A star receiver on the Pittsburgh Steelers' four Super Bowl winning teams in the 1970s, Swann was elected finally to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in his 14th year of eligibility.

Seven members were elected overall, including former Los Angeles Rams teammates Jack Youngblood and Jackie Slater, to the Class of 2001. A first-time nominee, Slater was one of three offensive linemen selected along with fellow tackle Ron Yary and guard Mike Munchak.

Marv Levy, the only coach to lead a team to four straight Super Bowls, was elected in his third year of eligibility. But the Selection Committee opted not to elect Parcells, who might have been hurt by rumors of his possible return to coaching.

Nick Buoniconti, the middle linebacker of the Miami Dolphins' famous "No-Name Defense," was elected as a Seniors Committee nominee.

The most emotional moment of the day was provided by Swann, who used to make jokes about being the NFL's version of Susan Lucci until she finally won an Emmy.

"What an honor it is after 14 years," Swann said as he shed tears at the podium. "I tried to intellectualize what it would feel like. I cried all the way over here. While it may have taken 14 years, while it was difficult, maybe it will make me appreciate it even more."

Known for his acrobatic style, Swann was the most graceful receiver of his time but played only nine seasons from 1974-82 because to injuries and finished with 336 receptions for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns.

In only his second season, Swann earned Most Valuable Player honors in Super Bowl X, catching four passes for 161 yards.

Swann becomes the eighth player from the Steelers' dynasty of the 1970s to make the Hall of Fame, joining quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running back Franco Harris, center Mike Webster, defensive end Joe Greene, linebackers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert and cornerback Mel Blount.

However, Swann's receiving partner, John Stallworth, was not elected.

"I only wish that John Stallworth was being elected at the same time as me," said Swann, who works for ABC Sports as a football analyst.

The most notable omission was Parcells, who was denied by the Selection Committee in his first year of eligibility.

With the New York Giants, the team Parcells led to two championships, playing in Super Bowl XXXV on Sunday, it was believed to be a perfect time to to elect Parcells. But with speculation rampant that Parcells might eventually return to coaching, he did not garner the sufficient amount of votes.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, players have to be out of the game for five years, but coaches just have to be retired.

Youngblood, a durable defensive end who excelled in 14 years with the Rams, was elected in his 12th year of eligibility.

"I thought of this moment for a long time and my first reaction is 'Wow' what an honor," Youngblood said. "To even be considered in the same breath as people like Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones is unbelievable and to be in the Hall of Fame with all the greats is overwhelming."

Youngblood played in a club record 201 consecutive games and missed only one game in 14 seasons. He played in seven straight Pro Bowls from 1973-79.

With Youngblood as the defensive captain, the Rams played in five NFC championship games and reached Super Bowl XIV following the 1979 season.

But Youngblood reached legendary status when he cracked the fibula in his lower left leg in a playoff game against Dallas, yet played every defensive down in both the NFC championship game and Super Bowl XIV.

Slater played in 20 seasons with the Rams from 1976-95 and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. His 259 games played were the most by an offensive lineman at the time of his retirement.

"It's tremendous to go in with Jack Youngblood because he whipped my butt (in practice) for three years," Slater said. "I learned to be a pro from Jack and Merlin Olsen."

Known as a powerful drive blocker, Slater paved the way for Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson to set a rookie rushing record with 1,808 yards in 1983. Slater currently works for Fox Sports as a football analyst.

Like Swann, Yary was in his 14th year of eligibility. He spent all but one season of his 15-year career with the Minnesota Vikings, helping them reach four Super Bowls.

The first player chosen in the 1968 AFL-NFL draft, Yary played in seven straight Pro Bowls from 1972-78.

Munchak played 12 seasons at guard for the Houston Oilers from 1982-93 and was named to the Pro Bowl nine times.

"Offensive linemen are hard to evaluate, so it's great to have people recognize what I accomplished," said Munchak, who was in his third year of eligibility. "I saw Ron Yary when I was growing up so it's a thrill to go in with him."

Levy provided the funniest moment of the day upon election, saying "It's great to have something to celebrate on a Super Bowl weekend."

Levy guided the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls in early 1990s, but they lost each time.

In his 11 1/2 seasons from 1986-97, the Bills went 112-70 and 11-8 in the playoffs. He was named Coach of the Year in 1988. Levy previously served as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs for five seasons and compiled an overall record of 143-112.

Buoniconti had been eligible for 20 years and his being linked as the leader of the "No-Name Defense" may have hurt his Hall of Fame stature.

"I do think that label did us a disservice because, believe me, we had names on that defense," Buoniconti said. "I'm here not to represent Nick Buoniconti, but rather to represent the defense of those great Miami Dolphins teams."

The Dolphins were the only team to complete a perfect season, capping off a 17-0 campaign in 1972 with a victory in Super Bowl VII and repeating as champions the following year.

Yet no defensive player from those teams had been elected to the Hall of Fame before Buoniconti.

Wide receiver Art Monk, who ranks fourth all-time in receptions with 940, was not elected in his first year of eligibility.

Finalists not elected were Stallworth, Monk, tight end Dave Casper, linebacker Harry Carson, defensive tackle Dan Hampton, cornerback Lester Hayes and Bills owner Ralph Wilson.