Tag: Hall of Fame

Steelers president releases statement about Hall of Fame weekend

The Steelers were supposed to have a very busy week.

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This was supposed to be a monumental weekend for the Pittsburgh Steelers. First, the Steelers were to have played the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday in the Hall of Fame game to kick off the NFL preseason. And to be followed this weekend with the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony were three Steelers legends were to have their names enshrined among the greatest of all time.

But thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, all that changed. The HOF induction ceremony was pushed to next season along with the game. Followed by the cancelation of the entirety of the NFL preseason.

Team President released a statement about how much he wished they were in Canton this weekend to celebrate with Troy Polamalu, Bill Cowher and Donnie Shell.

I wish we were in Canton this weekend, celebrating with Troy Polamalu, Bill Cowher and Donnie Shell. I am so proud of our Hall of Famers!

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All that “noise” has long ago been …

All that “noise” has long ago been dismissed by the 36-year-old Anthony. But it hasn’t been forgotten by his teammates, who have come to adore the player they once worshipped from afar. “I say everybody who was talking, or said something negative about him, they need to apologize, you know?” Gary Trent Jr. said. “It’s Carmelo Anthony. He went through tough times. He battled, stayed resilient and for him to come back and bounce back like it’s nothing? That’s why he’s Carmelo Anthony and why he does what he does.” Added Lillard: “I just find it real funny and disrespectful how people speak on him. He’s a (future) Hall of Famer.”

Jimmy Smith weighs in on Yannick Ngakoue’s relationship with Jags, fans, and ownership

Jags great Jimmy Smith has been active on Twitter lately with his fans. He’s also discuss topics surrounding the team like Yannick Ngakoue.

The situation between Yannick Ngakoue and the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason has been rather interesting, and now even a team legend has chimed in. That legend is Jimmy Smith, who is arguably the best player in team history.

These days it seems as though Smith has been extra active on Twitter, communicating with the fans who’ve been vouching hard for him to get recognition through the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame. In the process of his Twitter resurgence, he’s also shared his thoughts on Yannick Ngakoue after it was revealed he hadn’t reported to camp or spoken with the team.

 

Of course, such statements sparked more interactions from both Jags fans who agreed with Smith, and on a smaller scale, some who disagreed. One fan even pulled up an old article about Smith’s contract dispute with the Jags, which Smith countered by arguing that the difference was he wanted to be a Jag for life.

After that tweet, Smith continued to explain why he’s ready to see the team move on from Ngakoue: because of the Twitter exchange he had with Tony Khan.

As many can recall, Ngakoue came at Khan before the draft demanding a trade. Khan responded by saying that a trade wouldn’t happen until the compensation was right and added that Ngakoue’s handling of the situation on Twitter wasn’t a good look.

The tweet above received a like from Ngakoue, which caused Smith to tweet another response, stating that Ngakoue is at home reading the thoughts of those who’ve criticized him. Smith also accused the young pass-rusher of using several burner accounts.

Smith later explained that he was a fan of Ngakoue, but felt he has been disrespectful towards the fans, some of whom vocally demanded the team pay him for his hard work.

That prompted a reply from a fan who felt Smith was out of line commenting on Ngakoue’s situation. The fan also added that Smith shouldn’t want an altercation at his age, but Smith didn’t seem too worried about it, bringing up Ngakoue’s exchange with Philip Rivers from 2019.

 

As previously mentioned, Smith hasn’t just spent his time on Twitter tweeting about Ngakoue, he’s also spent a lot of time thanking his fans for their support towards getting him recognized. He’s also offered to sign some jerseys, have a podcast appearance for a fan, along with many other gestures to return the favor of the fanbase who clearly loves the Jags legend.

As for Smith getting his due in terms of making it into the Hall-of-Fame, he has certainly built the social media buzz to get the attention of the 48-person Selection Committee. Only time will tell if they are listening, but there is no doubt Smith has been overlooked.

CBS Sports names two former Alabama stars as potential NFL Hall of Famers

CBS Sports names two former members of the Crimson Tide as potential Hall of famers.

The Alabama Crimson Tide is a program known for its domination at the collegiate level, producing top draft picks and having players continue success into the NFL. With eight former players in the NFL Hall of Fame, Alabama ranks No. 7 for programs with the most amount of former players inducted.

An eternal spot in Canton, Ohio is a dream for every player entering the league. However, not all of them will come close to even being considered, regardless of their performance in college.

Is it possible that Alabama already has players in the NFL that are future members of the elite class of players? CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo believes so.

DeArdo named a potential Hall of Fame ‘lock’ from each of the 32 NFL franchises, two Crimson Tide products were mentioned.

Julio Jones

Julio Jones
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was a star under Nick Saban at Alabama and has continued on with great success in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. It’s hard to discuss which receiver is the league’s best without mentioning Jones.

The Alabama native lead the league in receiving yards twice, was the co-leader in receptions in 2015 and was named to the NFL 2010’s ‘All-Decade’ team.

DeArdo claims that Jones is not a lock yet, but has high praise for the receiver and believes he’s close to it.

“…as good as Jones as been, he will likely need a few more prolific seasons to be considered a Hall of Fame “lock,” as he is currently 25th in career receiving yards,” writes DeArdo.

Derrick Henry

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Henry was a Heisman winner in 2015 while at Alabama. The ‘downhill style’ running back has recently garnered nation-wide recognition as an elite back after leading the Tennessee Titans offense all the way to the AFC Championship game.

Henry earned a hefty long-term contract with the Titans. It is well deserved after he was selected to the 2019 Pro Bowl, led the NFL in rushing yards and was the co-leader in rushing touchdowns.

DeArdo doesn’t believe Henry is a lock for the Hall of Fame yet, but “will need at least 4-5 more seasons at his current pace.”

“I decided to give the nod to Henry, who is coming off a monster season that saw him win his first rushing title before he wrecked havoc on the Patriots and Ravens in the AFC playoffs,” writes DeArdo. “If he can stay healthy, and if he can put together another run like he had during the ’19 playoffs, Henry could be knocking on the doors of Canton by the time he hangs up his cleats for good.”

Several national NFL writers make the case to enshrine Steelers’ Bill Nunn

With first ballots due next week comes a national urge to induct Steelers’ Bill Nunn into Hall of Fame.

Since early 2020, national pro football writers have made a significant push for former Steelers assistant personnel director and scout to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If you Google Bill Nunn and Hall of Fame, you’ll easily find a dozen links from writers who believe it’s beyond time Nunn is recognized for his contribution to the Steelers.

NFL columnist Jim Trotter is the latest to make a case for enshrining Nunn. According to Trotter, the initial ballots for contributors for the 2021 HOF class are due July 31.

Per Ed Bouchette, who has been equally vocal on Nunn’s behalf, a committee is expected to meet virtually in August to vote in one contributor to the 2021 Hall of Fame. If the recent outpouring of interest in Nunn being enshrined is any sign, he could finally be a finalist.

The contributor category was added in 2014 to recognize “outstanding contributions to professional football in capacities other than playing or coaching.”

We whole-heartedly agree that Nunn deserves to be honored with a bronze bust. After all, he was responsible for the scouting and drafting of players, including Mel Blount, Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Donnie Shell — each who are Hall of Famers in their own right. It’s hard to believe that the Steelers would be a dynasty today if it weren’t for those legendary players.

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6 best Chiefs not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Some of the best Kansas City Chiefs who are not yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

There are plenty of former Kansas City Chiefs who deserve to become enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Many remain from the AFL days, but even some who’ve played more recently are deserving too. We still hold out hope that several of these players will one day be recognized.

Here’s a look at some of the best players (and a contributor) who are not yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

AP Photo

WR Otis Taylor (1965-1975)

One of the few Super Bowl IV champions yet to be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Taylor is perhaps the most deserving of any Chiefs player not yet in it. Selected in the fourth round of the 1965 AFL Draft out of Prairie View A&M, Taylor would go on to become one of the most dominant receivers of his era averaging 17.8 yards per catch during his career.

Here are just a few of Taylor’s accolades:

  • 1966 AFL All-Star.
  • 1967 AFL receiving touchdown leader (11).
  • 1971 NFL receiving yards leader (1,110).
  • 1971 Pro Bowl.
  • 1971 First-Team All-Pro.
  • 1972 Pro Bowl.
  • 1972 First-Team All-Pro.
  • Super Bowl IV champion.

Taylor ranks fifth in Chiefs franchise history with 410 receptions and second in receiving yards with 7,306, behind only Tony Gonzalez. Receivers from the same era such as Fred Biletnikoff and Bob Hayes are in the Hall of Fame. Taylor’s production throughout his career falls just under both of those players, but his career accolades match or exceed both players.

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5 current and former Raiders who should be in Hall of Fame once eligible

5 current and former Raiders who should be in Hall of Fame once eligible

We know the Raiders have a long, rich history of Hall of Fame players. We also know they have a long history of players who should be in the Hall of Fame but have been denied. But what of those players who should go in either in the short term or eventually, but have yet to be eligible?

There are a few of them who are knock, knock, knocking on Canton’s door. Five to be exact.

1. Charles Woodson

The absolute no-brainer Hall of Famer. Woodson will be eligible for the first time this year and he has a spot reserved for him as a first-ballot shoo-in. “CWood” played 18 years in the NFL. The former Heisman Trophy winner out of Michigan was selected by the Raiders with the fourth overall pick in the 1998 draft. After eight years and four Pro Bowls at cornerback, he left to join the Packers.

Over seven years in Green Bay, he went to four more Pro Bowls. Then he got a Super Bowl ring. Then was named Defensive Player of the Year. At the age of 33. Then got his third All-Pro nod at the age of 35. Then he switched to safety, signed back with the Raiders and played three more seasons, and retired at the age of 40. The final game of his NFL career was his ninth Pro Bowl.

All told, CWood had 65 interceptions, 11 defensive touchdowns, and 33 forced fumbles. They will announce the list of nominees soon and they may as well skip the lead-up because he is assured a spot.

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In 2009, Michael Jordan had to pick a …

In 2009, Michael Jordan had to pick a previous hall of famer to give his presentation speech when he went into the hall and he chose you. Were you surprised? David Thompson: Yes and no. I knew how Michael felt about me and how I was an inspiration for him in his career. But there were so many other North Carolina guys in the hall of fame, and I went to North Carolina State. So it was a little bit surprising that he picked me. I was very happy about it and was really honored to be a part of his day.