv Levy, heaped effusive praise on Peyton Manning, the player he drafted first overall in 1998.

"If you keep playing, I may not be around for your introduction, but wherever I am, I'll be thrilled and proud," Polian said.

Tim Brown was the sixth man to enter Canton on Saturday. Brown became the first wide receiver to capture the Heisman Trophy in 1987, and was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection during his 17-year NFL career, spent almost exclusively with the Oakland Raiders. Out of football for 11 years, the 49-year-old still holds a number of receiving records.

Junior Seau was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. Seau committed suicide in May 2012, and was represented by his daughter, Sydney. A long moment of silence was held for the deceased linebacker, before his daughter introduced him.

Seau was one of the best inside linebackers of all time, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 as a member of his hometown San Diego Chargers. He was named to the Pro Bowl 12 times in his illustrious 20-year career.

"I think my father would be completely honored and overwhelmed," Sydney Seau said in an interview with NFL Network's Steve Wyche. The Hall of Fame did not allow the younger Seau to deliver her speech, so she recorded the one she would've given in an exclusive for the New York Times.

Jerome Bettis was the eighth and final member to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. Bettis was named to the Pro Bowl six times in his 13-year career, and is the sixth-leading rusher of all time. In his final NFL game, Bettis captured Super Bowl XL as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.