Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 02/05/2011 5:36:33 PM PST by harpu
NFL Hall Of Fame 2011: Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Chris Hamburger, Les Richter, Richard Dent and Ed Sabol (NFL Films)
Former Kansas City Chiefs OT Willie Roaf will not be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Roaf made it past the first cut -- from 15 to 10 finalists -- but was not part of the final cut.
Your 2011 Pro Football Hall of Famers: Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders and Shannon Sharpe. Chris Hanburger and Les Richter were senior selections.
Deion Sanders seemed to be a lock and Marshall Faulk had a very good shot. Sharpe has been denied in the past so, even though he's from the rival Denver Broncos, I'm glad to see him get in.
The most debated member was Ed Sabol, founder of NFL Films. To me, his contribution is incredibly huge considering how much of the game he's preserved.
The class of 2012 will include another Chief -- Will Shields -- so, hey, it's possible we see two Chiefs make it next year.
Curtis Martin not getting in is a joke.
Curtis Martin? You have to be kidding.
Martin ranks fourth in all-time rushing yardage behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders, a pretty good crew.
Martin rushed for 14,101 yards and scored an even 100 touchdowns, 90 on the ground and 10 more off catches. He ran for 1,000 yards in 10 straight seasons, the second-longest streak in league history.
You make a convincing case. What is the opposition’s case for keeping him out of the HOF?
That’s Hanburger, to you!
Not buying what you’re selling.
Well, I have to say that seems like kind of a weak argument for denying a man what seems to be his just recognition.
YESS!!!! Richard Dent FINALLY gets in!
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Martin, Cris Carter, etc. can wait. There are already more offensive players in the HOF than defensive players.
Sportswriters are jerks, too -- and very jealous of wealthy jerks.
They're not going to vote for jerks who treat them like the jerks they are.
Charles Haley was robbed.
I kind of thought he wouldn’t get in this year, but Andre Reed really should get to Canton eventually. Us Bills fans remember his trademark crossing pattern. Third and five, or six, Kelly hits read across the middle. Everyone KNOWS Reed is going to get popped, but he makes the catch, holds onto the ball and picks up the first down. His numbers, while great, weren’t as gaudy as Rice or Carter, but, let me tell you, the kid from Kutztown University was one hell of a football player.
No team will ever again go to four consecutive superbowls.
IMO, Ed Sabol is among the most-deserving of the non-player candidates ever nominated for the HOF. As I understand it, the NFL had barely given any thought to preserving its games on film, let alone using them for promotional and programming purposes. It was Sabol who approached Pete Rozelle about filming their games and elevated it to an art form. Much of the footage shot by NFL films has aired on dozens of networks around the world, adding immeasurably to the popularity of the game.
Of course, Mr. Sabol’s films wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without the legendary narration of John Facenda. Sabol was showing some of his early film in a Philly bar one evening where Facenda was enjoying a quick one before heading back to WCAU-TV, where he anchored the evening news. As the football highlights were projected in the bar, Facenda began ad-libbing a narration. “If I gave you a script,” Sabol asked, “could you repeat what you just did?”
“I’ll try,” Facenda, and a partnership was born.
Unfortunately, Mr. Facenda won’t be around for Sabol’s introduction—he died of cancer in 1984. True, Sabol was the film maker and businessman whose idea became an institution, but it was John Facenda that made NFL Films soar.
The NFL should build a wing for the HOFF
Hall of Fame Felons
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