HOF Finalists Trimmed to 50

[RiverDog]

T.O. was a pretty extreme example and was widely regarded as a diva from basically the beginning, and even he still went third ballot while openly disparaging the committee. I don't think most people even knew what Earl's voice sounded like until his career was 80% finished.

Keep in mind that we're not talking about "most people." We're talking about sports writers and broadcasters, and they're gonna know "what Earl's voice sounded like."

FYI here's the selection committee:

Becoming a Hall of Famer | Pro Football Hall of Fame

Learn what it takes to become a Hall of Famer, the selection process, and who comprises the selection committee here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

www.profootballhof.com

And yes, TO as he was definitely a diva and was very outspoken about the disrespect given to him by the media, some of whom obviously held a grudge against him. But while it is an extreme example, it does a good job in illustrating how off field behavior can affect the acceptance of a nominee. And like I said, it might only take one or two of them as while Earl has a strong resume and IMO he gets in, he's still not a slam dunk.

 

[RiverDog]

TO got voted in on his 3rd year of eligibility.

Should he have been in earlier? Probably, but he wasn't exactly holding on for a long time

I don't think that there's any "probably" about it. TO ranks 3rd on the all-time receiving yards list, 3rd in all-time receiving TD's, was a 5-time first team All Pro selection, and was named to the All-Decade team. Erase the name from that and it's a slam dunk. He was controversial because he was widely regarded as a locker room cancer so I can understand the disrespect, but there's no doubt that if you put anyone else's name in front of that resume, they're a slam dunk first ballot HOF'er.

My point was that off field behavior/issues can and does influence HOF voting. Will it be enough to keep Earl Thomas out of the HOF? Long term, I don't think so, but it could cause him to miss it in his first year.

 

[HawkinNY]

Seahawks Legends Marshawn Lynch, Shaun Alexander, Ricky Watters, Kam Chancellor & Earl Thomas Advance To Next Round Of Hall Of Fame Voting

I think Thomas doesn’t. All that happened in his personnel life will get in the way.

 

[Maulbert]

Too many dropped picks, too short a career, too much nonsense afterward. I'm not disputing his importance to the defense, but I don't think ANY of them will get in.

Earl Thomas was a 4 time All-Pro and a 7 time Pro Bowler. He'll get in.

Too many people here are bitter about his exit so they're downplaying his actual play.

Lawrence Taylor was popped for cocaine MULTIPLE times before he was elected to the HoF.

Not saying Earl was as great a player, but his issues were never on that level, either.

 

[Rat]

Earl Thomas was a 4 time All-Pro and a 7 time Pro Bowler. He'll get in.

*5 times, with three first-teams, plus the all-decade team, unquestionably the best safety of his era, and arguably the best player on an iconic, championship-winning defense.

He's in. Getting a little weird at the end of his career is something that's barely cared about outside Seattle.

 

[kidhawk]

Mike Holmgren & Chuck Knox Named Semifinalists For Pro Football Hall of Fame Class Of 2025

www.seahawks.com

Both Coaches Knox and Holmgren are HOF semi finalists that has been cut to 9 by the blue ribbon committee.

 

[LeveeBreak]

Both deserve to get in.

 

[LeveeBreak]

He was controversial because he was widely regarded as a locker room cancer so I can understand the disrespect, but there's no doubt that if you put anyone else's name in front of that resume, they're a slam dunk first ballot HOF'er.

Agree and agree. Having a tantrum at practice proceeded by a workout in your driveway on camera certainly makes some people scratch their heads. He's an odd duck that some voters used to send a message. Dumb IMO...lots of head cases in the NFL through history...he just went through it in the connected era. His performance as a player is not questionable, which should (but is not) be the gauge.

 

[Rat]

Mike Holmgren & Chuck Knox Named Semifinalists For Pro Football Hall of Fame Class Of 2025

www.seahawks.com

Both Coaches Knox and Holmgren are HOF semi finalists that has been cut to 9 by the blue ribbon committee.

Only one from the semifinal list can make it per the rules. I hope Holmgren hears his name called, but I'm worried it's going to be Mike Shanahan. Not that I think Shanahan is more qualified (I don't), but with Kyle's success in SF giving the Shanahan name more credence, plus how well other members of his coaching tree are doing (McVay and LeFleur in particular), I think the momentum is going to be there to get him in, unfortunately. Granted, one of Holmgren's disciples is the head coach of a team that has won three of the past five Super Bowls, but I think if the voters were giving him credit for Andy Reid, he'd be in already.

Holmgren should have made it before Cowher did at least. Probably Vermeil too.

 

[calinator]

Wayne, Boldin, and Smith all have more catches, yards, and TDs than Holt.

To be fair all 3 played to 36-37 years while Holt played to 33. Holt could put in an extra 3 years past his prime and with mediocre stats and had higher stats than those 3 you mentioned. Holt also has more pro bowls(7) than the 3 you mentioned and his HOF teammate Bruce only went to 4 while also playing until 37. Holt was also part of the 2000's HOF team with Harrison, Moss, and TO, being the only one not in the actual HOF. His impact in his prime is definitely HOF worthy IMO.