Old Timers Who Belong in the HOF

[jefferyepayne]

There are lots of pro football players prior to 1970 that deserve some consideration for the HOF. Unfortunately at this point it is very unlikely many of them will get in. Post those you think at least deserve a look and any cards / images you have of them here.

jeff

[DBesse27]

I may be biased, but I do believe the AFL's all time leading scorer and 1964 MVP deserves a look.

https://i.imgur.com/byat0jy.jpg

[supplex55]

Off the top of my head--Johnny Robinson, Drew Pearson, Cliff Branch and the only 2 time MVP not in the HOF--Daryle Lamonica.

[TanksAndSpartans]

I like colorful cards like Chicles, Leafs, and Bowmans, so I don’t even wind up collecting anything from the eras that I’m most interested. Jeff, can you help me out with some images?

There aren’t any Nessers in the HOF. I’d start with 3 of them (Ted, Frank, and Al). I’d have Calac as I mentioned. Then I’d take Lavvie Dilweg, Duke Slater, and Tony Latone. There’s a handful of other pre-1920 players I’m still researching so I won’t go out on a limb with them, but anyone can pm me for those.

Well, since Dan opened the door to bias, I'll show one card of a player who was both a Tank and a Spartan:

[revmoran]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4789/40556161822_73235c03e8_b.jpg

[jefferyepayne]

Items that depict some of the stars from the 20s are tough to find as most weren't depicted on cards. Here are some images I have for the ones John mentioned above.

1916 Canton Bulldogs composite with Pete Calac.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZQRgsPL9os-Yp_Lv8eDjTMJlrkdoRa1J1lm9fuJ05wprMvAVALav6xoUZ2DsJ KcVqIuTXjQY57-uyFDpDyZZNnSyvQe7llibu6MwclCb9mFhQ8_OOHAZ7UD514wCV AQZlbSGMYta1uIKJMpTNC3Gy2e3iakIrWFQp99Oa6K1FcwfyXg 8IxHbRjX_Kfc5l65Fd771YVvcjTTgoCG8ZGmhv3oEcHw2b7D7r BGO4IY6SGsrEcGYNFmrc28uql1ReBfWAWEtZPVfWTlyZybo--5A6IWnC6-y9pGwsyZfiOWP8pCjvViPWWSfN1eqD0DgF9avudzjEc62v5_wd 1iFcUQaiWGXHE9aNOoYGilxdBTm5n9u50xuKHeLS4NLJx_1BQT pz7hKuHYtTDMEBU-Q6wibXL2SEb35aLS3ePKDtFuzfyqQXdcnCxSBjJlQLjGPYSoFN 2acB3VrseSVbeB9DafA9RFo0ncSkN4atIpZ_VhdJgr5cHXSSM0 8GsGvnAFO7i_P-xvcIeKpE97jtuQor05FnP2OIh2adymv4lAxr6FGY7E_ejTWZ75 PUUo_OHYhxjtY5KDPZCEaHhfF5DCI6P9FKKCSVisVuoNLL1zkZ QbVfRZ9onAtq5supnye0WsusK64MpoHL131WRU0ZdkMHA7Yar_ NDuD73uvr=w800-h641-no

Image up close.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GwNM56n3tENc9z7gr7jilpdKSPJjVCWUK9IzIZpdwOHxtMMPes pJkS1S86TXtLPlwFfOfvf6cMthXZKOpzRFof_wRxpUHkdnMUYT YUJl0dBkbwk4Cax2Y7Xt1yQUS7voPi9c1NZgqgP0-nV4E1klqCH6eyIDV8nNLj51l8UnTXZ6dPnoajbnxZmGzV8NIIu eX3GgBJMn-VaigmurIypFjCH-GIUWFcEeMYrFt5vSuk0joTHRdrLoypkzc9wf9oRm6JARsZ4_f5 wpkAnk8s-K_e0IUxIoge1lXA8U2uQoRTWKoTxbWLMN3ozGdVQBimts0-UX0xvCj_8wU7pY_4ebCcRV_16lB2NCQwDymF2LjTheQC_q9dk_ J6HOu-Zhv12ifyuPuuLBXayOHD_DQ6xWtBa_TK2griMAQirOoHRk70SH 2ya3eh03Oe881oag0A6VHYxzLN6wWIkdLvtixGJLjJmbhiINAZ kFNeGeToXSjlROTDBOiLHtlyy6b4LHwCzYyWkBukRgAOLAal0Z 8H1PDbaaGh5BU_2KIpulH3XgmWqclRXpgFSCj7G4DxwwRxR8I7 N0VeW0fS2r7lUism6CWMnhNFJHPKg3vl7Pg60zoeTgMLx4KZpx S3SRb4ycK_quuTawUzWKWO3ztIdQBZxkZXUFOmPxcPdr=w673-h923-no

Ted Nesser (and son). Only father and son to ever play in the NFL together.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dqrmv1-p9Pt3kfszOOL1NerfCjIDNfbmuFibIh0CKgvibvqxewM2YSSs3 mnnVccwLFUST6sOgvwkJvo2C6tmMzwFfLcM0rLhmhXhqSh8ST4 Vt7r5SlKuXYKbNROcSWTIIOIqnOFqxj1Z7Y0e6RGkpk91exnvJ JtvEJ-2Iqe5lkbB34gFTh39-RyPJAZYFEQkdj9314h3x8VNBJB0uvnWxxB-FdNuUsZbHu40SCyev_bU6f42hMdRgxYtG9ANotgnStlZxsz66T Enxc7TnI4S6HzKDHMhfFFBe4YoSY-lChGlQKzsedDOLroFAzdjHD3w7qHegWn2_VFAq7v1FA2nt8siJ f8sQISlGjxV7cq0ggi8v7MLQFeT_NFBlwxL3iqVZBUzwFV8EfQ dEWQIvDciCOO18Gd3uM1HWp87BwlwrD3RYXZ6_r6d8SmcXUgnP FgvEfetlobkz24IAp0P3XZXvBOL9k1W-y3kt6qaHFzJ-e-eCIHSRxcorrQ34sbudivwDzXPXGBTdsGjLgjmwPCha5_Vtola1 Gt4YOG2kYMnUzrVP_txBAwZBRfbeJfDnpdeJ5qHIIhleOq9Y6h h7DdvzUDOI8J28kGDAmF3kQSPsWBroKx--ORE4xedoDDsTdwQJ0Lx94qv0hUAHheLZ04pMaXqO3Tx44cB=w1 000-h745-no

Al Nesser.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V387-hNInrMMAW6RHFXh8rfmBbz49Z7W7VJl1KJc1rXvTfRMoMltXO_ DbI-hUSexiriI5f1k8btN6sBEsopFGi34SLnsuEMww64TpaUP62KZU j_tX9sv57c8Ebwn19J3iyyk0eZyTOLLGCD7ytCPPg5jow5VMNh LtI5IlGKG1BkRcwHuQ_WgHjoXLiUl4UVlomkSt4FOsakJX0MP2 IU2L527-93cAJ-ATcmDiX4-_6BGs9AjykKT4T3Omvnq87ZAzvKc82S6aNIhpfihQ7wLn4fUjG ABJwNYygfJi2Lg0kPHWuqwSJxuLyEbtviVepABYa79it0HMtDC DYa0Wlk0T2wLCeu34VqOLtiWJG44Y2-mnWBT3malKTLXr40Ma8QeUDzlXlGrzdCd4BVswC-slSOoHuMxpXp5BRdB4coyOztBpHRGj1yDWuO9FyvIqOMUGZStk 00-0CXK0derkeWfzzQKxMTsDbcDpEOR1EjzwpAQr0RVMsBAlrGzwg KCXmlIA3dSA_jpu9hUUK2pkAhWUqn9cg4-9yyprQr91mtbT4IrJu6kK0x7zz8wnXxlxS-3Ey3kFViavLKs0MyOyHBrMtApKzYpdt9BeaW44sTCkK6MvzNXc o7CA1BTi2bfnCANXW7CVXudRgW8_mEpRas9tkNZ_ZDQwlz0=w4 36-h599-no

Tony Latone (plus autograph).
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3exGT4lgeZ1n2muUKEgKeeATSvvtzetnjhO_irls-RZb9nQPx5m_kyvik1_4_gwsMB7gNubyAYHdOhdSDCS3kIkQMEi N-DAQ4k1iWo2u-hjE0GJxcd-23XOzAZPTp85fDL-5olSKIOKGLOS4bRnWRUSnWDItcODunaEG_US-6fzrLMafwrlhPU2Et1Dq-J1a8BUMajrI5jLXEbBVulArzpLgVg5y5Ywd2phTWg2vcT1-DkJelrzp4yDUGs8hb8qb-4dAPgMQhwQk5TYJRa4vWtuZ856ug-fmYoz8hFEVHOsjMa-M6lyquSy8A-u4ANNuYcZdBJaqPD8AjD4S1Vn6fWIikXIRbewo96HuE2ZGRlQy Yl8k5dwjixxGsstmKg4toPbm9W04Xomyf4g2FGHdhox28CBVv9 IgYBPwlXi7MIPSu0lfBux8sgnIzARe5rfrmC5GLjfosSR4fQIx rLHNXMaECLEdCpotCQFadSTWoU4U9EMUJO20K9UFojVCzHm3m-DqgV8t-MOMxWmGPMDTPa4sAWrfI2Z-MI262a-Yi7ptRQ3dK_oW7H4-DWk1sBUOwmkeGfgUkg0JjBLY-RK6siK8dafX6enicOhmPjBKzbsanAJn9OmY4YRYXeTIugLkBL7 _bTAoRCy2tuD1Rq2I6c0rT47fZWj-=w494-h640-no

Dilweg.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/scybn54HlP1daVV8nn_C6ieuwNtB3EGpoUf3tzfY3KEZv-trZKVDSpJsRB0j6qxTCdbv81_-5hpLWYZM1bYUDO4eiZtQEZyX5n6uEibPcjdJdwGX6BW70RSMsA 0xg3cYMG_CXfdKC44N_IWQzN5P7mIZXIyiEgIKR2hI6hQQ01Yu opWVKee4GeZ85_5PVUa16qYSvPzwvQ9_Ngkwe9GHOALKR4G7qw VIm_HaSXck0P52iZboajaSly2pXbw4lp-7cVKtCoPFD9Eq4CfSZAzgPErvFqfdaZB_BWQkEPIlVgwHa23MT dFp4eo0HlZOggBNXGu6L03q6m2Sxs2gB_IwZu2uNx3Cl_FZl2v fzsfb47-FH1XnkjUX_IA4MLWQ2WqgdbR5qN5GWSmE37TQ8XB8XQv-gbRL6cpkhDXSy_kKEfLOt3mKak-NoqH2Sznd3v_YsYyzV0cPZlMnuW-uXCQoRoJtdqhhzE-KlZ22E7TccbYcz9tlODFFW5Cm6kQPTFUD6SNTFr6E_KjkJzoKI jnFd0gdbjsoRracOgBvwEMrcI0hK4Z1XT41NbiRwWCqah6WXit KE101iqftxrxLTJLaeJBwJ9zB7kgDL2mHjbCEk9-mUBQVMm1bXiTW67EWBGUMJEtGzQGrcVqN5NqBu4EP6qdRY6IRn Mab=w518-h669-no

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Wow! Awesome items.

Mike, nice Lavie Dilweg piece. I also bid on a matchbook once which I think may have been a promotional piece for his campaign, but I’m not sure.

Jeff, great idea for a thread. Several of the players depicted in your Canton Bulldogs composite in addition to Calac are on my list of pre-NFL players worth a look for the HOF:

Ralph “Fats” Waldsmith (who I list first because I have him as the best Center of the era which is saying something because there was good competition)
Howard “Cap” Edwards
Clarence “Doc” Spears
Milton Ghee (probably not considered as good of a pure passer as his contemporaries Al Marht and Gus Dorias, but I liken him to Bob Waterfield.)

Not to go on a tangent, but... my records have Greasy Neale playing for Canton in ’15 and ’17 which matches him not being in your composite, but why didn't he play in '16? He didn't want to risk his day job?

Nice photos of Ted and Al. I think Frank is the most underrated - he was a solid passer, punter, and ball carrier and played some minor league baseball which to me shows he was a solid athlete, not just a big goon on the line :). Wikipedia says this:

"Nesser was also a minor league baseball player in the Ohio State League from 1910–1914. He later played in the North Carolina State League in 1915 and 1916. After abandoning baseball for a few years he restarted his career in the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League in 1920 and played one final season, in 1921, in the Michigan–Ontario League. He left baseball after 9 seasons in which he posted a .325 batting average."

It would be something if there had been a baseball card of Frank. I think some of the contemporary tobacco card issues did include minor leaguers.

Great signed Latone piece. He was a senior finalist at one point and in Ralph Hickok's bio of Johnny Blood where they are both at the HOF in '73 and Blood is asked by John Bankert and Jim Campbell if any players from his era ought to be in the HOF he said:

"Tony was a Jim Taylor type, ran low with real high knee action, and you couldn't hit him hard enough to make him happy. You could just clobber him, you'd think you wiped him out, knocked him out of the game, and he'd get up and grin at you. Like he was saying, 'Is that the best you can do?' If you tried to tackle him low, one of his knees might break your nose, and if you tried to get him high, he'd carry you on his back for five or six yards, and then he wouldn't go down unless a couple other people helped you out. He was also a great linebacker, if he played today, he'd be in a class with Nitschke and Butkus, the same type, a ferocious hitter. And he could also get into pass coverage when he had to."

[AFLfan]

Here are a handful from my little era...

[Bigshot69]

Maybe not old school, but I always felt Karl Mecklenburg should be in the HoF. The guy has nearly 80 sacks, 4 X 1st Team All-NFL, and literally carried an otherwise weak Broncos defense during thier first couple AFC Championship runs with Elway under Center.

[pclpads]

Charley Conerly QB of the '50's Giants; and the '60's AFL Dolts guard Walt Sweeney. Always surprised the Giffer didn't push for CC's election as they were teammates for 10 years and from what I've read, pretty tight. And CC was a helluva QB in his own stead.

[jefferyepayne]

Not to go on a tangent, but... my records have Greasy Neale playing for Canton in ’15 and ’17 which matches him not being in your composite, but why didn't he play in '16? He didn't want to risk his day job?


Neale played for years for the Bulldogs under assumed names. One of them was "Fischer". Accounts vary as to whether he played at all in Canton in 1916. Here are a few Greasy Neale items you might like.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7DZ1w-7omL6TSv87jHwvK-9kUA4UnNBI4NkR68tZPgZ3Yw9HO3eA8AbHepelz13IfVOWkrJs CSB7zSVf4a8eYTGw747_tkbFTXO9wzX-JsnFBGuFKZ165LIPjWUULIF1Sl4EEH5FY2dobv6A8WvQMG0SmI sbw0fua_LuX2ai_Uske4V3SXl2CE6U29qKZBSIKbSDAZoOxLZ-fJ7-j5V7fyk4CJTbtFzl2TfICwHTCyHbFam3XrFM3FmacNw5flwqTm MdhVITgsDJ77qsPWOeIJM3dOHiYILLsha5ZHpvt0jXN9BTQuTM sxeLQMfRe9CL1BRFqbbzYGjCZpfxxuiYTjR4DJRUmUBSDjlTgk iCZ3nmGT9arboEPI89Yrv3eL6JukdE6CG5miFhpyqPtQXL0geg 0hhzEFQXqb7LjqFbqFgUTXwlNb2MwSw4dPKqD-lcNSnV-oCe_JHy9Pd9wlB_MQBks0PRLlsZgEMDPfCmGwNUGUPpxdpmOfh o6a_kfj9MHintrzZtk7MDBN-keNrnWgVOkWKne-27VrViVmfMmS4Tzuq0HiZ9kqGZH-THmcOp5nw3bz493WUt3vYHNnP72qnaB4ZbMtFO0xIKG9ppw1Xc mmk0JO3dBkG7T4rrMzdnArqF9v3GId3kbvxxbYQwYHl97pmDkk 30=w216-h361-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NSoVx9CegzSs86IArdl1wVbPoGcwuz63tQbMH9rjkKJstk74zY 40w9ZqyJ-59J3q8IZmvJZQnr6VrLTUGGNaC8DE9g9CFfueaXvnI-7PB0IQ5q_jZrbDvQ22jW2Vr4Ow6BBAYYVckRUihGs3paGgZnkc PVIpd1bPlo5Kf5ZTkB9fykjxWUBmgzAt3jfVhwWxhCY3rEuVUx sVEBW7XeApiTgOwI1k5fuqIO7Ns-eVmIXGz5ntX9t-_6-IIeMpq0R3ObH0pkY3IsueuqaeUeu-R-SJ_5QucqlNIfELkXMMxEEiNK11ie0jgzP_nARlVuo3piE0o0pe uapCAOSbr_52AeMimEUxxBMP1u5O5ule1oT1oJ-iG8KTEsOkQ-OGTEuHbzA7kGlRc1qOyvM8T2w2-h1gCYCAku9-XAxIeL9OOM9KR_HAx4h3PMdkwhdc85chrgjDN_JDxlxxGIvv2g nQfAop7Yg-CQj9ZenjUVlrXZwAN5Tz6TAVpcOeYyxMGab9kREULg_PNRxPIf-Q5QZq1Ww7GQRJww2umrkaswhZqyXh90R8GsnzzmiKJBQjES5B4 QBdsgc2uzbzCzKvHXUal06uqqIdDnmMnRT87hIKLxWojd2gjzd XXHz6dZsq4VifPRmv6DQeuti0UEURZaT7TXP1mEJ2wUBU=w248-h321-no

From a 1913 West Virginia Wesleyan basketball team composite:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q9nN6NWj0_2hvwsNPBOUh6MN0twSy9rRFGz_riO-Gx6ngok7INiRvTzjY1SnA18yWFHL9rSZZTbnaSqAP3zESXl13u YLtIsH4kBSSSODpYH5B792W7s0PMuUJxdT163h71VmxFPcF6uF UGGq2PPmzTmi98tvIS2hWsVA1-OsKbPnm6mvmNS7AjT5dLoF0bhIxTBqIAMI2W86Oi-muhClHdRIDsc7tHrA0lS5r-LQlJJj_A7zl51UUXiPwQPccYrleZmyn6lUhOgZ0DKCAJD0Jwdf iO1SlrfTTxRiiRs24b8HodL5P4rQB0bBrmZ6EqGX2qFAdNmVEl 8UqEG25HIMaYPD6MTdQd7g6NtDKXWwFJ8-pm4owc1dM3ngH90aRn3DK35QR1sKwuYn3VCzPyOcwqcpekez_X XJwrdjSYiy-TThf7bpsz971fWHyb3yliM2lVShct3E8BB5K3YuqH2z1HMGHJr yd8pnmBU7R6K0l0lQvtijy0msgyDf0ti8Pu9K6rB0UGDHExY4G sao3-nEeXKYt6lsAiucdr1bpNr0lHrFNI_UWK2CPm06D8kbrg_UYyZL QgY0kzn4X_5O0sWv7ltvj4kufO-0h9SA7RGElAVCnXOAMungATF6qcSxvLGH7Lxhu9MuAghgeB-aObGd0R1uVEfbRBle=w155-h311-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MgBMfVVWBzjK7h0w4U_eobNeH4KIyt_KICuycQOYOaVmCK4OQO z2AbLbKebJy_qdy2PvWOd9q09BNf1gmr0W1iMDndkxvL9YE-YBQnHofL9rUmZK3Jn-A2LtQO5rqHi9I3Def_iWwCmnc4EygVjTv1N6ywWHl1dYq1Xym8 LCdvlcHFIslxD5mJ6OEoIJCBmQQqRtyp3r09E7HNf7nAbOdibq 5h2FO99upPmYoooqhmUBLiuICLwG54At0eVRaiUpKkVXo49qV7 c5W6YEIr8lad2pAuQUXw5KjWa-CTFz-bw6bZcYTyr7BOXEzeLXpL4j232vhAlw0CzQkiYEklcYBjBKT1_ V0Av3JX4XXmvE0h0okhGNziZMGoE6-VDx209FFrpWRZkBrcCiRbBgUZLe86IhXxzagpzdgSVy7095cDy MabHnEZLQkQXGHADOaxrh0cKBcG-J47m_J9ZADGttYvQ_lnPNoefMcykCGZSKrVLraKpmxpTqKSFIN tjl5waVNYNvPhu6obUuDp9i2816rKulrztxxRWr6OeVvtBXLqF 4Q_CLHzflSBQFsBfS4bmIX1wycCTHqksrnoYq9eqvw6g-rkiMvZnFis6de8fp75UWPzJgefo16sTj-BHNQtoiT0_Sgj2_PZEROzVrtp_M3S3N53l3GWff=w1058-h888-no

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Jeff - great Neale player collection and I'm glad you posted the Canton composite - that's such a great piece. Did you get the '22 one BST auctioned off last year? I stick to cards, but that one really tempted me especially since I thought it went low for what it was, but I have no idea about memorabilia prices.

[jefferyepayne]

Did you get the '22 one BST auctioned off last year? I stick to cards, but that one really tempted me especially since I thought it went low for what it was, but I have no idea about memorabilia prices.

I did. Have missed on that item a few times in the past. I'm putting together a run of NFL championship team photos from 1920-1969 and was missing a 1922 Canton Bulldogs photo so happy to finally snag this!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ozT2qgyMRz2HkxDoaI8dMUJoxqZzsAgjlUOc9F2RevK1YHz3wC n7KfOOQSPAqjxcOJDcWXEs8D5OcWl6DHvNkq6RaEbglG3R8646 eileI_KfRlyvF9cFIYrM5M8k0GNTXmPs6P8rTqM423tdKV3DIM im06gvKQTUS29s12kVMayX1X-e4PBBUpWLD0OLUbcnhNOCGVC66dcvlg9vcRoSPpnVVxQcJnWVp 1us6-Isf5LhQz604n1eIvJoKLoUYgJhknWCYhHRFx1gzvWlPVb4xFvr rGFgp0xK-alSyF9sJixM4bC2HRJPuCmpbkhW4WpUKqOVl1iABX1lHSMxqVJ JyBX4E_JFe00c8F5MAZ5Fo6DOaKC9PZ2lnlpoX-9_fq_1qMzhSca1_JDrFzbY48KBpQ9icAJzjzkif7exEhU3VZoN 5FQzkRZEALU-xRcCon0husJs0E4qZKZpjkXwiJogtT67l0-ghNs_OSgwPhamZoI9xZdo2vy6sgjwvCprAuPPTKMWqTYKFsCEE yYONkf6y3CVwKPbbiC1w5XAuJPvgaEWxv0NPLKAgX0ZFtBXcpI RkY8KPZQ2xs05x6JcqT3NRFG9aMGaqX_IQMXqYMM=w1289-h794-no

jeff

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Charlie Conerly, Bill Forester, Alex Karas

[Bored5000]

I'm putting together a run of NFL championship team photos from 1920-1969 and was missing a 1922 Canton Bulldogs photo so happy to finally snag this!



I would hope 1925 is not represented by the Cardinals. ;):D

[TanksAndSpartans]

I would hope 1925 is not represented by the Cardinals. ;):D

+1

And congrats on the '22 composite.

Lots of great players mentioned. I've always really liked the '50 Bowman Conerly. If I had an an Al Wistert, I'd add him as well.

[revmoran]

Some here will appreciate this advertisement from an NFL program from October 10, 1926

https://d28lcup14p4e72.cloudfront.net/1237/3776292/Brooklyn%20v%20Hartford%201926%204.jpg

[TanksAndSpartans]

Mike, great program. I'd sign the petition to have that title reinstated.

[esd10]

Ken anderson, ken the rattler reilly, lamar parrish to name a few that have been very much overlooled by cantons writers/voters

[JTysver]

Jim "Wrong Way" Marshall and Cookie Gilchrist

[Jeff Alcorn]

A few that come to mind-

Eddie Meador, Alex Karras, Gino Cappelletti, Bubba Smith, Johnny Robinson (Chiefs), Bob Boyd (Colts), Jim Marshall, Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Roman Gabriel, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Nance, Dave Grayson, Harold Jackson, Tommy Nobis, George Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Ken Riley, Don Perkins, Lionel Taylor, and nearly everyone else mentioned above. I also heard Bart Starr being interviewed and he really pushed for Bob Skoronski, saying his blocking graded out as well as Forrest Gregg's.

I think that there are too many great players that have been ignored, and I am sure that many more would come to mind if I took the time to compile a list. Eddie Meador is on top of my list (as an old school Rams' fan), and Merlin Olsen advocated for him as have a number of others. He is a quiet and humble guy that does not blow his own horn, but he was the leader on the great Rams defenses under George Allen. Safety is a very overlooked position in the HOF, and this situation should be corrected.

Jeff

[sb1]

Gale Gillingham would be a strong candidate.

[vintagechris]

A few that come to mind-

Eddie Meador, Alex Karras, Gino Cappelletti, Bubba Smith, Johnny Robinson (Chiefs), Bob Boyd (Colts), Jim Marshall, Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Roman Gabriel, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Nance, Dave Grayson, Harold Jackson, Tommy Nobis, George Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Ken Riley, Don Perkins, Lionel Taylor, and nearly everyone else mentioned above. I also heard Bart Starr being interviewed and he really pushed for Bob Skoronski, saying his blocking graded out as well as Forrest Gregg's.

I think that there are too many great players that have been ignored, and I am sure that many more would come to mind if I took the time to compile a list. Eddie Meador is on top of my list (as an old school Rams' fan), and Merlin Olsen advocated for him as have a number of others. He is a quiet and humble guy that does not blow his own horn, but he was the leader on the great Rams defenses under George Allen. Safety is a very overlooked position in the HOF, and this situation should be corrected.

Jeff

I really like this list!

[bbcard1]

Personally, I don't think his career was long enough, but Norm Willey is an interesting case. 17 sacks in ONE GAME.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

A few that come to mind-

Eddie Meador, Alex Karras, Gino Cappelletti, Bubba Smith, Johnny Robinson (Chiefs), Bob Boyd (Colts), Jim Marshall, Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Roman Gabriel, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Nance, Dave Grayson, Harold Jackson, Tommy Nobis, George Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Ken Riley, Don Perkins, Lionel Taylor, and nearly everyone else mentioned above. I also heard Bart Starr being interviewed and he really pushed for Bob Skoronski, saying his blocking graded out as well as Forrest Gregg's.

I think that there are too many great players that have been ignored, and I am sure that many more would come to mind if I took the time to compile a list. Eddie Meador is on top of my list (as an old school Rams' fan), and Merlin Olsen advocated for him as have a number of others. He is a quiet and humble guy that does not blow his own horn, but he was the leader on the great Rams defenses under George Allen. Safety is a very overlooked position in the HOF, and this situation should be corrected.

Jeff

These guys always seemed like horrible oversights to me

[VoodooChild]

I agree with a lot of the guys already listed and was trying to think of someone not mentioned yet. I was very young when he played, but I collect 70's and George Kunz seems to have an All-Pro card for just about every year. I guess OL and especially Right Tackles don't get much respect but he was the 2nd overall selection in the '69 draft after O.J. (Mean Joe was 4th). Yeah, the Falcons were bad in the early 70's but he was on the team for their first two winning seasons and then he played for some really good Colts teams in the mid-70's who just ran into better Steelers and Raiders teams. So, he gets my vote.

Also, now that I think about it, another 70's Falcons OL, Center - Jeff Van Note, would get my vote too.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Personally, I don't think his career was long enough, but Norm Willey is an interesting case. 17 sacks in ONE GAME.

I believed this when I first read it as well, but when I looked into it via someone who does research on sacks, I was told:

"Willey likely had 8 in that game, according to Paul Zimmerman who was there. The Eagles has 12 and Zimmerman says 8"

I believe 8 would still be the record, so not a bad game! It would be nice if he was at least recognized as one of the top players of the 50s - he seems mostly forgotten.

[AFLfan]

If any of you guys would like to see the Chiefs' Johnny Robinson get in, I have been working on a campaign for him. I am gathering quotes from former players and football authors/historians that support him. I also have a petition on my website with which I am gathering signatures.

Two member of the HoF Senior Committee have agreed to present the quotes and petition results at their next voting meeting in August. Please feel free to sign and share the petition with whomever you like.

Thanks, Todd

http://talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com/sign-the-petition-and-spread-the-word-johnny-robinson-for-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame/