Randy Gradishar
Art Powell
Steve McMichael
I didn’t really need any further convincing but this confirms that the Hall voters, in particular the Seniors Committee, have either no clue or no interest in dealing with players that played before 1960.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a mission statement.
“Honor the Greatest of the Game. Preserve Its History. Promote Its Values and Celebrate Excellence Togethers.”
Considering recent voting, the above should be amended to honoring the greatest of the game since 1970. If the voters have no interest in considering players that played before their lifetime, they probably shouldn’t be voters. If they grumble and refuse to research players that they never watched, they shouldn’t be voters. The growing apathy among the voters toward to the first 50 years of the NFL is ridiculous.
This should be a celebration of the three former players that were selected. Instead, I can’t help but think of the players that weren’t. Former Philadelphia Eagles two-way lineman Al Wistert should’ve received his Hall bust long before he passed in 2016. If he’d played his great career in the 1980s rather than the 1940s, he’d be inducted in his first year of eligibility. He’d make it if he played on the offensive line. He’d make it if he played on the defensive line. He did both. He should’ve made it long ago. Because of the ridiculous apathy and laziness of the voters, he’s still waiting.
Eddie Meador? Still waiting.
Maxie Baughan? Still waiting.
Verne Lewellen? Wasn’t even selected as a semifinalist.
Lavvie Dilweg? Wasn’t even selected as a semifinalist.
Ox Emerson? Wasn’t even selected as a semifinalist.
To address the deserving players that played prior to the 1960s, the number of Senior finalists was boosted to three for the Classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025. How did the Senior Committee use those additional spots this year? They selected three players that played since 1960.
Upton Bell is the son of former NFL Commissioner Bert Bell. He grew up with the NFL. He worked in the NFL as a scout and executive. He’s watched damn near every player that’s played in the league. He had this to say about the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Senior Finalists.
“This is the weakest Seniors Class I’ve seen. Gradishar is the only passable one. Powell caught passes against DBs that would never qualify in the NFL. McMichael was a good defensive lineman on a great Bear team & all of a sudden he appears on semifinalist lists. The voters dismissed the 50s.”
Randy Gradishar should’ve been inducted long ago. He was one of the league’s best and most consistent defensive players throughout his career. His long Hall absence was a mystery. Finally, he’s received the honor that he’s long deserved.
I was hoping/expecting a Senior Finalist trio that looked something like this:
Al Wistert
Randy Gradishar
Eddie Meador/Maxie Baughan/Sterling Sharpe
I’d be able to get behind the Powell and McMichael selections if it was done after Dilweg, Lewellen, Emerson, Wistert, Meador, and Baughan were inducted.
There were three receivers among the 12 semifinalists. I had Powell third behind Sterling Sharpe and Otis Taylor. I really thought this was Sharpe’s year. I was stunned by the selection of McMichael. With those great Bears defenses, I was always more impressed/concerned with their linebackers than their linemen. If I was to put a third player from a great defensive line in Canton, I’d start with Jim Marshall. Hell, I’d pick a second Steeler defensive lineman (L.C. Greenwood) before I’d even consider a third Bear.
Congratulations to Randy Gradishar, Art Powell, and Steve McMichael. Now, I have a year to somehow get behind the inclusion of Powell and McMichael.
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