GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Despite a career that was tarnished by scandal, tight end Mark Chmura will be inducted into the Green Bay PackersHall of Fame next July.
Chmura was a key contributor on the Packers' two Super Bowl teams in the 1990s and a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
But many best remember him for a high-profile sexual assault trial at the end of his career. A girl who was 17 at the time accused him of assaulting her in a bathroom during a post-prom party at a friend's home in April 2000.
Chmura was acquitted in February 2001 and retired from football four months later.
PackersHall of Fame president Mike Gage said voters considered the incident during the selection process.
"Quite honestly, yes, that off-the-field incident -- which he was acquitted of -- that was discussed," Gage told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "But that was some time ago. And these are things you can't hang around people's necks forever."
Although the Packers Hall of Fame is located at Lambeau Field, it operates as a nonprofit corporation independent from the team. Gage said the nine-member selection committee meets once or twice a year to vote on potential candidates.
Chmura caught 188 passes for 2,253 yards and 17 touchdowns during his career in Green Bay.
"We're going with the Packers player we know," Gage said.
Chmura will be inducted in a ceremony July 17, 2010, along with tight end Marv Fleming and offensive lineman Greg Koch.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
