Having been a fan of the NFL for 30 years now, basically since I was old enough to read and to understand the rules and finer points of the sport, I have had the pleasure of watching a number of incredible players perform. Certain players have shown the ‘it’ factor when they were on the field. A certain desire, grit, and determination to be ‘the best’ at their position. These are the players that make up the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
6 more Hall of Famers were voted in recently (Bruce Mattews, Charlie Sanders, Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Roger Wehrli, and Thurman Thomas) and they will be formally enshrined on August 4th in Canton, Ohio. The ‘voting process’ is completed by the Hall of Fame Board as follows:
Quote:
The Board consists of one media representative from each pro football city with two from New York, inasmuch as that city has two teams in the National Football League. A 33rd member is a representative of the Pro Football Writers of America and there are seven at-large delegates.
With the exception of the PFWA representative who is appointed for a two-year term, all appointments are of the open-end variety and can be terminated only by retirement or resignation, as long as the member continues to attend meetings regularly.
The Board of Selectors meets annually at the time of the Super Bowl to elect new members. There is no set number for any class of enshrinees but, the Board's current ground rules do stipulate that between three and six new members will be selected each year. The 1973 and 1976 classes of three were the smallest ever named.
Every candidate is carefully scrutinized and must receive at least 80 percent approval of the Board at the annual meeting before he can be elected. A scale of negative votes for elimination that will vary depending on the number of Selectors in attendance is used.
Source: www.profootballhof.com
Each member is responsible for giving a ‘presentation’ for the Hall of Fame candidate(s) from ‘their’ team. Therefore, there is a lot of ‘selling’ involved in the process, which I do not like. The voters are only human and if one member does a better job of ‘selling’ their player over a more worthy candidate, it doesn’t do justice to the Hall of Fame.
A better arrangement, in my mind, would be to hire ONE ‘presenter’ who would make the presentations for each and every player, therefore making each presentation consistent.
Regardless, here are the current members of the Board:
Quote:
Arizona Kent Somers, Arizona Republic
Atlanta Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com
Baltimore Scott Garceau, WMAR-TV
Buffalo Mark Gaughan, Buffalo News
Carolina Charles Chandler, Charlotte Observer
Chicago Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune*
Cincinnati Chick Ludwig, Dayton Daily News
Cleveland Tony Grossi, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Dallas Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News*
Denver Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News
Detroit Jerry Green, The Detroit News*
Green Bay Cliff Christl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Houston John McClain, Houston Chronicle*
Indianapolis Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star
Jacksonville Sam Kouvaris, WJXT-TV
Kansas City Bob Gretz, KCFX Overland Park, KS
Miami Edwin Pope, Miami Herald*
Minnesota Sid Hartman, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
New England Ron Borges, Boston Globe
New Orleans Pete Finney, Times-Picayune
New York (Giants) Vinny DiTrani, Bergen Record
New York (Jets) Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated
Oakland Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange
Philadelphia Paul Domowitch, Philadelphia Daily News
Pittsburgh Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
St. Louis Bernie Miklasz, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
San Diego Jerry Magee, San Diego Union Tribune*
San Francisco Ira Miller, The Sports Xchange*
Seattle John Clayton, ESPN/ESPN Magazine Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay, Ira Kaufman, Tampa Tribune
Tennessee David Climer, The Tennessean
Washington David Elfin, Washington Times
PFWA Charean Williams, Ft. Worth Star Telegram
At Large Howard Balzer, The Sports Xchange
At Large Jarrett Bell, USA Today
At Large Dave Goldberg, Associated Press*
At Large Peter King, Sports Illustrated
At Large Bob Oates, Los Angeles Times
At Large Len Shapiro, Miami Herald*
At Large Jim Trotter, San Diego Union-Tribune
Now that you have been educated on the Hall of Fame process, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Due to the current procedures of presentations, among other factors, there are several players that ‘should’ be in the hall of fame currently that are not. Below are 12 players/contributers that proved their worth on the field (and some of them off the field) and should have recognition at the highest level in the sport. They need to be in the HOF as soon as possible:
#1
Paul Tagliabue
Commissioner of the NFL
1989-2006
What are we waiting for? Tagliabue is a legend. He knew where he wanted to take the league when he took over as commissioner in 1989 and he accomplished every bit of it and more.
The NFL is now BY FAR the most popular sport in the United States after Tagliabue’s leadership took it there. Known by most as a marketing genius, I personally feel his biggest accomplishment was orchestrating labor peace in the NFL.
#2
Art Monk
Wide Receiver
Redskins, Jets, Eagles
1980-1995
C’mon guys. This isn’t rocket science. The guy was the first to eclipse 900 receptions, as well as retiring with the single season receptions record (106) and the most consecutive games with a catch (183)
He was the best of the ‘Posse’ and respected the game. He was nicknamed "Quiet Man" for his quiet and professional demeanor. This may be one reason Monk is not yet in the Hall, despite being a finalist 7 times. He was not ‘flashy’, he was just very workmanlike and consistent. The guy deserves to be there and whoever is ‘presenting’ Monk to the board is doing a poor job.
#3
Derrick Thomas
Linebacker
Kansas City Chiefs
1989-1999
Thomas’ father (an Airforce captain and pilot) died during a mission in the Vietnam War and Derrick, himself, suffered an early demise. He died on February 8, 2000, in Miami, of a pulmonary embolism, a massive blood clot that developed in his paralyzed lower extremeties, due to a car accident the month before, and traveled through his venous system to his lungs.
Thomas was the most visible and recognizable player of the Chiefs throughout the 1990s. He was the best defensive player on a team that was known for its defense and that won more games than any other team in the 1990s. Along with his "partner in crime," Chiefs defensive end Neil Smith, Thomas terrorized opposing teams, especially in third and long situations.
Often compared to Lawrence Taylor, Thomas could single-handedly take over games by shooting around the left tackle with his speed rush. He was the defensive rookie of the year in 1989, went to 9 pro-bowls, and still holds the single game record of 7 quarterback sacks (he barely missed his 8th sack that would have won the game), a feat which occurred against Seattle's Dave Krieg on Veterans Day 1990.
#4
Bob Kuechenberg
Offensive Lineman
Miami Dolphins
1970-1983
Most of you don’t know who Bob Kuechenberg is but he is probably the most versatile offensive lineman this league has seen in the modern era. Kuechenberg played on both the offensive and defensive lines at Notre Dame. With the Dolphins, he saw duty as a tackle, guard, center, and long snapper.
During his 14 years with the Dolphins, he helped power an O-line that led to 7 AFC East titles, 4 AFC Championships, and 2 Super Bowl victories. Kuechenberg was a 6-time pro-bowler and is now also a 6-time finalist for the H.O.F. Let’s get him in finally, guys.
#5
Gary Zimmerman
Offensive Lineman
Vikings and Broncos
1986-1997
After playing 2 years in the USFL for the Los Angeles Express, Zimmerman began an amazing 12 year NFL career (7 with the Vikings and 5 with the Broncos), which included the ‘Lineman of the Year’ award in 1987 and culminated with a Super Bowl victory in 1997.
He was known for being very tough and playing through pain. He is a 7-time pro-bowler and now a 4-time finalist for the HOF. It is time.
#6
Steve Atwater
Defensive Back
Broncos and Jets
1989-1999
Defensive captain for the back-to-back SB champions. 8-time pro-bowler. He was used just as much as a linebacker than a safety because of his ability to lay a lick on someone. Very durable: started in 155 straight games.
This guy has been eligible for a couple of years and has never even been a finalist. Atwater laid it all on the field every week and led a formidable Broncos defense to 2 Super Bowls victories in the 90’s. He should be in.
Nicknamed ‘Ned Flanders’ by his teammates because of his friendly demeanor, Dermontti Dawson personified a workhorse offensive lineman. Taking over the center position from Hall-of-Famer Mike Webster in 1989 after his rookie season, the Steelers barely noticed a difference. Dawson started in 171 consecutive games and made the pro-bowl 7 straight years from 1992 to 1998.
Playing the most important role in a power running game that consistently ranked among the NFL’s finest, Dawson helped to make Erric Pegram, Bam Morris, and Barry Foster productive (and THAT is no small task).
#8
Lester Hayes
Defensive Back
Oakland/L.A. Raiders
1977-1986
One of my favorite players to watch growing up, “Lester the Molester” was the ‘bump and run’ master before Deion was anything.
Hayes was a member of two Raiders championship teams (1980, 1983), and was a five time Pro Bowler (1980-1984). In 1980 Hayes led the NFL with 13 interceptions and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year. He retired after the 1986 season with a total of 39 interceptions, a Raider record shared with Hall of Famer Willie Brown
#9
Andre Reed
Wide Receiver
Bills and Redskins
1985-2000
Reed has only been eligible for the HOF for a couple of years and made finalist this year. He will be in at some point but the sooner this guy gets in, the more validity it adds to the process.
Reed ranks near the top in nearly all NFL career statistical receiving categories. He is fifth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951 (behind only Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, and Marvin Harrison), eighth in NFL history in total career receiving yards with 13,198. Reed is also tenth in NFL history in total career touchdown receptions with 87.
During his NFL career, Reed was known as a highly durable, fearless over-the-middle receiver who was never afraid to take punishing blows in exchange for receptions. He often shook off tackles for significant after-catch running yards.
This is a no-brainer. Let’s get it done, gentlemen.
#10
Richard Dent
Defensive Lineman
Bears, 49ers, Colts, and Eagles
1983-1997
Dan Hampton has already been enshrined in the HOF and ‘The Fridge’ got all of the glory. However, Dent was actually the heart and soul of the Bears dominant Defensive Line of the 80’s. Drafted in the 8th round of the 1983 draft, it soon became apparent that the Bears had found a diamond in the rough.
In just 2 seasons (’84 and ’85), Dent recorded 34.5 sacks. Dent powered the defense to the Super Bowl and in the big game, recorded 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a blocked pass. Dent was named the MVP of the game. In his first 10 years in the league, Dent recorded 124.5 sacks, a blistering sack rate.
#11
Mark Clayton
Wide Receiver
Dolphins and Packers
1983-1993
The talented one of the ‘Marks Brothers’, Clayton was the main connection during Dan Marino’s record setting early years in the NFL. He still holds most of the Dolphin receiving records and ranks highly in the NFL receiving record-books in many categories.
He was known for finding the end-zone. His single season-high of 18 receiving TD’s in 1984 has only been eclipsed by Jerry Rice. Clayton appeared in 5 pro-bowls and surpassed 1000 yards receiving on 5 separate occasions.
For those of you who never had the opportunity to watch Randall in his early years in Philly, go find some highlight reels of some of his amazing plays. Randall was very similar to Steve Young, except he had a much stronger arm. He could move around and had good vision. Cunningham was unfortunate to be playing during a time when the Redskins, Giants, and Cowboys won 7 Super Bowls in 11 seasons so the Eagles never went far.
The guy was still incredible, though, and turned in some of the most amazing plays, some of the most amazing single game performances, and one of the most amazing single seasons by a QB (1998 Vikings).
He just became eligible this year for the hall and he is going to be a long-shot but I would LOVE to be the presenter to the Board for ‘Randall for the HOF’ because I could sell this guy just with his highlight reels.
How about the 95-yard TD pass from his own end-zone after ducking under Hall of Famer Bruce Smith? How about the 91-yard punt ? How about the Carl Banks ‘tackle’ that wasn’t? If you haven’t seen these plays, find them somewhere on the internet. They are worth your time.
