The Pro Football Hall of Fame might have the best representation of its game of any of the four major North American sports. The NFL has been able to put in most of the legends without bothering to fill out new busts for mediocre players who stuck around for 20 years.
Over at the Baseball Hall of Fame, plenty of legends have been enshrined but they also have players like Don Sutton and Bert Blyleven with plaques. Nothing personal, but neither of those guys were elite for more than a few seasons.
This year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is honoring another class of inductees including Junior Seau, Will Shields, Jerome Bettis, Mick Tinglehoff, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Ron Wolf and Bill Polian. All are more than worthy, with Bettis being the lone player who really brings forth an argument.
However, there have been some glaring omissions over the years. For one reason or another, some of the greatest players to ever grace the gridiron have been left in the shadows of time, hoping for the senior committee to recognize the injustice and vote them in.
Here are the 10 greatest men who have been left outside the Hall. For these purposes, they have to had been on the ballot for at least five years and must have been players, not front office personnel.
Next: 10. Ricky Watters
10. Ricky Watters
Watters is one of the most underrated players in the history of the sport. Why? Because he is remembered most for having a big mouth, playing on a bunch of bad teams and short-arming passes across the middle. None of those things are going in Watters’ favor for the Hall of Fame, but he also has plenty of accolades to brag about.
First, Watters does have a Super Bowl ring. In 1994. Watters was the featured back on the San Francisco 49ers, winning Super Bowl XXIX over the San Diego Chargers. Watters the left in free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles and despite not being a fan favorite, racked up three seasons of more than 1,000 rushing yards before moving onto the Seattle Seahawks.
In Seattle, Watters churned out another three seasons of more than 1,200 yards before getting hurt in 2001 and ultimately retiring following the season. Watters finished with 10,643 rushing yards and 78 touchdowns, earning five consecutive Pro Bowl berths from 1992-96. While his attitude could be questioned, nobody can take away his prolific play.
Next: 9. Eddie George
9. Eddie George
George was a terrific back for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, helping one of the toughest teams in recent memory reach the Super Bowl in 1999. Unfortunately for George, Tennessee came up one yard shy against the St. Louis Rams in that contest, perhaps forever changing the way people view his tremendous career.
George broke into the league with the Oilers as a first-round pick in 1996 and immediately formed a dynamic duo with quarterback Steve McNair. George put up at least 1,294 rushing yards in each of his first five seasons including the 1999 Super Bowl run. George would put up two more seasons of 1,000+ rushing yards before quietly finishing out his career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004.
Without question, George was one of the hardest backs to tackle during his career. George was also a willing pass-catcher and blocker, giving the Titans one of the best all-around backs. George was unsung for many years because he didn’t break off huge runs and played in a small market, but he produced at a top level for just shy of a decade.
Next: 8. Steve Tasker
8. Steve Tasker
This is always one of the most controversial topics when it comes to the hall of Fame. Should a special teams player get in based on those merits alone, or does he need to contribute on either offense or defense as well? Only two special teams players have ever gotten in, with kicker Jan Stenerud and punter Ray Guy earning those lofty honors.
Tasker played for the Houston Oilers from 1985-86 before joining the Buffalo Bills from 1986-97. Tasker remains the best core special teams player to ever take the field, consistently earning Pro Bowl honors for his work on kickoffs and punts. Tasker made the Pro Bowl seven times while also notching seven All-Pro teams. In the 1992 Pro Bowl, Tasker was named the MVP.
The special teams star was also named to the Bills’ 50th Anniversary Team. Tasker was the best of all-time at what he did, which on those merits alone should put him into the Hall of Fame. Tasker consistently put Buffalo in great field position, something that has been chronically overlooked. Yes, that is a Hall-worthy ability.
Next: 7. Ken Anderson
7. Ken Anderson
Anderson has been somewhat forgotten by time because he never won a Super Bowl and for many years, played on a lackluster Cincinnati Bengals team. Cincinnati finally began to find itself in contention during the early 1980’s, reaching the Super Bowl in 1981 only to fall to the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Montana.
In 1981, Anderson had a terrific campaign that resulted in the MVP award. Anderson threw for 3,754 yards with 29 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While those numbers are good even by 2015 standards, they were incredible during that time period. Anderson backed up that campaign with a strike-shortened 1982 season when he completed 70.6 percent of his passes.
Anderson was known for perfecting the west coast offense, something he learned under offensive coordinator Bill Walsh during his formative years. The Bengals consistently put good receivers around Anderson, including Isaac Curtis and Cris Collinsworth. Anderson was a top player for almost 15 years, earning himself a bust in Canton.
Next: 6. Roger Craig
6. Roger Craig
Craig was not only a great player who won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980’s, he also changed the way the position was played. Before Craig, running backs were asked to churn up yardage on the ground and make sure to protect the quarterback. After Craig, teams have constantly been looking for backs who can also catch the ball.
Craig was the perfect fit for Bill Walsh’s west coast offense, working as a safety valve for quarterback Joe Montana. The former Nebraska Cornhuskers star was a second-round pick in 1983 and became the first player in NFL history to both rush and receive for more than 1,000 yards in a season, hitting those benchmarks in 1985.
Craig rushed for 8,189 career yards with the 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings, while catching 566 passes for 4,911 yards. All told, Craig scored 88 touchdowns. Craig has only been a finalist once for the Hall of Fame, something that reeks of an oversight. Craig was a trend-setter and a game-changer, two things that go well beyond stats.
Next: 5. Kenny Stabler
5. Kenny Stabler
Sadly, Stabler passed away earlier this month after a battle with colon cancer. With his passing, many brought up the injustice of Stabler not being in the Hall of Fame despite one of the more famed career that he enjoyed with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Stabler was not only a terrific quarterback but one of the league’s most colorful characters throughout the 1970’s.
The argument against Stabler is that he was not great for a long period of time. Stabler was the backup quarterback behind Daryle Lamonica from 1970-72 until earning the starting job. Stabler then led the Raiders to the AFC Championship game in each of his first three seasons as a starter, only to fall each time. In 1976, Stabler had his best season while guiding Oakland to a 13-1 mark and the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.
Stabler threw for 27,938 yards in his career with 194 touchdowns. However, Stabler did toss 222 interceptions, something that has long been a detraction from his career. Stabler was one of the best in the 70’s, though, and should be remembered as one of the most clutch quarterbacks to ever take a snap. His stats belie the great player he truly was.
Next: 4. Terrell Davis
4. Terrell Davis
Davis only played for seven seasons, but his impact on the NFL’s history is massive. Davis was able to win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998, becoming the driving force of the offense behind an aging John Elway. In the latter of those seasons, Davis eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards, becoming only the fourth player to ever hit that total after O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders.
In 1998, Davis was named the NFL MVP, only one year after being named the Super Bowl MVP despite playing through a migraine which debilitated his vision. Despite playing for such a short period of time due to knee injuries, Davis was named to the NFL’s All-Decade 1990’s team and put on the Broncos’ 50th Anniversary Team.
Davis was a three-time All-Pro and thrice made the Pro Bowl, showcasing his elite skills before burning out so quickly. For those who detract from his case due to longevity, they need look no further than Gale Sayers, who played from 1965-71 before also shutting his career down for knee problems. Davis only had four seasons of 1,000+ rushing yards, but he was a spectacular player who deserves enshrinement.
Next: 3. Johnny Robinson
3. Johnny Robinson
Many in the younger generation are saying, who? Robinson remains one of the most underrated player in league history, likely because much of his greatness was displayed in the American Football League with the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. Robinson was originally drafted to play running back but moved to free safety, and became a superstar.
Robinson won three AFL championships with Dallas/Kansas City and went on to star in Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings, recovering a fumble and notching an interception despite having three broken ribs. In his 12-year career, Robinson totaled six All-Pro seasons. Robinson is also in the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame, was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade 1960’s team and the all-time AFL team.
Robinson posted double-digit interceptions twice in a season, and for his career had 57 picks. That total ranks tied for 13th-best in NFL history with Pittsburgh Steelers great Mel Blount. Robinson was the premiere safety of his day, playing with a style similar to Ed Reed. He scored 18 touchdowns during his time with the Chiefs and had 741 yards on interception returns.
Next: 2. Jim Marshall
2. Jim Marshall
The fact that Marshall is not in the Hall of Fame is criminal. Marshall is easily one of the greatest defensive ends to ever play the game and got plenty of acclaim during his 20-year career, playing alongside Alan Page and Carl Eller – both in the Hall – for the Purple People Eaters. Marshall played in 1960 for the Cleveland Browns before going to the expansion Minnesota Vikings in 1961. From that point forward, he started 270 consecutive games until his retirement.
Marshall is likely not in the Hall of Fame because of his wrong-way run in 1964 against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, Marshall scooped up a fumble and ran into the wrong end zone, scoring a safety. It has become the defining moment of a career steeped in brilliance. Marshall went to the Super Bowl four times with the Vikings and during his career recovered 30 fumbles, an NFL record.
Marshall’s number is retired by Minnesota and he has made its 25th and 40th Anniversary teams. Marshall was a two-time Pro Bowler, which sounds low but considering the other man in the league at that time (Deacon Jones, Willie Davis and Eller to name a few), the achievement is significant.
Next: 1. Jerry Kramer
1. Jerry Kramer
The top spot on this list is no contest. Kramer is arguably the greatest guard in NFL history alongside John Hannah of the New England Patriots, and somehow this Green Bay Packers legend is sitting outside of Canton looking in. Kramer is the only member of the NFL’s 50th Anniversary team not enshrined in the Hall of Fame, perhaps because the voters don’t want to put another member of that Packers group in.
Kramer was iconic during his career, helping Green Bay’s Vince Lombardi team to win five championships including the first two Super Bowls. Kramer was the leading man on the Packer sweep, the most indelible play in the league’s history. Kramer also made the most famous block of all-time, getting low on Jethro Pugh to led Bart Starr into the end zone on a game-winning quarterback sneak for the NFL championship in 1967.
Kramer’s daughter, Alicia, has been campaigning for years to get Kramer into the Hall of Fame. While Kramer himself does not actively campaign to get in, he would certainly love the honor. The 79-year-old needs the veteran’s committee to recognize his greatness, something that must happen for the Hall of Fame to be complete. Last summer, the six-time First-Team All-Pro told me that enshrinement would mean everything.
"“Obviously, there would be a great sense of satisfaction and completeness. I would be part of that great group of players and people. It would be the final stamp of approval. I think it would mean a lot to me and my family. I think I would look up and say ‘Coach, we finally got here.’"