The NFL has announced its Hall of Famer’s for 2012. There are some excellent names on the list like Willie Roaf and Curtis Martin. However, three big names were left off the ballot, all three of which clearly should be in the hall.
The first and most obvious to me is Cris Carter. Retiring in 2002, Carter became eligible in 2007. Here’s a quick rundown of his accomplishments. 1101 receptions, 13 899 yards, 130 touchdowns. When he retired that puts him number two in career receptions and touchdowns (behind only Jerry Rice, and Marvin Harrison has since passed his receptions with Randy Moss and Terrell Owens passing his touchdowns). He was an eight time pro-bowler, a member of the 1990s all decade team, a three time man of the year (for off-field achievements) and belongs to the Vikings Ring of Honor.
If being the second best receiver of his time, and probably the fourth best of all time isn’t enough to make it into the Hall, then what is? I continue to believe that Carter does not make it into Canton based solely on his poor reputation during his career at Ohio State and his three years in Philadelphia. Carter signed with an agent prior to his senior season, thus losing his eligibility. While in Philly, Carter had drug and alcohol problems but managed to turn his life around due to coach Buddy Ryan.
If not for these four years of controversy, I fully believe that Carter would be in the Hall already. This man has become an advocate for change in people’s lives (as evidenced by his three Man of the Year awards). Forgiveness is due, put him in the Hall already.
And if a guy like Carter who cleaned up his act can’t make it into the Hall, what hope does that give great receivers like Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, guys who have consistently been poor character players and bad teammates?
Lesson for the kinds? Don’t do drugs and always be a leader off the field, because it doesn’t matter how good you are on the field.
The second candidate left out is coach Bill Parcells. The Big Tuna became eligible this year as a coach, and has a staggering record of success both as an on-field coach and an off-field developer. Winning two Superbowls with the Giants (’86 and ’90), compiling a 172-130-1 record in the regular season and a 11-8 record in the postseason, Parcells deserves a nomination based solely on his on-field achievements.
To me, however, it’s his record as a developer than stands out most. Both coaches in the Superbowl today were members of 1990 Giants staff (Coughlin as WR coach and Belichick as DC). Other coaches on Parcells staff that have moved on into HC positions include Sean Payton (New Orleans), Charlie Weis (University of Kansas and Notre Dame), Romeo Crennel (Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs) and Tony Sparano (Miami Dolphins). Parcells tough love style is evident in all of these coaches today, and his top-down discipline has created winners out of his players, coaches and teams on a consistent basis.
The third, and final member left out is Mr. Raider Tim Brown. Brown retired with 1094 receptions, 14 934 yards, 19 683 all-purpose yards and 105 touchdowns. 9 Probowls and 1990s all decade, and eligible since 2010, Brown adds more proof to the theory that it’s incredibly hard to make the Hall as a WR. This one I’m less upset with, as Carter deserves the nod first, but it’s worth noting that Brown deserves the Hall as well.
The Hall of Fame class of each year is voted in by a 44 person committee consisting mostly of sportswriters. I wonder who former players and coaches would vote in?
Doug Holt
