In March, the world of pro football was rocked again, this time by none other than Vince McMahon of the World Wrestling Federation. Vinny Mac brought forth news of his newly founded XFL… the Extreme Football League. Vince promises to bring us, early in 2001, a football league that will bring back memories of a smash-mouth style that use to be played in the NFL. The league also announced a revolutionary incentive system for its players. The program gives them the chance to win bonus money by simply winning the game.

There were some heart-warming moments in pro football last year, but my favorite was the touchdown Kevin Williams, of the Jets, scored on a kickoff return, after missing most of the '99 season with a throat infection that nearly cost him his life.

Then there was the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Joe Montana, Howie Long, Ronnie Lott, Dan Rooney, and Dave Wilcox were all honored for their accomplishments in the NFL with 111 present Hall of Fame members looking on. This was certainly one of the great classes to be presented in Canton, Ohio.

Soon to join these legends will be two of the best quarterbacks in the game. Dan Marino and Steve Young both decided to put an end to great NFL careers after the '99 season ended. Both will be in the hall some day. Cowboys' wide receiver Michael Irvin also decided to hang it up before the season began.

Reggie White, the leagues all-time sack leader, surprised everyone by returning from a one-year retirement, to sign a contract with the Carolina Panthers. And NBC surprised football fans by putting comedian Dennis Miller in the Monday Night Football broadcast booth with Al Michaels and Dan Fouts.

There were many records broken over the course of the season, but two of them were big ones. Corey Dillon broke Walter Payton's single-game rushing record with 278 yards against the Denver Broncos, while the Baltimore Ravens set a record for the fewest points allowed in a 16-game schedule.

The 2000 season saw Vince Tobin and Norv Turner lose their head coaching jobs, while Bobby Ross and Al Groh abandoned theirs.

On a sad note, this past year we said goodbye to Dallas Cowboys' coaching legend Tom Landry. Also lost were Colts' running back Fred Lane and defensive back Eric Turner of the Raiders along with Derrick Thomas of the Saints.

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