PFHOF: the RB Nominees

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 122 modern era nominees for the 2020 class. 63 on offense, 43 on defense, and 16 special teams. I am told only five candidates will be enshrined. Later a veterans committee will consider other candidates who retired over 25 years ago.

Steelers DB Troy Polamalu may be the only cinch to get in. Number of candidates by position: QB 7, RB 19, WR 17, TE 6, OL 19, DL 11, LB 17, DB 16, ST 16.

The running backs: Shaun Alexander, Mike Alstott, Tiki Barber, Earnest Byner, Larry Centers, Corey Dillon, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James, Daryl Johnston, Thomas Jones, Maurice Jones-Drew, Eric Metcalf, Lorenzo Neal, Clinton Portis, Fred Taylor, Herschel Walker, Chris Warren, Rickey Watters.

A comparison of candidates does not necessarily make the best worthy. Better to compare to inductees from his own generation. So often Herschel is compared to similar players to started their careers long after Walker began his. Walker was one of the first backs to be an equally dangerous receiver. To judge him solely on his NFL rushing totals leaves out 75% of the player he was – though that number is higher than many backs already in the PFHOF.

The selectors consider awards more highly than stats. MVPs, All-Pros, Pro Bowls, All-Decade Teams, etc. Players from championship teams rate higher than their peers on losing teams. If the most talented player does not produce enough to earn accolades, he is not Hall of Fame material. Evidently if a borderline PFHOF candidate was a troublemaker, his poor conduct is considered a detriment. Shame the opposite of this isn't true.

And though the name on the door reads Pro Football Hall of Fame, and though a smattering of inductees spent seasons in other pro leagues, you can be sure players are chosen based solely on their NFL careers. While the AAFC and AFL were granted equal status, more recent leagues like the USFL, XFL, and even the CFL are not. Former USFL standouts Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, and Gary Zimmerman have been voted into the PFHOF, but their pre-NFL years were only alluded to in their PFHOF biographies.

For this reason for Herschel Walker I will include only his NFL stats and achievements. To add his USFL stats would make him an obvious inductee. The man gained more pro yards than any other player in pro football history. One exception: from the USFL I'm including Herschel's MVP and two all-league selections.

The PFHOF is the most exclusive club in all of sport, much more so than Cooperstown or Springfield. Only the truly great are inducted. One consideration: with so many players literally giving their lives for the game, suffering brain damage, paralysis, and even death to play the game they love, the selectors should remember this toll taken on the players.

Interestingly, Herschel may be the most fit retired player in history. Despite taking a severe pounding, particularly in his first stint with the Cowboys, at 57 Walker looks like he could still play today. A testament to his superior athletic ability.