Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

What current Commander is a ‘most likely future Hall of Famer?’

Joe Jacoby should be Washington’s next Hall of Famer. Who on the current roster could one day make it to Canton?

We are coming off a weekend in which nine former NFL stars were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It wasn’t a monumental weekend for fans of the Washington NFL franchise, as, somehow, offensive tackle Joe Jacoby was again passed over. However, there is hope Jacoby will receive that call in 2024.

As the hallowed halls of Canton added nine new members, Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports asked a question: Who is the most likely future Hall of Famer on all 32 NFL rosters?

If you go across some rosters, it’s an easy exercise. Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Aaron Donald, Trent Williams and Von Miller could retire tomorrow and, in five years, would be first-ballot Hall of Famers.

As we look toward the Commanders’ roster, there are no future locks. However, Washington has some outstanding players, but players with a lot to prove before earning a spot in Canton.

CBS picked wide receiver Terry McLaurin, offering the following reasoning:

Current Hall of Fame “lock”? No

  • Steady QB play in D.C. would do wonders for McLaurin

McLaurin has been one of the league’s most consistent and productive receivers since coming into the NFL in 2019. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl last year after tallying nearly 1,200 receiving yards while catching passes from three different starting quarterbacks.

The two players who deserve a mention here are McLaurin and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. McLaurin is entering his fifth season, while Allen enters year seven. Both are phenomenal and while McLaurin is trending in the right direction, his numbers have been impacted by poor quarterback play.

In four NFL seasons, McLaurin has 299 receptions, 4,281 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. Considering he’s accomplished those numbers with 10 different starting quarterbacks is remarkable.

The Hall of Fame is a long way off for any fifth-year NFL player, outside of possibly a quarterback who has won multiple Super Bowls. But it was a fun exercise, and McLaurin’s career continues to trend upward.

Steve Tasker named to list of best players not enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame

Steve deserves the HOF:

The Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL just went through the weekend festivities to welcome the 2023 class.

The inductees are:

  • DB Rondé Barber
  • Coach Don Coryell
  • LB Chuck Howley
  • DL Joe Klecko
  • CB Darrelle Revis
  • CB Ken Riley
  • OL Joe Thomas
  • LB Zach Thomas
  • EDGE DeMarcus Ware

One not listed above is former Bills special teams ace Steve Tasker. CBS Sports thinks that’s wrong.

Tasker’s final year of eligibility as a modern-era selection was 2022. If he is to make it now, it will be via the Seniors Committee.

With the recent Hall of Fame festivities in mind, CBS Sports named 20 players most deserving to be in the Hall, and Tasker kicked off the list.

Here’s how CBS Sports campaigned for Tasker:

One of the greatest special teams players in NFL history, Tasker earned seven Pro Bowl nods from 1987-95. During that span, Tasker helped the Bills become the first franchise to appear in four consecutive Super Bowls. Tasker’s brilliance was on display during the opening minutes of Super Bowl XXVII. With the Cowboys punting from their own 16-yard line, Tasker was lined up against linebacker Robert Jones, a rookie who filled in for an injured starter. Jones didn’t have a chance against Tasker, who beat Jones on an inside move before blocking Mike Saxon’s punt. Tasker’s play set up the game’s first touchdown.

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WATCH: Browns legend Joe Thomas is inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

One of the best Cleveland Browns of all time received the ultimate honors Saturday

There was never any doubt after former Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas retired that he wouldn’t be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. On Saturday, that day finally came as Thomas was enshrined in bronze forever in Canton, Ohio. He got emotional thanking everyone that helped him along the way his parents, his children, and his wife Annie who he credited with being his rock.

Thomas talked about being accepted by Cleveland from the moment he stepped off the plane and how the values of the town matched those he grew up with. At the end of the speech he thanked Cleveland for everything and always being there despite losses piling up.

Let’s take a look at the highlights from the Browns legend’s big day.

Joe Jacoby named one of the 20 best players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Is 2024 finally the year for Jacoby?

It was Hall of Fame induction weekend in Canton, Ohio. The Hall of Fame enshrined nine new members to the class of 2023 on Saturday, and now the countdown to the 2024 class is underway.

One of the players who could be enshrined in 2024 is former Washington offensive tackle Joe Jacoby. Jacoby was one of 12 players recently named a semifinalist in the Seniors’ category for 2024.

Is 2024 finally the year for Jacoby?

It feels impossible we are still at this point 30 years after Jacoby last played. We’ve mentioned Jacoby’s list of accomplishments each time his name is mentioned. A three-time Super Bowl champion, a three-time first-team All-Pro, a four-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1980s All-Decade team.

Ask Lawrence Taylor — the most feared defensive player of all-time — about Joe Jacoby. Taylor had tremendous respect for Jacoby over their competitive battles.

In addition, Jacoby was one of the leaders of “The Hogs,” quite possibly the greatest offensive line ever. Russ Grimm is the only “Hog” in the Hall of Fame.

With it being Hall of Fame weekend in the NFL, CBS Sports named the 20 best players currently not enshrined in Canton.

Jacoby was ranked No. 15:

A key member of the “Hogs,” Jacoby helped Washington win each of its three Super Bowl titles. A Pro Bowler each season from 1983-86, Jacoby’s blocking helped John Riggins rush for a then Super Bowl record in Washington’s win over Miami in Super Bowl XVII. A member of the NFL’s All-1980s Team, Jacoby helped protect Super Bowl MVPs Doug Williams and Mark Rypien in Super Bowls XXII and XXVI.

It’s beyond time for Jacoby.

On Saturday, Joe Klecko and Ken Riley were inducted into the Hall of Fame after waiting for 35 and 40 years, respectively. Klecko was on hand to celebrate his enshrinement; unfortunately, Riley was not.

Is 2024 finally the year for Jacoby?

Family of Ken Stabler to receive Hall of Fame ring half time of Raiders home opener vs Steelers

We have a date for when Ken Stabler’s family will receive his Hall of Fame ring. Appropriately enough it will happen when the Raiders face the Steelers.

There were no Raiders legends among the new class of to take the stage at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio today to accept enshrinement, there is great news for the family of the greatest quarterback to ever don Silver & Black.

The family of Ken Stabler will soon receive the Hall of Fame ring they have long deserved.

For some back story, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has long given out their Ring of Excellence as part of induction along with the iconic yellow blazer. The caveat was those items were only given to *living* inductees.

While the rule never made a whole lot of sense, for those like the Stabler family, it was all the more frustrating and hurtful considering Ken should have been inducted long before, but was denied his rightful place until the Senior Committee voted him in, and only after he has passed away of cancer at the age of 69.

Recently the Pro Football Hall of Fame finally changed that rule, at least with regard to the Ring of Excellence, and made it retroactive. This means all family who were once denied the ring, will now receive them.

The family of Stabler’s long time receiver Cliff Branch — who they also strung along until after he had passed away to induct him — was the first to receive the Ring of Excellence. They received it at last year’s season finale.

And now, Ken’s daughter Kendra Stabler has revealed to me that she will be receiving the ring at the Raiders home opener on September 24.

“Mark Davis called me before the season ended last year to tell me the good news that the Hall changed their policy regarding posthumously inducted players getting a Hall of Fame ring,” said Kendra. “Mark Davis & Virginia Madden were instrumental in making this happen and the new President of the Hall of Fame, Jim Porter.”

Kendra also noted that the ceremony will happen “ironically against the Steelers”. I don’t think the opponent in this game is meant to be ironic so much as with an expressed purpose.

You see, last season, the Steelers held their 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception during their game against the Raiders in Pittsburgh. Now, it appears the Raiders are returning the favor.

Stabler scored the go-ahead touchdown that put the Steelers within one completion of losing and it was only Franco Harris digging out the deflected pass that reversed their fate.

It was also Stabler who would ultimately lead the Raiders past the Steelers to a 24-7 AFC Championship win and go on to beat the Vikings and hoist the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history and earn Stabler his only Super Bowl ring. The win over the Steelers meant so much to Al Davis, he had the 24-7 score engraved on the Raiders’ Super Bowl ring.

Darrelle Revis hysterically recalled Jets fans who burned his jersey after he joined Patriots in Hall of Fame speech

Darrelle Revis shared a hilarious memory about Jets fans in his Hall of Fame speech.

New York Jets legendary cornerback Darrelle Revis was one of the NFL greats who got enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

The best moments from the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony

While this year’s induction ceremony was filled with plenty of great moments, there was one that was just absolutely hilarious and perfectly summed up the plight of the Jets fan.

Revis thanked all Jets fans in his speech, which includes those who were mad he signed New England Patriots as a free agent in 2014. He laughed as he remembered the New York fans who were so upset at that signing that they burned his jersey as some sort of petty retaliation.

However, it appears as if there’s no hard feelings at all for Revis to the Jets fandom. If anything, it’s a hilarious memory from a spectacular career.

“The pressure was intense, but so was the love,” Revis told the crowd about playing for the Jets fans with a smile, “and to the Jets fans, for all the boos, cheers, when I was drafted 14th overall to burning my jersey when I signed with the Patriots, to now being here in Canton… I guess it’s safe to say we’ve been through a lot together.”

You can watch Revis’ full speech below.

Revis is one of the all-time great cornerbacks in NFL history, and he did make a return to New York to play for the Jets after winning a Super Bowl with New England.

While some Jets fans may never be able to let go of a franchise great like Revis playing for “the enemy,” it’s clear that most New York fans will always have a special place in their hearts for Revis Island.

With Revis smiling wide as he said the ceremony felt like MetLife Stadium as the Jets fans cheered him on, we have a hunch that the feeling is mutual.

The best moments from the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony

This year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony had plenty of great moments.

On Saturday, a new host of NFL greats earned their place in history as the newest class of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees.

This year’s class included names like:

  • Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Ronde Barber
  • New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis
  • Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware
  • Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas
  • Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Ken Riley
  • Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley
  • New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko
  • Former Chargers/Cardinals coach Don Coryell

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is always one of the coolest events on the NFL calendar, as fans gather in Canton, Ohio, to celebrate some of the best NFL talents and coaches who ever represented the sport.

There were naturally some awesome moments at the 2023 ceremony, ranging from goosebump-inducing chants from the crowd to awesome tributes from one set of NFL legends to another.

Let’s break down some of the coolest moment to come out of this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Broncos or Cowboys? Which is Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware’s ultimate team?

As DeMarcus Ware gets enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame we debate if he’ll be remembered most for the Cowboys or Broncos. | From @ReidDHanson

DeMarcus Ware will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame at noon eastern on Saturday. Him getting a gold jacket seemed like a forgone conclusion even 10 years ago. All Ware accomplished in his 12-year career was earn four All-Pro awards, nine Pro Bowl bids, one Super Bowl trophy, and a spot on the All-2000s Team.

It’s a brilliant career that landed Ware No. 9 on the NFL’s all-time sack leader list (138.5 career sacks) which spanned nine seasons with the Cowboys before concluding in Denver for three additional seasons.

While Dallas gets credit for drafting and developing Ware, it’s the Broncos who got the honor of giving the 2023 Hall of Famer his only Super Bowl trophy. His time in Denver was a rousing success and the love between Ware and the Broncos clearly flows both ways.

His love for both cities likely prompted Ware to go into the Hall of Fame as a shared commodity. Both NFL franchises get to claim him because he proudly claims both of them.

But when the dust settles and fans look back a decade from now – two decades from now – will Ware be remembered more as a Bronco or as a Cowboy?

Watch: Darrelle Revis receives his Hall of Fame gold jacket

Revis officially has his gold jacket

Revis Island is set to be forever immortalized in Canton, Ohio. Jets legendary cornerback Darrelle Revis received his gold jacket Friday ahead of Saturday’s induction ceremony.

Revis, New York’s first-round pick in 2007, played eight seasons across two stints with the Jets and also spent time in New England and Tampa Bay. He won Super Bowl XLIX with the Patriots.

The Jets inducted Revis into their Ring of Honor last season. He will now take his rightful place in the halls of Canton, Ohio with his mother presenting him.

Check out the moment he received his gold jacket.

Families of Ken Stabler, Cliff Branch may finally soon receive Hall of Fame rings

Remember when the Hall of Fame added insult to injury by denying the families of Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch HoF rings? Well, they just changed their policy which means they could finally receive those rings.

There is no instance that more exemplifies why we love sports more than the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. It’s the culmination of a life and career of excellence at the highest level of the sport.

In those instances, ideally, you see the player take the stage, unveil his bust, and then tell stories of his family and his teammates who helped him along the way and enriched his life to lead him to that moment.

Two Raiders greats were robbed of that by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which waited so long to enshrine them that they had passed away before they could have their moment.

Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch made up two parts of a lethal Raiders aerial attack in the 70s including a Super Bowl win. Stabler was one of the most clutch quarterbacks in NFL history and Branch retired as the all-time leader in postseason receiving yards — a record that wasn’t broken until Jerry Rice did it.

And yet they couldn’t get in during their lifetimes.

Then to add insult to injury, the Pro Football Hall of Fame would deny their families a Gold Jacket and a Hall of Fame ring.

“No jacket, no ring,” said Kendra Stabler, daughter of Ken Stabler at the time. “My Dad deserves it, dead or alive! He gave so much to the game we all love.”

Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask had some strong words for the Hall of Fame as well.

“It’s stunningly thoughtless to families of those who may have compromised their health to play,” said Trask, calling it “petty” and “simply dumb” and asking that they “fix it, please.”

Well, it took seven years, but it appears the Pro Football Hall of Fame has, indeed, *finally* fixed it.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today they have changed their policy, allowing the families of those who were enshrined posthumously to receive their Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence.

Along with the announcement, they named six Hall of Famers whose families will receive the ring during the half time ceremony of the Hall of Fame game this Thursday, August 3.

While Stabler and Branch are not among those who will receive the ring on Thursday, that there are additional Ring of Excellence ceremonies which are planned for other Hall of Famers with living family members, which would include Stabler and Branch.

So, it shouldn’t be long before the families of the two legends finally get the ring they should’ve had all along.