Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Jan 29, 2024 3:25 am With Benton its more than stats because he helped the Bears win a championship replacing Kavanaugh, who was off to war and was a star on the first Cleveland team to win a championship ...

100% agreed there when you look at the whole body its like wow why hasnt this guy gotten in yet

With confirmation that Devin Hester will be elected to the Class Of 2024 along with Steve McMichael, a great upcoming night for the city of Chicago and Bears fans (Da Bayrse!) Former Bear, Julius Peppers should also be elected and former Bear, Jared Allen, has a chance as well ...

For some Bears fans I have talked to, the election of Hester would come full-circle in terms of the Hall Of Fame voting in the greatest kickoff returner in Gale Sayers and the greatest punt returner in Devin Hester. Of course Steve McMichael is a great deserving sentimental favorite.

Though I felt Hester could wait, I did feel now was the time for election, with many superstar, regular players coming up for possible induction and now that the best considered overall, returner is now elected, does this slam the door shut on future returners and coverage specialists? Its assumed that kickers Vinatieri and Tucker, along with punters Lechler and Roby may get election and who possibly else?

Many consider Hester the greatest punt returner ever, but what about Corradelle Patterson? If he was considered the greatest kickoff returner ever, does that get him future election? Or does Greatest Returner ever, solely belong to Devin Hester ?

Chicago celebrates regardless ...

Jim Benton has been discussed many times here, by myself included. Pretty easy case, but it feels like the HOF regards the judgment of the founding classes as sacred, anyone they passed over was passed for a reason that doesn't require an explanation, and the only instance they're willing to admit they screwed up on is Friedman.

Hester getting in definitely doesn't close the door on future returners, they just need to break Hester's records. That would be the case for any low-priority position.

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:37 am ...it feels like the HOF regards the judgment of the founding classes as sacred, anyone they passed over was passed for a reason that doesn't require an explanation, and the only instance they're willing to admit they screwed up on is Friedman.

Possibly, but I think the combination of recency bias and the perception (likely true) that historic players aren't going to generate much interest/excitement from their fan base are more likely explanations. Duke Slater got in too.

If Mac Speedie can get elected, there is no reason why Jim Benton shouldnt but you wonder if the process of keeping three finalists starting in 2026*, could add a super-senior until the most deserving are in? Not likely though ...

*Edit

Powell getting knocked down this year screws everything up for AFL, AAFC, and super senior guys. They'll probably be more shy about nominating any going forward.

Absolutely JS ...

I now believe its over for super-senior players and coaches. These voters are homers and dont care about past NFL History. They disregard their own peers.

I could also see them lowering the quota for senior nominees to 60 or 70 percent over this... but I doubt that helps any more super seniors get nominated to begin with, at least until they force Powell through, that might energize them again.

TanksAndSpartans wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2024 11:00 am

JameisSaintston wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:37 am ...it feels like the HOF regards the judgment of the founding classes as sacred, anyone they passed over was passed for a reason that doesn't require an explanation, and the only instance they're willing to admit they screwed up on is Friedman.

Possibly, but I think the combination of recency bias and the perception (likely true) that historic players aren't going to generate much interest/excitement from their fan base are more likely explanations. Duke Slater got in too.

For Slater (and Fritz Pollard), there's a convenient excuse for the modern voters to disregard the original voters' judgment, as it's easy to assume they were initially excluded for being black. For Friedman, I think their hand was forced by David Neft's work.

McMichael has been put in intensive care due to urinary tract infection ... lets hope he pulls through.