WHAT A CLASS

“Do you think that he’s a Hall of Famer?” This is the question that is asked at sports bars, on sports radio, in barbershops, and among friends who are sports fans every time any NFL player of note retires. Over the past couple of years I have been asked this question about such players as Steve McNair, Jerome Bettis, and Tiki Barber. My answer was NO!!!! in the case of all three players for the following reasons:

Steve McNair – May be the toughest player in the history of the NFL. He played football through injuries that would make someone who sits at a desk all day miss work. He was maybe one yard short of getting in the Hall of Fame (remember “The Tackle” in Super Bowl XXXIV).

Jerome Bettis – was NEVER an elite running back, no matter what Steeler fans think. He also played during the era of Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and Curtis Martin, who were all much better than he was. Also, the media likes to say that he won a Super Bowl, but in all honesty (at that point in his career) he was simply along for the ride.

Tiki Barber – had some very good years but was not an all-time great player. There were better backs during his era. Also, Congratulations on the Super Bowl victory. Oh, I’m sorry they did that without you, actually the year after you retired. You must feel really stupid. You were really holding the team back.

When considering if a player is worthy of Hall of Fame induction, I ask myself one simple question, “Was this player a top 3 player at his position for an extended period of time (at least 5 years)?” All three of the players listed above fall short of this definition, as do most NFL players. That is what makes it a Hall of Fame. It is an elite club that should only admit the best of the best.

If a player is truly a Hall of Famer, that question never has to be asked. Notice, no one ever asked if Rod Woodson, Deion Sanders, or Marshall Faulk are Hall of Famers. That is because they are “no brainers”.

Speaking of sure fire Hall of Famers, the potential class of 2013 is full of them. Six of the best players to ever play the game will be eligible (players must be retired for 5 full seasons before becoming eligible). These players are (in alphabetical order):

Larry Allen – arguably the best offensive guard in the history of the game. He has been named to 7 All-Pro teams, 11 Pro Bowls, and is a Super Bowl Champion (Dallas, Super Bowl XXX).

Brett Favre – temporarily owns basically every significant passing record in the NFL (that is until Peyton Manning breaks them all). He has won a Super Bowl (Green Bay, Super Bowl XXXI), is a 3-time NFL MVP, a 9-time Pro Bowler, and a 7-time All Pro. He has a place on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL Quarterbacks.

Jonathan Ogden – is THE GREATEST LEFT TACKLE IN NFL HISTORY. He has been named to 11 Pro-Bowls in 12 seasons, and was an All-Pro 9 times. He also won a Super Bowl (Baltimore, Super Bowl XXXV), and did I mention his statue is going to have the coolest afro of any inductee since the 70’s.

Warren Sapp – is the best pass rushing interior lineman in NFL history (had 96.5 career sacks as a defensive tackle, that is ridiculous). He was named to 8 Pro Bowls, and 6 All Pro teams. He is also a former Defensive Player of the Year (1999) and a Super Bowl Champion (Tampa Bay, Super Bowl XXXVII). In addition to his football moves, we have also seen that he is quite the dancer (see video).



Junior Seau – played 17 seasons and is a 12 time Pro Bowler and is a 7-time All Pro. The missing piece of his resume is that he did not win a Super Bowl.

Michael Strahan – holds the single season sack record (thanks largely to Brett Favre) and is a Super Bowl Champion (New York, Super Bowl XLII). He has also been named to 7 Pro Bowls and 6 All Pro teams, in addition to being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001).

The only negative thing about this list is that someone will be left out. Hall of Fame rules only allow five people to be enshrined each year. Although all of these players will get in eventually, only five will have the honor of being First-Ballot Hall of Famers.

Who will be left out? If I was a betting man (which I am not), I would say Junior Seau. Although he was a GREAT player. He wasn’t the best ever at his position like Ogden, Sapp, and arguably Favre. He is also not a Super Bowl Champion, unlike the other five. There is still a slim chance that Seau will play another season. If he does, he could possibly be a First Ballot selection in 2014.


****ON A TOTALLY DIFFERENT NOTE****
All comparisons between Kobe Bryant & Michael Jordan must end immediately. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD JORDAN LET HIS TEAM LOSE A 24 POINT LEAD AT HOME IN THE NBA FINALS. With that being said, Kobe will never be as good as Jordan.