Tag: hall of fame finalists

Senior finalist Art Powell kept out of Hall of Fame class of 2024

Raiders legend Art Powell becomes first Senior finalist in 12 years not to be voted in

Being named a Senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a virtual lock for induction in recent years. In fact, every Senior finalist since 2010 had gotten a bronze bust. So wouldn’t you know it, the first time it happened in more than a decade, it was a Raiders legend who was voted down and kept out.

Art Powell was among three players who were named Senior finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two were Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael.

Gradishar and McMichael made it. Powell did not.

It was bad enough that it took the senior committee in order for Raiders greats Ray Guy, Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch to get into the Hall of Fame, but now they’re finding ways to reject them through this route as well.

It’s been 55 years since Powell, who died in 2015, played his final game. But he still holds some lofty franchise and league records to this day.

He had 81 touchdown catches in 105 games, giving him an average of 0.77 touchdowns per game. That’s second-highest ever behind only Don Hutson (0.85).

Powell led the league in receiving in 1963 (1,304), and his 16 touchdowns that season are still the franchise record. He put up a franchise-record 247 yards in a single game that year. He outdid his receiving yardage the following season. His 1,361 yards are still third in franchise history.

But when it comes to recognition among the game’s greats, Powell got snubbed again. And with former cornerback Eric Allen also not making the cut among modern-era finalists, the Raiders have been shut out from the Hall of Fame class this year.

Raiders CB Eric Allen named modern-era finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024

CB Eric Allen named modern-era finalist for Hall of Fame class of 2024

And then there were 15.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has trimmed their list of nominees for the class of 2024 to 15 finalists. And Raiders great CB Eric Allen is among them.

You can see the full list of finalists here.

Allen played the final four years of his 14-year career with the Raiders. He revived his career in those years, collecting 16 interceptions and 46 pass breakups including four playoff games.

Allen made six Pro Bowls over his career, including one All Pro. All happened while with the Eagles and Saints.

While Allen is the only modern-era finalist for the Raiders, the franchise also has a Senior Committee finalist in receiver Art Powell.

The Raiders have gotten several of their greats in the Hall of Fame via the Senior committee over the past few years including Ray Guy, Ken Stabler, and Cliff Branch.

The inductees will be announced as part of the NFL Honors show on February 8 in Las Vegas.

Antonio Gates named Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist

The eight-time Pro Bowler was among 15 finalists for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chargers great Antonio Gates was among 15 modern-era finalists named on Wednesday for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gates never played college football despite initially enrolling at Michigan State with the hopes of playing basketball and football. He transferred to two schools before ending up at Kent State.

This is where he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA tournament. He switched to football after graduation, signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

Little did many know when Gates entered the league that he would go on to be one of the best to play the sport and revolutionize the tight end position.

Gates finished his 16-year career, all with the Bolts, with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. His 116 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history.

Gates was a five-time All-Pro selection and made eight Pro Bowl teams.

Gates was recently inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

Here are the 15 modern-era finalists:

  •     Eric Allen, cornerback
  •     Jared Allen, defensive end
  •     Willie Anderson, offensive tackle
  •     Jahri Evans, guard
  •     Dwight Freeney, defensive end
  •     Antonio Gates, tight end
  •     Rodney Harrison, safety
  •     Devin Hester, punt returner/kick returner/wide receiver
  •     Torry Holt, wide receiver
  •     Andre Johnson, wide receiver
  •     Julius Peppers, defensive end
  •     Fred Taylor, running back
  •     Reggie Wayne, wide receiver
  •     Patrick Willis, linebacker
  •     Darren Woodson, safety

The Class of 2024 will be unveiled before Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, NV. The class will be announced live on the “NFL Honors” telecast on February 8. They will then be enshrined in August in Canton, OH.

Former Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander snubbed for Hall of Fame

Former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has been snubbed from the 2021 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Every year, the NFL inducts new legends into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For the 2021 class, the finalists were named on Tuesday. The class includes several first-time eligible icons such as quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, and defensive end Jared Allen.

However, there appears to be a glaring omission among the 25 finalists . . .  Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander.

Alexander is perhaps the most underappreciated, great running back. He is a former league MVP, an All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler, a member of the 2000’s Hall of Fame Team, and a former cover athlete for the popular Madden franchise. Despite playing in geographically isolated Seattle in the era before social media, Alexander was certainly a household name.

 

Alexander was the undisputed face of the Seahawks, and during his MVP year of 2005, he carried Seattle to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance with 1,880 yards and a then-NFL record 27 rushing touchdowns.

During his career, Alexander dominated the league en route to 100 career rushing touchdowns, which is tied with current Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk for No. 8 all-time in NFL history. Every other running back who has more touchdowns than Alexander is all enshrined in Canton, OH with the exception of Adrian Peterson, who is still actively playing football.

Alexander may only have 9,435 rushing yards over his career, but it is more than Hall of Famers Earl Campbell, Jim Taylor, Larry Csonka and Terrell Davis.

Unfortunately, what is probably hurting Alexander’s chances the most is the fact he does not have a Super Bowl title next to his name, which is rather unfair to judge greatness in regards to a championship ring considering other running backs in the Hall currently do not have one either.

Alexander has been eligible for the Hall of Fame since 2013. It is high time he is given serious consideration for the highest honors the league can bestow upon a player.

The Seahawks currently have 12 players attributed to the team who are currently in the Hall of Fame. However, of those 12, only four would be considered as true Seahawks legends, as the others are better known for their play with other teams, and only spent a short while in Seattle, such as wide receiver Jerry Rice.

When Alexander eventually gets his due, he will be the sixth, and his No. 37 jersey will hang from the rafters of Lumen Field alongside the likes of Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy, Kenny Easley, and Walter Jones – the man who helped pave the way for Alexander’s legendary career.

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