Free Republic

AZLE -- When Rayfield Wright decided to have his pet mercifully put to sleep, he did what he would do for any other beloved family member.He purchased a casket, burial plot and headstone.One recent spring day, the former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman drove from his Parker County home to the Smoke Rise Farm Pet Cemetery in Azle. This large man nicknamed "Big Cat" for his quickness and prowess, this perennial All-Pro who played in five Super Bowls, knelt at an open grave to say goodbye to a small gray-striped feline.Wright found the animal on a rooftop 17 years ago.He took...

DETROIT (AP) -- Troy Aikman made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's biggest class in years. The guy he threw to _ Michael Irvin _ will have to wait once again. Reggie White, Warren Moon, Harry Carson, John Madden and Rayfield Wright also were elected Saturday. Not since 2001 had the maximum number of candidates been chosen. Emmitt Smith, who joined with Aikman and Irvin to win three Super Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys, had campaigned vigorously for his two former teammates. But Irvin, plagued by off-the-field troubles in recent years, was left out in his second try....

Harris, Wright hurt over snubFormer Cowboys can't hide their pain after being rejected by Hall12:07 AM CST on Sunday, February 1, 2004By MATT MOSLEY / Dallas Web Staff HOUSTON – With three Cowboys among the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it seemed inconceivable that voters wouldn't crack the door for at least one. But with Saturday's final cut, the 39-member Board of Selectors barred entry to all three. Former offensive tackle Rayfield Wright, the late Bob Hayes and safety Cliff Harris were left out of the Hall. But it was Saturday's final cut – from six...