MIAMI -- Michael Irvin was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday despite a troubled past, though voters denied entry to retired NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The former Dallas Cowboys receiver, who won three Super Bowls in the 1990s, got in on his third try. Irvin pleaded no contest in 1996 to felony cocaine possession. Four years later, he was arrested on drug possession charges, but they were later dropped. The 40 Hall voters were criticized by two of Irvin's former teammates, Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman, for previously bypassing the wideout, who retired in 1999. They didn't ignore him this time. Tagliabue was eliminated in the first round of voting. Also voted in were running back Thurman Thomas, offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, defensive back Roger Wehrli and two nominees of the veterans' committee -- tight end Charlie Sanders and guard Gene Hickerson. A 40-member panel deliberated Saturday to determine who among the 17 finalists would be enshrined. Two votes were taken, reducing the finalists from 17 to 11 and then from 10 to 6 finalists, who were each voted on individually. Finalists Tagliabue, Russ Grimm, Ray Guy, Bob Kuechenberg, Andre Reed and Gary Zimmerman lost out in the first reduction vote. Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Art Monk, Derrick Thomas and Andre Tippett lost out on the second reduction ballot. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Gene Hickerson: One Step to Go By Rich Passan Posted Aug 29, 2006 The great Browns guard seems like (and should be) a shoo-in, but one possible pitfall remains. Rich Passan, a strong backer of Hickerson's candidacy, outlines the one additional step that Hickerson must make to be enshrined in Canton... Just when all hope was thought to be lost, when all the good fights had been fought in vain, the ghosts of the past appear to have caught up with Gene Hickerson. The ghosts of Paul Brown, Otto Graham, Frank Gatski, Lou Groza, Len Ford and Marion Motley are reaching out to the former Browns guard, beckoning him, teasing him. Those Pro Football Hall of Fame members are eager to swell the ranks of Cleveland Browns to 16 with another of their own. It?s been a long wait since tight end Ozzie Newsome joined them back in 1999. After way too many years and way too many lost battles, it looks as though Hickerson finally will receive the reward he so richly deserves: Pro football immortality. It?s not a certainty yet. The mere formality of his election to the Hall of Fame is not without a boulder or two along the way. The Pro Football Hall of Fame?s Seniors Selection Committee?s nod is just the first step. There is precedence for at least a sliver of concern, a snippet of doubt that Hickerson again will fall short. The Seniors Committee has been ignored on three other occasions. It took two stabs by the committee before Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Henry Jordan and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Lou Creekmur were eventually elected in the 1990s. Back then, the committee submitted only one name for consideration. Since the rules were broadened four years ago to allow the committee to put forth two names for deliberation, only Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Bob Hayes failed to gain the necessary number of votes for enshrinement, causing friction within the voting ranks. Hickerson and Detroit tight end Charlie Sanders, the Seniors Committee picks this year, join 15 modern-era candidates on the 2007 ballot. When voting takes place at the Super Bowl next year, the 39-man board of selectors has the latitude to elect as few as three and as many as six men. One would think that Sanders, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and Hickerson would be a lock for election. But when one scans the list of modern-era players, it might cause a furrowed eyebrow or two. Up for consideration are such luminaries as Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas, Dallas wide receiver Michael Irvin (who should have been elected last year), late Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas (ditto), Washington Redskins wide receiver Art Monk, Pittsburgh Steelers center Dermontti Dawson, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Bob Kuechenberg and Minnesota Vikings/Denver Broncos offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman. First-year eligibles include Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews and outgoing National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Thomas, Irvin, Matthews and Tagliabue will get strong consideration for certain. And Monk, one of the all-time great receivers in the game, has been ignored too long. Bear in mind that there is no guarantee the electors will choose a class of six. Until this past year, when six men were enshrined, the Hall of Fame had gone four straight years with five or less inductees (five each in 2002 and 2003; four each in 2004 and 2005). So you can see why Hickerson?s election will not be a slam dunk. This is not meant to throw cold water on the joy of his selection by the Seniors Selection Committee. It?s that reality sometimes delivers cold, hard blows when one?s hopes rise to extraordinary levels of expectation. Just ask supporters of Hayes. Why it took so long for the Seniors Committee to recognize Hickerson, however, will forever remain a mystery. Men of excellence gain entrance to the HOF in amazingly quick fashion. And Hickerson was as excellent as they came. Considered briefly by HOF voters a couple of times shortly after he retired, Hickerson became a forgotten man even though he set a high standard with his peerless approach to the game and six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. He redefined his position with his uncommon athleticism. Then he slipped into Hall of Fame nomination oblivion. Until now. Maybe it will take some fancy persuasion to illuminate the voters who might not have heard of Hickerson. There will be a large generation gap for some of them. But the guess here is that Tony Grossi of The Plain Dealer, the Cleveland representative on the selection committee, will be fully armed when he stands up to lobby for Hickerson?s election. He will be just as persuasive as he has been in his efforts to keep Art Modell out of the Hall of Fame. Until that time, we wait and hope that justice finally prevails. The wrong is so close to being righted. It?s about time. Hickerson vs. HOF guards Gene Hickerson, who was an outstanding fullback in high school, became a tackle at the University of Mississippi. He was regarded as one of the best, if not the finest, linemen in the Southeastern Conference during the end of his collegiate career. The Cleveland Browns wasted little time in securing him for their offensive line. The Browns selected him as a future choice in the 7th round of the 1957 NFL Draft. Hickerson joined the Browns in 1958 and was promptly shifted to guard to better utilize his speed. He had to pay his dues by first serving as one of Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown?s ?messenger? guards. Hickerson quickly went from delivering plays to the huddle to establishing himself as the steady lead blocker for three future Hall of Fame running backs ? Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. After just three seasons in the NFL, Hickerson?s career was slowed when he suffered a broken leg in the 1961 pre-season opener. He fractured the leg again late in the year when he was hit while watching a game from the sideline. He rebounded fully by the following season. After sitting out two games in 1962, he never missed another game for the remainder of his stellar career. Along the way, he gained the reputation as the lead guard for Brown, regarded as one of the game?s greatest runners. But, the official accolades really did not come until after Brown retired and Leroy Kelly became Cleveland?s featured back. Hickerson earned first-team All-NFL acclaim five straight seasons, 1966-1970, and was voted to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1966 to 1971. By the time Hickerson retired following the 1973 season at age of 38, his accomplishments on the football field were unquestioned. During his tenure, the Browns never experienced a losing season. In all, he played in 202 games during his career and started at right guard in four NFL title games that included the Browns? 27-0 win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship Game. Prior to Hickerson joining the Browns, there had been just seven runners in the entire history of the NFL to reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season. With Hickerson paving the way, the Browns featured a 1,000-yard rusher in every season but one during Gene?s first 10 pro seasons. Furthermore, Cleveland featured the NFL?s leading ground gainer in seven of those seasons. Hickerson?s contribution in helping that happen was recognized when he was named to the NFL?s All-Decade Team of the 1960s. http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=263
Michael Irvin is turd extradonnaire. I don't understand why he gets in but Art Monk does not. Truly awful... By the way, here is an editorial about this issue... profootballtalk.com/rumormill
Here you go. http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm POSTED 3:13 p.m. EST; LAST UPDATED 3:30 p.m. EST, February 3, 2007 IRVIN OVER MONK SENDS A BAD MESSAGE Now that Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin has leap-frogged Redskins/Jets/Eagles receiver Art Monk into Canton, we think it's high time for everyone who appreciates the talents of someone who does their job, does it well, keeps his mouth shut, and stays out of trouble to stand up at shout: "Why!?!" Monk made it through 16 NFL seasons, and finished with 940 catches, 12,721 yards, and 68 touchdowns. He won three Super Bowl rings with three different quarterbacks (none of whom are or ever should be in the Hall of Fame) throwing the passes. Irvin played 12 years, and caught 750 passes for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns. He won three Super Bowls with Hall of Famer Troy Aikman distributing the pill. The only real difference between the two? Irvin was a loudmouth on the field, and a turd off of it. Monk was neither. We know. We know. A player's off-the-field exploits are not to be considered, per Hall of Fame bylaws. Well, why hasn't it occurred to someone to change the damn bylaws? What message does it send to kids out there when a receiver who acts responsibly and humbly on and off the field gets passed over by a guy with lesser career stats? And what happens if/when Irvin (who from time to time appears to be incoherent on the air) dishonors the assembly of busts (which per John Madden come to life at night and talk to each other) if/when Irvin gets arrested again? We've been to Canton, and it's weird to see O.J. Simpson's bust among all of the non-murderers. In his case, though, no one had an inkling that he might someday treat his ex-wife and her friend like a couple of Thanksgiving turkeys. For guys like Irvin, will anyone be surprised if/when he does something that will tarnish the entire body of players who represent true excellence in the sport? When a team drafts a guy with a history of misconduct and the player commits further misconduct after joining the team, the team that selected him rightly is criticized. We think that the organization and its selection committee fairly should face the same scrutiny if/when Irvin casts shame on the Hall of Fame.
Yep. Hubby and I are actually ARGUING about it! hmy: He said I'm not being objective. Booooooooooooooo. I just hate Irvin, period. Ok that didn't sound very objective did it? :lol: I just think Monk should be there before him.
Trivia for 1,000 points. Can anyone name (off the top of your head not a google search) the 3 QB's? :grin:
I saw Monk and Irvin entire career, Monk doesn't belong in the conversation with Irvin, not that I love Irvin as a mortal lock either but Irvin was so much better than Monk.
I have to disagree, Winston. They were two very different types of recievers. Irvin was a lot of flash, and something of a home run hitter. Monk wasn't as flashy, but the guy was clutch. He was a great 3rd down guy that kept drives alive week in and week out. Durable, consistant and reliable. Not spectacular. But, he kept that level of play up for a long time. What, over 160 games in a row with a reception? Irvin was much more of a game breaker, but Monk was the sort of player who may have been more valuable to his team. Any arguement over which is better is somewhat subjective, and probably pointless because there isn't a clear cut way to differentiate them.... but to say Monk shouldn't be in the same conversation.... you are exaggerating right? Please tell me you are exaggerating! I'm not up for a long debate on this one.... which would surely be a long, involved discussion of everything from who their QB's were, to how much they carried their teams, to how the RB on each player's team took or didn't take opportunity away from them. Having said that, I think Irvin deserves the credit for the push off never being called anymore. He got away with some real corkers. He NEVER got a flag, but pushed off all the time. He mastered the technique. I just think Irvin may well be the most over rated HoF'er of all time.
You clearly have noted your personal hatred of Irvin. I put him behind 3 guys during he's playing career and that's why I say he's on the margin. Art Monk wasn't even the best WR on the Redskins teams he played on. I find it amazing that the same people who shill for Monk don't even remeber who Gary Clark was. He was the No. 1 WR on the Redskins during most of Monk's playing career. By the way in 82 and 83 when Monk was on the Redskin teams that went to the SB the No. 1 WR on that team was the very unhearelded Charlie Brown. At least Irvin was the No. 1 guy on those great Cowboy teams something Monk can't even claim on his own team. Monk was single covered on great Redskin teams for most of he's career, he was the third or 4th guy D's were looking to stop. Irvin played on great Cowboy teams but he was an absolute game breaker and a guy Defenses had to stop when playing the Cowboys.
Not for nothing, but how does Tagliabue not get in on the 1st ballot? Good news for the guys who got in, congrats to Irvin and Thomas. I was always a fan of Irvin, loved his flash and his passion for the game...
Personal hatred? You're exaggerating again Winston. No, I don't like him, but hate? No... as in dead wrong. Lighten up.... no need to go to extremes here. I admit, I do have a bias against self promoting loud mouths like Irvin, TO, Key Johnson, Mark Gastinue (never could spell his name) and that ilk. Players that cause trouble, especially when it comes to sending teams into turmoil and by breaking the law or things along those lines... yeah, I don't like 'em much. But, the hate word is off base here. They didn't kill a family member, ok? I know who Clark was.... I hope that comment wasn't directed at me. I refer back to my original point, if I may. I think I made it clear that Monk wasn't a game breaker, while Irvin was. Monk was however, a "game maker". Call him the Don Sutton of football. Call him a compiler. But, and this is a philosphical difference, steady players who contribute to wins over a long period of time every time they step on the filed carries I suppose, more value to me than it may with others. Irvin and Monk comparisons are apples and oranges to me. BTW, Monk did break some games, so it's not as if he wasn't capable of winning a game either. But, that isn't what he was best at. How often has Brady ever had to go down the field for 6 with 2 minutes left? Rarely, and when he has needed to do so, he's almost always come up short. Instead, he helped his team win, getting close enough for a game winning FG. Monk is sort of the same way to me. He was a guy that helped his team win, but in a less spectacular way. I think that is as noteworthy as being a game breaker type. If that's all it's about, then no offensive linemen should be in the hall. Monk was the epitomy of consistant reliabilty, and I put value on that.
There were plenty of very good No. 2WR on NFL teams, they don't belong in the HOF discussion. Don Sutton unlike Monk had to pitch to the best guys on the other team, Monk was single covered by the other teams No. 2.
Like I said.... I'm not motivated to go into a whole debate full of stats, opinions, and whatever else on this subject.... I frankly don't care enough about either Monk or Irvin to launch into a great debate. I don't like druggies and loudmouths. Irvin undeniably is both. But, I don't care near enough about Irvin to hate. Hate takes a lot of energy, and he isn't worth it.
Michael Irvin over Art Monk?? Come On!!! Ray Guy deserves to get in too. Same with Klecko. Wasn't he the first player to make the Pro Bowl at 3 different positions? That's very impressive in my book.
You may want to watch this video on Monk - you may have forgotten what a fine player he really was, and not simply a "2nd WR," as you have implied. http://youtube.com/watch?v=9u4hBiiuYb4&mode=related&search= This may help stimulate your memory.
