10 NFL Hall of Famers That Shouldn’t Be in the HOF
To be named an NFL Hall of Famers is a dream of all football players.
The NFL Hall of Fame is located in Canton Ohio; for over one hundred years we have been captivated by numerous players who worked their way into immortality in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But there are a few players who are less worthy of their enshrinement than others.
Here are 10 NFL Hall of Famers who shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame.
10. Harry Carson
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 18: Former player Harry Carson looks on before the game between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Harry Carson was a part of the legendary Giant’s defense called the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew”. Carson was a top linebacker in the 1980s but hasn’t done anything to set himself apart from other linebackers that played the game. While he is a nine-time pro bowler and a Superbowl champion, he didn’t do enough in his career to remain memorable for eternity, and since his retirement in 1988, linebackers have only improved in every aspect of their game.
9. Terry Bradshaw
Bradshaw played in a time when NFL offenses preferred to run the ball. Throughout his thirteen-year career, Bradshaw’s Steelers had three Superbowl wins. However, Bradshaw himself was elected to only three Pro Bowls and was named a first-team all-pro one time. Bradshaw only had two seasons where he threw for over 3,000 yards, and never had more than 30 passing touchdowns. These accomplishments are metaphorically peanuts compared to other quarterbacks enshrined in Canton.
8. O.J Simpson
LOVELOCK, NV – JULY 20: O.J. Simpson attends his parole hearing at Lovelock Correctional Center July 20, 2017 in Lovelock, Nevada. Simpson is serving a nine to 33 year prison term for a 2007 armed robbery and kidnapping conviction. (Photo by Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images)
There is no denying that when he was playing, O.J. Simpson was one of the most dominant running backs in the league and at the time worthy to be called an NFL hall of famer. However, what is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Simpson? Despite the conclusion of the O.J. trials, there is still a dark cloud that looms over Simpson’s name. If the NCAA can take away Reggie Bush’s Heisman Trophy for what he did, the NFL can clear a spot in Canton because of what O.J. may have done.
7. Kurt Warner
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 13: Former Quarterback Kurt Warner signs a jersey for a fan before the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 13, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Warner had one of the most interesting paths to the NFL, but upon starting for the Rams in 1999, Warner led the Ram’s offense nicknamed the “Greatest Show on Turf” to a Superbowl win in 2000. Upon finishing his career, Warner had two NFL MVP awards, two all-pro’s and one Superbowl victory. However, critics say that Warner’s accolades are a product of his coaches, and offensive weapons. Warner was surrounded by guys like Marshall Faulk, Tory Holt, Tiki Barber, and Larry Fitzgerald for his entire career. In addition, Warner was an inconsistent starter at times, and was never truly a franchise player.
6. Derrick Thomas
Over a ten-year career, Derrick Thomas and the Kansas City Chiefs accomplished a lot in the regular season, but virtually nothing in the postseason. Derrick Thomas was known for his speed, strength, and versatility at the linebacker position, flipping between left and right outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a solid player on defense, leading the NFL in sacks in 1990 with 20 solo sacks, and he is sixth all-time in forced fumbles with 41 in his decade-long career. However, other than that there is not a lot to remember him by. He was a bright spot on the Chiefs’ defense, but so was Mark Collins, and is he in the Hall of Fame? All in all, Thomas’s accomplishments don’t meet the standards set by linebackers who are inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Derrick Thomas is the odd man out.
5. Terrell Davis
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 24: Former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Davis was a standout running back for the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2001. He retired after only seven years and only had four seasons where he cracked 1,000 yards on the ground. His 2008 yards and 21 touchdowns led the league in 1998, and helped the Broncos win the Super Bowl that year. Davis was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-pro, which compared to other running backs isn’t anything outstanding. Davis may be the best Broncos’ running back of all time, but he is still incomparable to the greats that are enshrined in Canton.
4. Bob Hayes
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 2, 1969: Runningback Bob Hayes #22 of the Dallas Cowboys watches the action from the sidelines during a game on November 2, 1969 against the Cleveland Browns at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by: Tony Tomsic/Getty Images
Bob Hayes was a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965 to 1974, and a member of the rival 49ers for the 1974-1975 season. In his first two years in the league, he had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and over ten touchdowns. However, after this, he was never able to repeat those statistics and failed to crack 1,000 yards and more than ten touchdowns for the rest of his career. Granted, Hayes played in a time where passing the ball was an offense’s second choice, however, he was not consistent throughout his career, and the stats he did put up are comparable to those that Golden Tate had in his career; and is Tate a Hall of Fame contender? Consider this case rested.
3. Bob Griese
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 22: Bob Griese on the field during a halftime ceremony honoring the Dolphins 1972 Perfect Season during the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 22, 2019. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Bob Griese is a product of team success as opposed to personal accolades. He played from 1967 to 1980 and never topped 2,500 yards in a season. In 1972 the Miami Dolphins had a perfect record and won the Super Bowl, becoming the first and so far, only team to do so. During that season, Griese only started five games at quarterback; thus, supporting the idea that he was a product of the great Coach Don Shula, and an outstanding supporting cast.
2. Art Monk
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 18: Art Monk #81 of the Washington Redskins looks on before football game against the New Orleans Saints on November 18, 1990 at RFK Stadium in Washington DC. The Redskins won 31-17. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Art Monk played 15 years for Washington as the team’s leading receiver. In his long career, he racked up just over 12,000 yards, which is just three thousand more than Stefon Diggs has now. Monk never scored over ten touchdowns in a season, and only hit over 1,000 yards five times. All in all, his statistics are not on par with others that are in the Hall of Fame.
1. Joe Namath
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 08: NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath leaves the field during the first quarter at a game between the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 08, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Let’s be honest, Broadway Joe is famous for calling the Jet’s Superbowl victory in Super Bowl three. He was a five-time pro bowler and is widely recognized as a game-manager quarterback. In a 13-year career, Namath threw for less than 20,000 yards, and the most passing touchdowns he had in a year was 20, in 1974. He only had three seasons in his 13-year career where he threw more touchdowns than interceptions; he led the league in picks thrown four times in his career. All in all, with 173 touchdowns and 220 interceptions to his name, Namath should not be in the Hall of Fame.
