Biggest Hall of Fame snub for all 32 NFL teams

PASADENA, CA- JANUARY 9: Jim Marshall #70 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the bench against the Oakland Raiders during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Raiders won the Super Bowl 32 -14. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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Dallas Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley rests on the sideline during a 34-27 win over the San Diego Chargers on 11/5/1972 at San Diego Stadium. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) /

Dallas Cowboys

Notable Hall of Fame Snub: LB Chuck Howley

He may be most notable for being the only player to be named Super Bowl MVP from the losing team, but Howley was one of the NFL’s most dominant linebackers in the 1960s. A star for the Cowboys from 1961-1973, Howley made six Pro Bowls and was a five-time first-team All-Pro during his prime.

It is simply astonishing that Howley isn’t in the Hall of Fame already. Now a senior candidate, Howley has to fight through a deep pool of snubs to have his case heard, although the Hall’s recent decision to expand its annual pool of senior inductees from two to three could help expedite the process.

Denver Broncos

Notable Hall of Fame Snub: LB Randy Gradishar

The headliner of the Broncos’ famed “Orange Crush” defense, Gradishar hasn’t heard his name called for Canton. A seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Gradishar was also named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 and helped anchor a defense that season that allowed just 198 points in 16 games, ranking only behind the Steel Curtain of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

It is possible that the relatively short length of Gradishar’s career (he only played 10 seasons) hurt him in an era of dominant defensive players. Gradishar’s 2,049 tackles are nothing to sneeze at and he is another player who should have his case examined as a senior candidate in the coming years.

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