Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ? All-time greats Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith led a class of seven into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

The NFL’s career receiving and rushing leaders were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.

Rice and Smith both made it in their first year of eligibility.

“This is almost perfect,” Smith said. “I don’t think even Steven Spielberg could have written a script this nice.”

They will be inducted into the Canton, Ohio, shrine on Aug. 7.

“I am just honored … to stand up there with greatness,” Rice added.

Nobody could stop Rice, the league’s top pass catcher and all-time touchdowns leader, when he played for San Francisco, Oakland and Seattle. Rice made 1,549 catches for 22,895 yards, had 14 1,000-yard seasons and scored 208 touchdowns.

Nor could they handle Smith, who rushed for 18,355 yards and 164 touchdowns for Dallas and Arizona. Like Rice, he won three Super Bowls and one MVP award in the NFL’s championship game.

AUTO RACING

Martin nets Daytona pole

Daytona Beach, Fla. — Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have secured the front row for next week’s Daytona 500. Martin, the only driver to top 191 mph during qualifying Saturday, earned the first pole of his career for NASCAR’s season-opening race.

Patrick sixth in debut

Daytona Beach, Fla. — IndyCar driver Danica Patrick has finished sixth in her stock car debut at Daytona International Speedway. Patrick couldn’t catch winner Bobby Gerhart. Mark Thompson was second, followed by John Wes Townley, James Buescher and Patrick Sheltra.

Harvick wins Bud Shootout

Daytona Beach, Fla. — Kevin Harvick overcame a bout with the flu and a wrecked race car to earn his second consecutive victory in the exhibition Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night.

GOLF

Stricker 14 under at Riviera

Los Angeles — Steve Stricker was at 14 under and had a 30-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole when it was too dark to continue Saturday in he Northern Trust Open at Riviera. He will return thia morning to finish the third round.

Luke Donald finished his round at 5-under 66 just before the siren sounded and shared the clubhouse lead with J.B. Holmes (67) at 9-under 204.