It's About Time

On Wednesday the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler and Detroit Lions guard Dick Stanfel as the Senior Committee nominees for the Class of 2016. As is usually the case with the Senior nominees both players should have been inducted long ago. Perhaps the Senior Committee was spurred into action by the recent passing of both players, Stanfel in June and Stabler in July. It sure would be nice if we could start honoring these players while they are still alive.

Ken Stabler was one of the best quarterbacks of the 1970s. He won a Super Bowl in 1976. He was voted NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1974. He was a four-time Pro Bowler. And he was named to the All-Decade Team of the 1970s. Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach, Bob Griese, and Terry Bradshaw didn't make that team. There's a mystery.

Dick Stanfel's absence from the Hall of Fame has been longer and more surprising. Not only was he one of the best offensive linemen of the 1950s he was one of the best to ever play the game. He helped lead the Detroit Lions to the NFL title in his rookie season. They won again in his second season. He was also voted the team MVP after that second championship season. A pretty unique feat for a second-year guard on a team with Bobby Layne and Doak Walker. The Lions made it to a third straight title game in 1954 but lost that one to the Cleveland Browns. Perhaps it was simply a nice coincidence but the Lions became one of the NFL's best teams when the lineman from the University of San Francisco became a part of it. Stanfel only played seven seasons but they were all high quality. Three straight title game appearances. Two titles. Five All-Pro selections. Five Pro Bowls. All-Decade Team of the 1950s. He played his final three seasons with the Washington Redskins. He played those three seasons at such a level that he was named one of the 70 Greatest Redskins. If Stanfel does gain his deserving spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame he'll be the fourth member from the 1951 USF Dons in Canton. Joining Ollie Matson, Gino Marchetti and Bob St. Clair. Fifth, if you include the non-football playing Pete Rozelle. That's not bad for the tiny college that dropped it's football program at the conclusion of their incredible undefeated 1951 season.

Ken Stabler has been a finalist on three other occasions. This is his first as a Senior nominee. He should make it this time. Dick Stanfel has been a Seniors nominee on two other occasions. 1993 and 2012. That's inconceivable! This should be his last because he should finally take his long-deserved place in Canton this time next year. I just wish that the voters had gotten both players in while they were still alive.