NEW YORKIn a big turnout of football star power, family, friends and admirers gathered Friday for an emotional send-off to New York Giants owner Wellington Mara, one of the founding fathers of the NFL.

An overflow crowd packed St. Patrick's Cathedral for the funeral Mass honoring Mara, who died Tuesday at 89. Mara, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997, died of cancer at his home in Rye.

Among those in the crowd were former Giants coach Bill Parcells, who came with his current boss, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones; Carolina Panthers coach John Fox, a former Giants assistant; and Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel, another ex-Giants assistant.

Reggie White, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who died last year at 43, heads a list of players, coaches and contributors eligible for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

White is eligible for the first time along with quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Warren Moon. Other first-year eligible players include running back Thurman Thomas, wide receiver Andre Reed and offensive lineman Dermontti Dawson.

Cornerback Terrence McGee signed a four-year contract extension, allowing the Bills to lock up their outstanding pass defender and Pro Bowl kickoff returner through 2009. Agent Terry Bolar told The Associated Press the deal was worth $18 million, including a $5 million signing bonus.

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