Joe Montana, Joe Greene, and Emmitt Smith are among the 22 Pro Football Hall of Famers voted to the Super Bowl 50 Golden Team.
The squad was selected by voters for the Hall of Fame inductions. It features one player who won five Super Bowl titles, defensive end Charles Haley, and 10 who earned four rings: Montana, Greene, Ronnie Lott, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Mike Webster, Mel Blount, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, and former Patriot Adam Vinatieri, the only unanimous selection and only active player.
And the coach of the team, Chuck Noll, won four Super Bowls with Pittsburgh, which had seven players selected.
Also chosen were Hall of Famers Jerry Rice, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Reggie White, Randy White, Deion Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, Forrest Gregg, Ray Guy, and Larry Allen.
Others selected were Jay Novacek, Jake Scott, Ray Lewis, and Desmond Howard.
‘‘The Super Bowl 50 Golden Team is an amazing list of incredible individuals,’’ said Pro Football Hall of Fame executive vice president Joe Horrigan. ‘‘Each name conjures up memories of some of the sport’s greatest games showcased on its biggest platform: the Super Bowl stage.’’
USADA assisting Manning probe
The US Anti-Doping Agency is helping in the investigation of Peyton Manning’s alleged link to a clinic that deals in human growth hormone.
Earlier this week, the NFL said it was conducting a comprehensive review into the case.
Asked about the case, USADA CEO Travis Tygart told the AP he could not comment on it specifically because his agency, best known for overseeing US Olympic sports, is assisting the NFL.
Al Jazeera reported last month that an intern at an Indianapolis anti-aging clinic was secretly recorded suggesting Manning’s wife received deliveries of HGH, which is banned by the league, while Manning was recovering from neck surgeries. The intern later recanted his story.
On Thursday, Manning said he welcomed the review. He said the report was ‘‘garbage from the first day it came out, and it’s still garbage today.’’
Davis’s arm not a concern
Panthers All-Pro linebacker Thomas Davis isn’t worried about his broken arm affecting his tackling ability in the Super Bowl. The 11-year veteran had surgery Monday to have a plate inserted into his right forearm. He injured it on Sunday in the NFC Championship game. Davis said Thursday, ‘‘If I had concerns about hitting somebody or getting hit, I wouldn’t even take the field.’’ Davis said he has full use of his right hand and his brace ‘‘won’t be as big of a challenge as an offensive lineman playing with a club.’’ . . . Browns owner Jimmy Haslam feels the team’s relationship with troubled quarterback Johnny Manziel can be repaired. Appearing at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, Haslam was asked about recent videos showing Manziel partying. He said the team has certain expectations of its players and the 23-year-old has ‘‘got to live up to those expectations.’’
DeGuglielmo hired
According to a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune, Dave DeGuglielmo, who was not retained as the Patriots’ offensive line coach, has been hired to assist in coaching the Chargers’ offensive line . . . The Lions hired Kevin Anderson as an assistant to GM Bob Quinn. The team confirmed that Anderson will head the football operations department. He has previously been a director of player development for the Patriots . . . Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo is the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. The honor is bestowed annually upon the player who best exemplifies the principles of courage and sportsmanship while also serving as a source of inspiration. Mayo and award winners from the 31 other teams will be honored in Baltimore March 12 . . . Harvard tight end Ben Braunecker and offensive lineman Cole Toner were invited to the NFL Combine, Feb. 23-29 in Indianapolis.
