"Centennial Class"

With the spirit of the NFL's 100th season/100th Anniversary in the air there's been talk for a while that the Pro Football Hall of Fame might have some sort of "Centennial Class." There's a growing list of players, coaches, and contributors that have been waiting, some for a very long time, for the Hall of Fame recognition that they deserve. This "Centennial Class" would be a Hall of Fame Class that would clear out some of that backlog. Well, it's a little more than talk now. The Hall's now-former executive director Joe Horrigan said during an appearance on the Talk of Fame Network that a special class of inductees "is going to happen."

“Let me put it this way,” Horrigan said. “It has been, in principle, approved. Our board meets later this month – our Hall-of-Fame board of directors – and we’ll go to them again with more detailed plans different from what we produced for them two months ago.

“But I will tell you this: We do not have the final blessing on it, only because we have to work out details. Now the question of whether or not they support the idea that everybody does [isn’t really a question]. . . .Now we just have to come down with what the size of the class would be, how they will be selected and who will do it.”

So, the details still have to be worked out but it sure looks like there will be a big "make-up" class. There are dozens of players and coaches that are deserving of being in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Every team's fanbase can rattle off a player, or two, or three, or a coach that has been robbed. This 'Centennial Class" will put a dent in the numbers on the outside of the Hall.

With this news, the mind races. Who should be part of this "Centennial Class?" Without much thought because over the years I've already put a lot of thought into it, here are a few players that should have their long Hall wait come to an end. A few have been waiting damn near a century.

Duke Slater
Lavvie Dilweg
Verne Lewellen
Glenn Presnell
Marshall Goldberg
Pat Harder
Al Wistert
Mac Speedie
Dick Barwegen
Charlie Conerly
Joe Fortunato
Alex Karras
Tom Sestak
Bobby Boyd
Eddie Meador
Chuck Howley
Cliff Harris
L.C. Greenwood
Cliff Branch
Ken Anderson
Ken Riley
Lemar Parrish
Randy Gradishar
Mike Kenn
Chuck Foreman

There's 25 players that simply required a quick flash through the first 60 years of the league. Then there are coaches like Clark Shaugnessy, Buddy Parker, Jim Lee Howell, and Don Coryell that should be in the discussion. Among the contributors, there's Carl Storck and Steve Sabol. I really think that this "Centennial Class" should focus on the players, coaches, and contributors from 1920-80, with an emphasis on the first few decades. Those guys have been waiting far too long.

The Curious Case of Jim Marshall
I may be the only fan of the Minnesota Vikings that isn't sold on Jim Marshall's Hall of Fame candidacy. I've wrestled with this for decades. There was no more important Vikings player during the franchise's first two decades. He was the heart of those teams. The two most important figures in the entire history of the Minnesota Vikings are probably Bud Grant and Jim Marshall. It's obvious why so many fans love the man and demand that he get Hall of Fame recognition. Marshall wasn't just the leader of the team, the heart of the team. He was a terrific football player. He has some nice NFL records and statistics:

NFL Records:
Most seasons played by a defensive player: 20 (tied with Darrell Green and Junior Seau)
Most complete seasons played by a defensive player: 20
Most consecutive games played by a defensive player: 282
Most consecutive regular season games played by a defensive player: 270
Most consecutive game starts by a defensive player: 282
Most consecutive regular season starts played by a defensive player: 270
Most fumbles recovered:30
Most Opponent's fumbles recovered: 29

The Vikings credit Marshall with 127 career sacks.

Since sacks weren't an official statistic until 1982 his sack numbers are unofficial. If they were official, Marshall would have a half sack more than Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas, 26.5 more than Hall of Famer Charles Haley, 27 more than Hall of Famer Andre Tippett. Sure, Marshall has the advantage of playing for 20 seasons. But that longevity is a big part of his Hall of Fame candidacy. No defensive player has played so consistently for so long. Marshall was a terrific football player but he wasn't among the very best that played during his time. He made only two Pro Bowls and three second-team All Pros. Even during his best seasons he wasn't considered among the very best. A Hall of Famer should be among the very best of his era. He was the third best defensive lineman on his own team. Granted, he played on a defensive line with Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller. My dilemma should be obvious. I'm not against his induction because he has some Hall of Fame-level credentials. The fumble record is strong. The longevity record may be even stronger. Especially at a time when several voters are bitching about players getting inducted with injury-shortened careers. Is it possible for a player to have Hall of Fame-level credentials but not be one of the very best players at the time that he played? Jim Marshall is that player for me. If he is part of the "Centennial Class" I wouldn't complain. I'd celebrate it. I'd fly to Canton to see his induction. Jim Marshall has always been a Hall of Famer in my heart because he always put everything he had into the game. I have too much respect for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the game's history to force one of the my heroes into a place I'm not certain his career merits. It's a true dilemma. One thing that isn't a dilemma is that I'll be happier if he's part of this "Centennial Class" than if he isn't.