11/05/24
February 03, 2007
NFL Hall of Fame class of 2007 includes Michael Irvin, Thurman Thomas: ... alongside Gene Hickerson, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders and Roger Wehrli.
Nice to see the Tagliabue diss, eh?
posted by billsaysthis at 05:52 PM on February 03, 2007
I would have liked to see Art Monk in there. I agree with wingnut on Irvin. The place for an ethics lesson isn't on the Hall of Fame vote.
posted by carolinared at 06:27 PM on February 03, 2007
This has to be the bottom of the barrel for the NFL. First, they threatened with a lawsuit a Baptist Church in Indianapolis if they have a Super Bowl party and show the game on a TV screen bigger that fifty-five inches. Second, they have a crack head elected into their Hall of Fame. This weekend has to be a PR nightmare for anyone affiliated with the NFL.
posted by BlindAlvin at 07:20 PM on February 03, 2007
It's about time Charlie Sanders gets in! Long overdue!
posted by commander cody at 07:58 PM on February 03, 2007
First, they threatened with a lawsuit a Baptist Church in Indianapolis if they have a Super Bowl party and show the game on a TV screen bigger that fifty-five inches And charged money. Don't skip over the part that makes it illegal. Second, they have a crack head elected into their Hall of Fame. This weekend has to be a PR nightmare for anyone affiliated with the NFL. Please find me a Hall of Fame (sports, entertainment, whatever) that isn't filled with questionable people who made questionable decisions off the field.
posted by grum@work at 07:58 PM on February 03, 2007
This has to be the bottom of the barrel for the NFL. they have a crack head elected into their Hall of Fame. This weekend has to be a PR nightmare for anyone affiliated with the NFL. As opposed to the alcoholics, cokeheads, murderers, and potheads already inshrined? What's your point?
posted by tommybiden at 07:59 PM on February 03, 2007
There was only one church that was going to charge admission to help pay for the food that was going to be eaten. There were at least two other churches that were told they could not have their youth group watch the game as a group because of the NFL rules (this goes along with the sell-out rules for regular season games for home field). Not many people remember Charlie Sanders, but he brought about the tight end that not only could block but catch passes and then advance the ball. Thank you Charlie for your contribution to the Lions.
posted by coach at 09:48 PM on February 03, 2007
It's true, tommy. Before Michael Irvin, Canton was the only place in the USA where there was only virtuous, clean, happy, sinless people. Not a felon, wife-abuser, philanderer, racist or an addict in the bunch. Frankly, while I'd have probably not voted for Irvin myself, I'm fine with him being in (and Tagliabue was more a victim of numbers than of any backlash; he's a cinch next year). My big problem is with Ray Guy's continued exclusion. The fact that football players don't see kickers as "real" players, and that no one sees the exclusion from the Hall of the greatest punter the game has ever seen as a big deal really pisses me off. Black head coaches in the Super Bowl? That's great, more power to everyone, america fuck yeah. But if kickers aren't considered equals to the other positions on the field, if people dismiss their opinions out of hand because of the position they happen to play, no matter how right they are, then do them a favor and don't count the points they create on the scoreboard, and put them in different uniforms. Sorry about the rant, but it really does piss me off, and every year when Ray Guy gets sniffed off as not worthy of consideration because his position is somehow inferior, I like the NFL a little less.
posted by chicobangs at 09:54 PM on February 03, 2007
"The fact that football players don't see kickers as "real" players, and that no one sees the exclusion from the Hall of the greatest punter the game has ever seen as a big deal really pisses me off." Couldn't agree with you more chicobangs. I never thought there would ever be a doubt about Ray Guy, yet he continues to be left out. Unlike most kickers today, he was fearless when confronted with needing to make a defensive play and the beauty of his kicks is undeniable. Changed the leauges thoughts on the kicking game. On a better note, I was glad to see Roger Wehrli make it. I hated him and what he used to do to Cowboy receivers but I loved the licks he laid on people. Ditto for Charlie Sanders, great hands and a good blocker.
posted by brbcca at 11:05 PM on February 03, 2007
Yeah chicobangs!They are sure happy when ALL the scoring is done by the kicker to win the game!They're real then,huh?Like many post season games this year when the "REAL PLAYERS"couldn't get into the end zone!
posted by mdavidsf at 08:36 AM on February 04, 2007
As a Lions fan(unfortunateley) I am glad to see a class act like Charlie Sanders get in to the Hall when players like him get overlooked. If he was a Cowboy or a Steeler, he would have made it 20 years ago, but good for him. One other thing Charlie, You wrote IT, God just gave you the tools, including guts and grit to be able to. Congrats!
posted by sydney2006 at 10:20 AM on February 04, 2007
chico, you nailed it man. Ray Guy was a very formidable weapon on a team that was usually loaded with them, his booming punts contributed to an untold number of Raider victories. And without the three rings, Irvin, statistically, is probably not in the HOF.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:42 AM on February 04, 2007
And, Charlie Sanders was very deserving of induction, long overdue in fact.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:46 AM on February 04, 2007
Chico, I have to say Canton is not a place of "only virtuous, clean, happy, sinless people" I live there!! But I am a happy person. lol I am glad to see Bruce Matthews get in. I have to agree with wingnut, carolinared, chicobangs, and tommytrump. It is the Professional Football Hall of Fame not a HOF for blameless people.
posted by steelergirl at 11:05 AM on February 04, 2007
Chico, I agree with you completely on the Ray Guy issue, and by the way, why is Bullet Bob Hayes not enshrined? No axe to grind, I hate the Cowboys with a passion, but that's rediculous.
posted by tommybiden at 11:46 AM on February 04, 2007
chico -- thanks for the impassioned support of Ray Guy. I must admit I didn't really know much about him, but I picked up these (unsourced) fun facts from his wikipedia page:
First punter to hit Louisiana Superdome scoreboard. Ray Guy was known for punts with a high hangtime, he once punted the ball with so much hangtime the opponents pulled the ball and had it tested for helium. The hangtime statistic was also institued in the NFL during his time, probably because of him. Guy is also an accomplished jazz flautist.Awesome. If he was ever a borderline case, these should push him over the edge.
posted by holden at 01:08 PM on February 04, 2007
I heard Ray Guy brought down Skylab.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 01:39 PM on February 04, 2007
Not too sound too jaded but I still think #95 Richard Dent deseves to be in the Hall but I respect everyone who was inducted
posted by luther70 at 02:29 PM on February 04, 2007
Monk should be in, like some have mentioned. Congratulations to a damn good class.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 02:52 PM on February 04, 2007
Congrats to Roger Wehrli.
posted by budman13 at 02:57 PM on February 04, 2007
To me, Ray Guy's exclusion cheapens the HoF, not Guy's accomplishments. He's a reminder of the days when Al Davis was a brilliant maverick instead of a brilliant zombie. My dad still laughs about the reaction to Davis taking Guy in the first round. Perhaps "big players make big plays", but difference makers are difference makers regardless of their listed position.
posted by yerfatma at 03:45 PM on February 04, 2007
Monk should be in, like some have mentioned. Andre Reed should be in before Monk.
posted by dyams at 07:15 PM on February 04, 2007
I was a bit sad to see Derek Thomas not get in. Yes i am a chiefs fan, no denying it. That doesn't change the fact, however, that his numbers are easily HOF caliber. 126 sacks in just 11 years, amazing. I remember his 5-sack game against the raiders, wow (although he didn't play well the rest of the year). His lack of playoff greatness will probably keep him out for a while yet i imagine. Am i crazy here? Is my love for the Chiefs blinding me? I know many will argue for dent, but statistically they are pretty comparable.
posted by brainofdtrain at 09:31 PM on February 04, 2007
One more thing. Ray Guy, yeah. Hate his team, can't deny his greatness.
posted by brainofdtrain at 09:31 PM on February 04, 2007
Thomas should be in the Hall of Fame...I'm with you, Brainofdtrain. Remember the game we lost to the Seahawks on the Hail Mary? Did DT have 8 sacks? The Chiefs playoff blunders aside, DT played his best games against divisional rivalries. And although I shouldn't admit it, I think he should go to the Hall if for no other reason than his bulldogging of the trash talking Sharp. :) The AFC West--Best Rivalries in Football!
posted by ChiefsSuperFan at 01:50 PM on February 07, 2007
If you happen to be a fan of an AFC West team, maybe, but the Bills, Jets, Dolphins and Patriots have been holding grudge matches for years, and Bears - Packers is the oldest rivalry in the game. Just because everybody hates the Raiders doesn't mean you've got the best rivalries in the NFL, it just means everybody hates the Raiders. Other than that, you've got Broncos - Chiefs, which I'll grant you is a nice rivalry.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:18 PM on February 07, 2007
Congrats to Michael and the rest of the Class of 2007. Looking at his actions on the field and not off (which is the way it should be), he is deserving of the honor. It's nice to see Charlie Sanders get in, too.