Old Timers Who Belong in the HOF

[jefferyepayne]

There are lots of pro football players prior to 1970 that deserve some consideration for the HOF. Unfortunately at this point it is very unlikely many of them will get in. Post those you think at least deserve a look and any cards / images you have of them here.

jeff

[DBesse27]

I may be biased, but I do believe the AFL's all time leading scorer and 1964 MVP deserves a look.

[supplex55]

Off the top of my head--Johnny Robinson, Drew Pearson, Cliff Branch and the only 2 time MVP not in the HOF--Daryle Lamonica.

[TanksAndSpartans]

I like colorful cards like Chicles, Leafs, and Bowmans, so I don’t even wind up collecting anything from the eras that I’m most interested. Jeff, can you help me out with some images?

There aren’t any Nessers in the HOF. I’d start with 3 of them (Ted, Frank, and Al). I’d have Calac as I mentioned. Then I’d take Lavvie Dilweg, Duke Slater, and Tony Latone. There’s a handful of other pre-1920 players I’m still researching so I won’t go out on a limb with them, but anyone can pm me for those.

Well, since Dan opened the door to bias, I'll show one card of a player who was both a Tank and a Spartan:

[revmoran]

[jefferyepayne]

Items that depict some of the stars from the 20s are tough to find as most weren't depicted on cards. Here are some images I have for the ones John mentioned above.

1916 Canton Bulldogs composite with Pete Calac.


Image up close.


Ted Nesser (and son). Only father and son to ever play in the NFL together.


Al Nesser.


Tony Latone (plus autograph).


Dilweg.


jeff

[esd10]

Ken anderson, ken the rattler reilly, lamar parrish to name a few that have been very much overlooled by cantons writers/voters

[JTysver]

Jim "Wrong Way" Marshall and Cookie Gilchrist

[Jeff Alcorn]

A few that come to mind-

Eddie Meador, Alex Karras, Gino Cappelletti, Bubba Smith, Johnny Robinson (Chiefs), Bob Boyd (Colts), Jim Marshall, Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Roman Gabriel, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Nance, Dave Grayson, Harold Jackson, Tommy Nobis, George Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Ken Riley, Don Perkins, Lionel Taylor, and nearly everyone else mentioned above. I also heard Bart Starr being interviewed and he really pushed for Bob Skoronski, saying his blocking graded out as well as Forrest Gregg's.

I think that there are too many great players that have been ignored, and I am sure that many more would come to mind if I took the time to compile a list. Eddie Meador is on top of my list (as an old school Rams' fan), and Merlin Olsen advocated for him as have a number of others. He is a quiet and humble guy that does not blow his own horn, but he was the leader on the great Rams defenses under George Allen. Safety is a very overlooked position in the HOF, and this situation should be corrected.

Jeff

[sb1]

Gale Gillingham would be a strong candidate.

[vintagechris]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alcorn

A few that come to mind-

Eddie Meador, Alex Karras, Gino Cappelletti, Bubba Smith, Johnny Robinson (Chiefs), Bob Boyd (Colts), Jim Marshall, Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Roman Gabriel, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Nance, Dave Grayson, Harold Jackson, Tommy Nobis, George Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Ken Riley, Don Perkins, Lionel Taylor, and nearly everyone else mentioned above. I also heard Bart Starr being interviewed and he really pushed for Bob Skoronski, saying his blocking graded out as well as Forrest Gregg's.

I think that there are too many great players that have been ignored, and I am sure that many more would come to mind if I took the time to compile a list. Eddie Meador is on top of my list (as an old school Rams' fan), and Merlin Olsen advocated for him as have a number of others. He is a quiet and humble guy that does not blow his own horn, but he was the leader on the great Rams defenses under George Allen. Safety is a very overlooked position in the HOF, and this situation should be corrected.

Jeff

I really like this list!

[bbcard1]

Personally, I don't think his career was long enough, but Norm Willey is an interesting case. 17 sacks in ONE GAME.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alcorn

A few that come to mind-

Eddie Meador, Alex Karras, Gino Cappelletti, Bubba Smith, Johnny Robinson (Chiefs), Bob Boyd (Colts), Jim Marshall, Lamar Lundy, Rosey Grier, Roman Gabriel, Daryle Lamonica, Jim Nance, Dave Grayson, Harold Jackson, Tommy Nobis, George Byrd, Cookie Gilchrist, Ken Riley, Don Perkins, Lionel Taylor, and nearly everyone else mentioned above. I also heard Bart Starr being interviewed and he really pushed for Bob Skoronski, saying his blocking graded out as well as Forrest Gregg's.

I think that there are too many great players that have been ignored, and I am sure that many more would come to mind if I took the time to compile a list. Eddie Meador is on top of my list (as an old school Rams' fan), and Merlin Olsen advocated for him as have a number of others. He is a quiet and humble guy that does not blow his own horn, but he was the leader on the great Rams defenses under George Allen. Safety is a very overlooked position in the HOF, and this situation should be corrected.

Jeff

These guys always seemed like horrible oversights to me

[VoodooChild]

I agree with a lot of the guys already listed and was trying to think of someone not mentioned yet. I was very young when he played, but I collect 70's and George Kunz seems to have an All-Pro card for just about every year. I guess OL and especially Right Tackles don't get much respect but he was the 2nd overall selection in the '69 draft after O.J. (Mean Joe was 4th). Yeah, the Falcons were bad in the early 70's but he was on the team for their first two winning seasons and then he played for some really good Colts teams in the mid-70's who just ran into better Steelers and Raiders teams. So, he gets my vote.

Also, now that I think about it, another 70's Falcons OL, Center - Jeff Van Note, would get my vote too.