NFL briefs

Ex-KC coach Stram Hall of Fame finalist

Canton, Ohio Former Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints head coach Hank Stram has been selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s seniors committee as a finalist for election in the class of 2003.

As the seniors committee nominee, Stram will join 14 modern-era candidates who will be announced on Jan. 25, 2003, the day before the Super Bowl. To be elected, Stram must receive the 80 percent of the voting. The hall’s 39-member board of selectors will elect between four and seven new members.

Stram was an assistant coach at the University of Miami in 1959 when Lamar Hunt hired him as the first head coach of the Dallas Texans of the new American Football League. The Texans moved to Kansas City in 1963 and were re-named the Chiefs.

He led Kansas City to two Super Bowl appearances, losing 35-10 to Green Bay in the first Super Bowl in 1967 and beating Minnesota in 1970. The 23-7 victory against the Vikings gave credibility to the entire AFL.

Stram compiled a 131-97-10 regular-season record and was 5-3 in the post-season in 17 seasons. He was named AFL coach of the year in 1968.

Ismail undergoes surgery in Dallas

Dallas Dallas Cowboys receiver Raghib Ismail underwent surgery Wednesday to remove a herniated disc and fuse the vertebrae surrounding it. The Cowboys said Wednesday night that Ismail was doing fine and should be released from the hospital within a couple of days.

Ismail, who is likely out for the season, was injured when he awkwardly collided with a teammate last week in practice. Doctors said he should be able to continue his career. The 32-year-old Ismail would have been playing his 10th NFL season, the fourth in Dallas.

Broncos’ Brockermeyer finally dons pads

Denver Offensive tackle Blake Brockermeyer made his long-awaited appearance on the practice field for the Denver Broncos on Wednesday and said he felt “a little bit rusty.”

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Brockermeyer has been sidelined since January following offseason surgery on his right shoulder and left knee.

Brockermeyer, who started all 16 regular-season games as well as a playoff game for the Chicago Bears last season, signed as a free agent with the Broncos on June 11.