CANTON, Ohio – "Bullet" Bob Hayes died in 2002. Seven years later, he can finally rest in peace.

Hayes was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame posthumously Saturday. It took the "World's Fastest Human" 35 post-career years to receive his bust in Canton.

"This was something he always dreamed of, always talked about and always wanted to be a part of," said Bob Hayes Jr., in a taped message at his father's induction. "He always felt like he was an outcast. I could tell the pain in his eyes. I know for a fact now that pain is gone.

"I tell my family all the time that even though he passed away before he was inducted and might be in his [final] resting place – but he's not resting. He's restless because he knows that last step is the Hall of Fame."

The Hayes family left space on his tombstone in Jacksonville for the inscription "Pro Football Hall of Fame." That tombstone is now complete – as is his football career.

"I knew one day this was going to happen," Bob Jr. said. "He'd probably say, 'It's about time. I've been waiting 30-some years.' I know wherever he is, he's smiling down on us."

The smile is also what Roger Staubach remembered on this day – not his speed.

"Bob always had a smile in the locker room," said Staubach, his presenter Saturday. "I saw him at the Ring of Honor in Dallas and he was smiling then. He had a beautiful, wonderful smile. And I know he's smiling now."

Hayes became the ninth player on the Cowboys inducted into the Hall of Fame and the fourth in the last four years. He joined Staubach, Troy Aikman, Tony Dorsett, Michael Irvin, Rayfield Wright, Bob Lilly, Randy White and Mel Renfro.