3 all-time greats the Pro Football Hall of Fame needs to make room for

This weekend, we had the 2014 Pro Football induction ceremony in Canton, OH. The group included: Derrick Brooks, Ray Guy, Walter Jones, Andre Reed, Michael Strahan, Aeneas Williams and Claude Humphrey. None of them are better than the pictured above.

1. Jerry Kramer

Cliff Christl, packers.com:

Jerry Kramer is kept out of this exclusive club because there were still a number of veteran writers on the committee that grew up with the American Football League, and word is they were adamantly opposed to another Lombardi Packer getting in. Dave Robinson was the 11th Lombardi Era player to be inducted into the Hall.

• Voted Greatest Guard first 50 years of NFL
• Scored 177 points, including 91 in 1964(year of Paul Hornung suspension)
• Only 10 time finalist to not be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Only member of first 50 years team to not be in Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Dallas Cowboys Head Coach, Tom Landry, "The guy was a great player. He should get credit for more than the key block on one of the most famous games in NFL history." This is the “Ice Bowl” playoff game in 1967 between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers where Jerry’s block on DT Jethroe Pugh allowed QB Bart Starr to score a winning TD on a quarterback sneak.
• 6. Green Bay Packers Head Coach, Vince Lombardi, "Best guard that I ever saw play".

2. Jerry Smith


Charles Barkley, TNT analyst:

“Barkley It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say: 'Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy.' First of all, quit telling me what I think. I'd rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can't play.”

To compare Jerry Smith to TE Tony Gonzalez (111 touchdowns) would be unfair. Current NFL tight ends, Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers has 83 touchdowns and Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots has already caught 38. The tight end is a much more prominent position in the pass happy NFL. The New Orleans Saints recently gave TE Jimmy Graham $40 million on a four year contract.

The tight ends that have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame include: Mike Ditka, John Mackey, Charlie Sanders, Kellen Winslow, Dave Casper, Shannon Sharpe, Ozzie Newsome and Jackie Smith. Only one of these, Shannon Sharpe with 62, caught more touchdown passes than Washington Redskins TE, Jerry Smith (60). The 215 lb. converted wide receiver played 13 seasons, missing only seven games while losing only one fumble.

It is really a matter of perception that got Detroit Lions TE, Charlie Sanders elected to the HOF. Playing on relatively mediocre teams, Charlie stood out. He fit the bill of a prototypical TE at 6’4 230 lbs. His career touchdown mark of 31 with 336 catches is the lowest of all the tight ends in Canton. Jerry Smith had 85 more receptions more than Sanders along with 29 more touchdowns.

Bill Rhoden, outsports.com:

When I was first told that he was gay, it was a shock. I was probably - this was in the 70s - I was probably slightly homophobic. But watching him and being a member of a team with him and watching how he contributed as a teammate it got me past - he was a wonderful teammate and a great player.

Calvin Hill, the excellent RB of the Dallas Cowboys was always looking for ways to help his team win. He would sit in on the defensive meetings. Not only did he learn some things, but contributed some ideas that might help his Cowboys. When the opponent was the Washington Redskins, the first question was “how are we going to stop Jerry Smith? “ Calvin was later a teammate of Jerry’s on the Redskins at the tail end of his career. Head Coach George Allen was phasing Jerry out of the offense. He never complained about not having passes thrown his way, and continued to be a ferocious blocker. "In my opinion, he is a Hall of Fame TE", said Hill.

3. Gino Cappelletti

Despite his star quality, his numerous records, his all-around skills and his uniqueness, like other worthy American Football League players, he is still continually passed over by the selectors for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Nicknamed “Mr. Patriot”, Gino Cappelletti holds the record for the most scored in the American Football League (AFL). This was only one of many achievements for the versatile two way performer. Gino played running back and wide receiver on offense, defensive back, placekicker and punter.

• All-time leading scorer in AFL – 1130 points
• Scored most touchdowns on Saturdays (10) in Pro Football history
• Intercepted three passes in AFL game against Oakland Raiders
• Has two of the top scoring seasons in Pro Football History with 147 and 155 points
• Only player in Pro Football history in one game to: catch a 2 point conversion, thrown a 2 point conversion, catch a pass, intercept a pass, return a punt, return a kickoff, and kickoff.
• One of only 3 players to play in all games in the AFL (1960-1970).

This great ambassador proves he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I don’t think it is too much to ask. Let’s not wait any longer.

According to SI.com the names are out for possible induction for 2015- Pick 6: OT Orlando Pace, WR Tim Brown, QB Kurt Warner, LB Junior Seau, RB Jerome Bettis, DE Charles Haley, PK Morten Anderson, Safety John Lynch, RB Roger Craig and Head Coach, Tony Dungy.

He who hesitates is lost. If you have to think about whether they are really hall of famers, then they don’t belong. I will take Kurt Warner, Junior Seau and Charles Haley.

I contend that if DT Warren Sapp hadn’t slipped on draft day due to his marijuana use, we wouldn’t have heard of him. He was inducted into the HOF in 2013. DE Fred Dean, of the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers, was a 3rd down specialist used strictly to rush the passer. He was inducted into the HOF in 2008. If we take out DE Claude Humphrey from the class of 2014, we have room for: Kramer, Smith and Cappelletti.

Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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