According to Profootballtalk.com, one of the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee just started covering the NFL in September 2011.
Take that in for a moment. Someone responsible for determining whether a player is worthy of the HOF, the ultimate honor…has been covering the sport for a mere five months.
In addition to the issue of inexperience, how can that person NOT be swayed by some of the other voters that have covered football for many years?
This is an excerpt from the HOF’s website, about the voting process:
In advance of the Hall of Fame Selection Meeting in February, the selectors are provided detailed biographies on each of the 17 finalist candidates. At the annual meeting, each of the nominees is thoroughly discussed by the committee before a series of reduction votes are taken. First, the two senior candidates are discussed and voted on for election. They must receive the same 80 percent affirmative vote as the modern-era candidates. Next, the [sic] there is a vote that reduces the modern-era finalists list from 15 to 10. Following that, a vote is taken to reduce the list from 10 to 5 names. The five remaining candidates for Hall of Fame election are then voted on individually (yes or no) for membership.
From that we can surmise that the 44-person committee gathers in a room a few days before the Super Bowl to talk at length about the virtues of 15 football players.
It’s obvious to me now that collusion is the explanation for the committee’s ineptitude.
If a few of the veteran NFL writers want someone to get in (or if they want to keep someone out), it’s not too hard to imagine a scenario where their opinion and influence weighs heavy.
Especially on an individual that has written about football for less than six months.
Want to get along with your more experienced peers, those that in the future may or may not help you climb the football journalism ladder?
Just agree with them.
NFL HOF logo courtesy of profootballhof.com
Tags: Hall of Fame, HOF, National Football League, NFL, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Profootballtalk.com, Super Bowl, Voting
The Sports Cult 
April 23, 2012 at 9:43 PM |
[…] Both are certain HOFers, and Dawk should be headed there as well–but we know the nonsense that surrounds the voting process. […]
December 16, 2012 at 12:19 AM |
That’s Cool Man; A Dream of mine to do! Actually broadcasting the NFL & Ringing the NYSE Bell! Its a Good Time of Year & glad that its Back To Football!
April 23, 2012 at 9:43 PM |
[…] Both are certain HOFers, and Dawk should be headed there as well–but we know the nonsense that surrounds the voting process. […]
October 18, 2013 at 5:36 PM |
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