Shea, Herrera elected to USFL/WFL Hall of Fame

Gregory Shea

The USFL/WFL leader in all-around yardage and one of its elite defensive backs over the league's first eight seasons were both elected to the USFL/WFL Hall of Fame by a vote of the league's coaches.

Gregory Shea of the Memphis Showboats was All-Pro twice, as a kick returner (1977) and running back (1978). Shea is the league's all-time leader in kickoff return TDs (17), including a record three in one game vs. the Detroit Wheels in 1977. He averaged 48 yards on his 25 kickoff returns that season. Shea averaged 36 yards per kickoff return and 6.7 yards per punt return for his eight-year career and also rushed for 8.674 yards and 34 TDs and caught 316 passes for 3,249 yards and 24 more TDs.

Allen Herrera

Allen Herrera was Oklahoma's first-round pick in the 1974 allocation draft, and he certainly did not disappoint. When he retired after eight seasons, Herrera was the club's all-time leader in tackles (756) and interceptions (37) and allowed only 43 percent of passes against him to be completed. The 1974 All-Pro also had standout seasons in 1977 (8 INT), 1979 (8 INT) and 1981 (7 INT).

Shea and Herrera both were named on 24 of 31 ballots cast (77 percent). Three other players were named by 61 percent of the voters and will return to the ballot next year: Boston offensive lineman Charles Bukowski, Southern California linebacker James Kelley, and Los Angeles Express wide receiver Santiago Smith.

Only four players failed to receive the 25 percent of votes necessary to return to the 1983 ballot.

Here are the final vote totals (click to enlarge):