10 biggest snubs from the Pro Football Hall of Fame

4. Hall of Fame snubs: Ken Anderson

Before the NFL changed its offensive rules in 1978, the passing game was no doubt a factor in the league but quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends in particular really had to be on their toes as physical play dominated the NFL for so many decades.

So 42 years ago, the league opted to make life easier to throw the football. From pass blocking changes to no contact after five years, it was really the first step in the evolution of the current passing game. So a quarterback who managed to throw more interceptions than touchdown passes interceptions during those days deserves a lot of credit. And there are those who feel that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, the NFL MVP in 1981, certainly deserves a bust in Canton, Ohio, based on his consistent play.

In his first six years in the league from 1971-77, pre-rule changed, he threw 99 TD passes compared to only 69 picks. The four-time Pro Bowler and 1981 All-Pro remain the Bengals’ all-time leader in passing yards (32,838) and touchdown throws (197). Anderson guided the franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance (XVI) and had quite the career for a third-round pick from Augustana College (Illinois).