Bob Hayes' speed revolutionized the way teams play defense in the National Football League.

That being said, Hayes' Pro Football Hall of Fame induction should have been much swifter than his 30-year wait.

On Saturday, the late "Bullet" finally got his Hall pass. He and the rest of the six-member 2009 class were formally enshrined at the annual induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

Joining Hayes, a three-time Pro Bowl receiver for the Cowboys from 1965-74, are Vikings guard Randall McDaniel, Bills defensive end Bruce Smith, late linebacker Derrick Thomas, Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. and Steelers defensive back Rod Woodson.

"That's what the Hall of Fame is about - having an impact - and a great player like Bob Hayes truly had an impact on the NFL," said Roger Staubach, Hayes' long-time quarterback and honorary presenter. "And he had a tremendous impact on the Dallas Cowboys.

"Bob Hayes was really a decent, caring human being that had extraordinary skills."

Hayes nearly gained election in 2004 as an automatic seniors' committee finalist. In January, he received the necessary 80-percent vote for election. Only fellow 2009 seniors' committee finalist Claude Humphrey was not voted in among the seven finalists.

Hayes becomes the 11th Cowboys player, coach or executive in the Hall of Fame, joining Troy Aikman, Tony Dorsett, Michael Irvin, Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro, Tex Schramm, Staubach, Randy White and Rayfield Wright. The Cowboys have seen four former players inducted in the last three years: Aikman and Wright (2006), Irvin (2007) and now Hayes.

Back in San Antonio, the current Cowboys team recognized Hayes' honor while continuing training camp.

"Special for me is Ralph Wilson, who I worked for, and Bruce Smith, who I was able to coach," head coach Wade Phillips said. "Congratulations to all those guys. It's obviously quite an honor for all of them - and of course, Bob Hayes with the Cowboys family. We're proud of that one."

Irvin, who developed a friendship with Hayes over the years, traveled to Canton and said he's thrilled to see another great Cowboys receiver honored.

"Today Bob goes in the Hall," Irvin told NFL Network. "And tonight, like John Madden said, when I get my moment when the lights go out and the busts talk, I'm going to go to Bob and tell him, "Hey buddy, we both made it."

Other former Cowboys teammates, team owner Jerry Jones and members of Hayes' family made the trip to honor his memory and legacy.

It's a long legacy at that. Hayes helped the Cowboys win the franchise's first Super Bowl in 1971. He played in another Super Bowl, the 1970 loss to Baltimore, and won five Eastern Conference titles and two NFC championships.

His list of individual football accomplishments also are many, and most exemplify the world-class speed that helped define his career:

• He entered the Cowboys' Ring of Honor in 2001, a year before he died of kidney failure at age 59 following a battle with prostate cancer and liver ailments.
• His 71 career touchdown receptions remain a club record. He also ranks fourth in receiving yards (7,295) and seventh in catches (365).
• He averaged an astounding 20.0 yards per catch and 11.1 yards per punt return for his career.
• He scored a touchdown every 5.2 times he caught a pass.

But Hayes was a legendary athlete, not just a football player. He's the only man ever to win both a Super Bowl and an Olympic gold medal, having captured two at the 1964 games in the 100 meters (world-record 10.0 seconds) and 4x100 meter relay (world-record 39.06 seconds).

The Cowboys drafted the "World's Fastest Man" in the seventh round in 1964. At Saturday's induction, Staubach read a quote from Landry after Hayes caught a 40-yard touchdown pass early in his career:

"Coach said, 'Well we drafted him, he had 9.3 speed, having no idea about his football news. But gosh, he'll be a great one before he's done,'" Staubach said. "And Coach Landry was right."

The Jacksonville, Fla., native indeed made an unprecedented switch from Florida A&M running back to track star to NFL star. Zone defenses were developed to counter Hayes' blazing speed, but Staubach said what made him special was his "football sense."

"He understood routes and he had that speed," Staubach said. "And it was phenomenal."

Three decades later, his bust will sit in Canton - an emblem of the impact he made on the entire sports landscape, not just the NFL's.

"I saw him at the Ring of Honor in Dallas (in 2001) and he was smiling," Staubach said. "He's got a beautiful, wonderful smile. And I know he's smiling now."