ARTICLE: Emmitt calls for change in HOF vote

[jackrussell]

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=300760&originalStoryID=300766&r


Fawcett was blue and white with Cowboys all over
Sunday, August 6, 2006 By JOSH WEIR REPOSITORY STAFF WRITER
http://www.cantonrep.com/photos/August2006/06ensaiken.jpg (http://www.cantonrep.com/more_photos.php?ID=300760&CreationDate2=August2006)
View another photo (http://www.cantonrep.com/more_photos.php?ID=300760&CreationDate2=August2006)
Bob Rossiter Troy Aikman has his picture taken with his bust and his two daughters — Alexa Marie 4 (left) and Jordan Ashley, soon to be 5 — and step-daughter Rachel, after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.





http://www.cantonrep.com/phpAds/adlog.php?bannerid=207&clientid=239&zoneid=4&source=&block=0&capping=0&cb=ab7fe290ad6abc68d0f618801b57d62c


CANTON - How ’bout them Cowboys?

Dallas certainly had its day during Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony as Troy Aikman and Rayfield Wright were inducted into the game’s greatest fraternity. A large contingent of former Cowboy players looked on with plenty of blue and white jerseys spread throughout the Fawcett Stadium crowd of 19,078.

Emmitt Smith soon will add to Dallas’ list of nine Hall of Famers — a total that is a tad low in the minds of many Cowboy fans. However the NFL’s all-time leading rusher wasn’t worried about his bust on this sunny day in Stark County.

“I don’t think about my day much at all,” Smith said. “I just sat back and enjoyed the moment. Being here does give you the opportunity to reflect on whether or not that may happen (for you). But I just wanted to cherish this, because it truly is a wonderful moment.”

Headed by owner Jerry Jones, Cowboy Nation was well represented. The older generation had guys such as Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett and Jethro Pugh in Canton. The Cowboys of the 1990s had Michael Irvin (a 2006 Hall of Fame finalist), Jay Novacek, Daryl Johnston, Nate Newton and Charles Haley on hand.

Aikman, the “everybody’s All-American” quarterback, was the face of the 1990s Cowboys. He led them to three Super Bowl titles in four years, a first in NFL history.

“He meant the world to us,” said Smith, who retired after the 2004 season with 18,355 career rushing yards. “He was in charge of the whole system. ... He was our leader.”

Added Haley, a defensive end and linebacker for Dallas from 1992-1996:

“Troy was the dynasty. He was the greatest quarterback of the ’90s.”

Wright waited 22 years for induction. Newton, a fellow offensive lineman who grew up watching “the Big Cat” on TV, believes that’s a travesty.

“Up to about five years ago, I thought he was already in,” Newton said. “You take for granted what the media and selection committee should know. How can you have a Roger Staubach, a Tony Dorsett, a Calvin Hill, how can you have all these great players on offense ... and not have Rayfield? I mean, who was blocking for these guys?”

Henderson — a linebacker in Dallas from 1975-79 — believes the problem is deeper than misjudgment.

“When people started calling the Cowboys ‘America’s Team,’ I think it created some resentment in the writing community,” Henderson said. “It’s hurt some good players in the organization through the years, particularly the guys from the ’60s and ’70s. They haven’t been treated fairly.”

Smith would like to see the selection process changed, creating a balance of input from the media and former players.

“You’re talking about some of the legends of the game (on that stage),” Smith said. “How many of those guys have a vote? None. That’s the problem.

“Players recognize talent, probably better than most media. ... The media person doesn’t understand everything players have to go through. A matter of fact, most media people don’t understand the depth of a football player.”

As Smith was ready to exit Fawcett, a reporter said he and Irvin are next. Smith didn’t hesitate.

“We’ll deal with my time when my time is here,” he said.
Reach Repository sports writer Josh Weir at (330) 580-8426 or e-mail: josh.weir@cantonrep.com (josh.weir@cantonrep.com)

[THUMPER]

I've been calling for years for a change in the selection process. It is a total joke that sportswriters, representing the cities of each team plus a few "at large" guys like "The Peter King", make up the selection committee.

The committee should be made up of former coaches and players representing each team. Most would be guys who are already in the Hall but in some cases that isn't possible (like with the Saints and Panthers for instance). In the case of the latest expansion teams (like the Texans) the reps might have to be current coaches/players but that would only be for a short time until they start to have "former" guys.

2 Reps from each team would give the selection committee 64 men to vote on players. That might seem like a lot but that way each team would be represented fairly (kinda like the Senate). You would still get some homerism but I think the players would be more fair than the media having played against the guys from other teams.

The case FOR having mediots rather than players has been that they stay well informed about players from every team, current and former, and therefore can make a more intelligent vote, but to me that is BS as we have all seen how poorly informed most mediots truly are when it comes to teams they don't represent locally. Most simply rehash what someone else said/wrote.

It would not be a difficult thing for the committee to be made up of guys who WILL spend the time to get acquainted with the candidates and their accomplishments if they aren't already.

I sent this proposal to the HoF every year for the last 12 years and have yet to receive a single response. Gee, I wonder why.



I totally agree with Hollywood Henderson in his statement that the whole "America's Team" thing has biased the media against the Cowboys. But if they are paying attention they would see that we are STLLL "America's Team" as shown by the number of Cowboys fans at every away game and at this latest HoF induction. We are still the most popular team across the country and even in other parts of the world.

When I went to the Panthers game in December at least one third of the fans in the stadium were wearing Cowboys jerseys/shirts/hats/etc. and most were locals, or at least relatively close (I'm 3 hours from Charlotte).

There is a definite anti-Cowboys bias and it has to stop.

[Scotman]

Excellent points Thumper.

I agree 100%. To think that current NFL players and coaches would not have any background knowledge is just plain silly. I would also bet my bottom dollar that who ever the team elected to vote for them would take that responsibility very seriously. I bet they'd study and be ready to cast intelligent votes.

Instead, you can have a wide receiver who, without question, changed the game of football. Bob Hayes dies without going to the HOF because of the ingnorant press vote; how moronic is that?

[Big Dakota]

I agree. A change should be made, but probably won't. I also agree "America's Team" has probably been a disservice for some players close or on that HOF bubble and even no brainers Like Rayfield and Bob Hayes have suffered.

[riggo]

the skins have been talking about the same deal with joe jacoby/russ grimm. one of them should be in.

in other news, peter king seems to be having a change of heart about monk. hell must be freezing over.

[AmishCowboy]

Monk along with Bob Hayes should be in.

[ZeroClub]

The Cowboys of the 1990s had Michael Irvin (a 2006 Hall of Fame finalist), Jay Novacek, Daryl Johnston, Nate Newton and Charles Haley on hand.Glad to see that Haley was there. I think he'll get into the Hall of Fame one day.

I wasn't sure of Newton's status. I guess I assumed that he was in jail. Wouldn't surprise me to see Nate Newton get into the Hall of Fame, as an old-timer, many years from now.

[Rack Bauer]

the skins have been talking about the same deal with joe jacoby/russ grimm. one of them should be in.

in other news, peter king seems to be having a change of heart about monk. hell must be freezing over.


They should both be in.


And how sports WRITERS can be the ones to determine who the best football players of all time are is beyond me.

These guys don't have the expertise to make that determination. Their expertise is JOURNALISM, not football.

They're no more qualified to vote players into the HOF then anyone on this board, and in a lot of cases they are without a doubt LESS qualified.


It's pathetic. It's pathetic hearing a moron like Peter King say "Bob Hayes shouldn't be in the HOF cuz he had his hands in a hand warmer during the Ice Bowl".

WHAT?!

Then why did they vote in Barry Sanders? Didn't he have a NEGATIVE yards performance in a playoff game?


People that know football, whose (sp?) life is FOOTBALL should be deciding who goes into the HoF, not journalists.

[cwalk]

And there you have it....good post!!!!

[Hostile]

Emmitt, and all of you, are exactly right. The current process is horribly flawed. Just about every fan group has, or has had, a reason to gripe as far as I am concerned.

My anger is at the obvious anit-Cowboys bias. My gosh just last year the Houston Hall of Fame voter (McLean) on his radio show said the San Francisco Hall of Fame voter (Miller) point blank told him he'd never vote a Cowboys player in.

One of the New York voters (Di Trani) had his agenda come to an end yesterday. He told me via e-mail that he will not vote in anyone unless he thinks they were better than harry Carson. That isn't the standard, or at least it shouldn't be.

The Detroit voter (Green) challenged a member of our United States Navy and a member of this forum (Irvin Cowboy) to a fist fight for daring to question his integrity.

These guys are out of touch. If you're a Pittsburgh Steeler great (note not an NFL All Time great, a Steelers all time great) you are a shoe in it seems. I'm not trying to downgrade that team, but if they had that many Hall of Fame players compared to everyone else then they were horrible under achievers and there ought to be hundreds of articles about Bradshaw only won because of that defense and his incredible weapons.

It's a stupid system. Look up Mel Renfro's stats. 54 INTs in 14 seasons, 10 of them he played in the Pro Bowl. It took 19 years for him to be inducted. If he'd been a Steeler, 1st year. Book it.

[SultanOfSix]

The HOF selection process is a joke. Just like Emmitt said, players and former coaches (people who have been actually involved in the game) should have the greatest degree in determining who goes into the HOF. They have the knowledge, experience, as well as comraderie (which is very important) to determine the greatest players to play the game.

Who gives a crap what the majority of what the mediots think? Most of those who aren't former players and coaches who are in the media are there because they love sports but they couldn't play the latter worth a darn. Therefore, they shouldn't be choosing those who could.

[ReturnToGlory]

at least on the HoF vote, baseball has it right.

[the kid 05]

watch Emmitt's not getting in now due to him creating negative press...i would smack a b**** if he wasn't, how can you not induct the Career Rushing Leader.

[big dog cowboy]

:shoot3: my feelings towards those writers with the anti-Cowboy bias flag they salute each day.

:horse: my feelings every year during the HOF weekend.

[notherbob]

I don't even pretend to know anything about it, but it seems to me that the sports writers are only a symptom of the real problem - the board of directors. They are the ones who set policy, all the idiot sports writers do is to be their own small selves.

The moldy old arch-conservatives who are afraid of change fail to realize that no improvement is possible without change. It is they who fail to do their jobs responsibly by blindly clinging to the past. The Buddha taught that all suffering came from people trying to cling to things and resisting change. I'm certainly not a Buddhist, but maybe he has a point in this case.

Those who set policy are the guilty parties, moreso than the small-minded sports bigots carrying out policy to their own satisfaction, to the detriment of the game and the credibility of the organization; after all, they're just being themselves. Surely the board members have seen the problems for decades but lack the courage or wisdom to act on them or even chastize any of the sports writers for their childish ways.

Maybe we are seeing the beginning of change this year, only time will tell. I will wait and see.

[dozin_theknick]

the skins have been talking about the same deal with joe jacoby/russ grimm. one of them should be in.

in other news, peter king seems to be having a change of heart about monk. hell must be freezing over.


All three should be in, no question.

[Crown Royal]

Just about every fan group has, or has had, a reason to gripe as far as I am concerned.


False - see the Cardinals.

[Hostile]

False - see the Cardinals.See qualifier "just about."

[Screw The Hall]

Emmitt, and all of you, are exactly right. The current process is horribly flawed. Just about every fan group has, or has had, a reason to gripe as far as I am concerned.

My anger is at the obvious anit-Cowboys bias. My gosh just last year the Houston Hall of Fame voter (McLean) on his radio show said the San Francisco Hall of Fame voter (Miller) point blank told him he'd never vote a Cowboys player in.

One of the New York voters (Di Trani) had his agenda come to an end yesterday. He told me via e-mail that he will not vote in anyone unless he thinks they were better than harry Carson. That isn't the standard, or at least it shouldn't be.

The Detroit voter (Green) challenged a member of our United States Navy and a member of this forum (Irvin Cowboy) to a fist fight for daring to question his integrity.

These guys are out of touch. If you're a Pittsburgh Steeler great (note not an NFL All Time great, a Steelers all time great) you are a shoe in it seems. I'm not trying to downgrade that team, but if they had that many Hall of Fame players compared to everyone else then they were horrible under achievers and there ought to be hundreds of articles about Bradshaw only won because of that defense and his incredible weapons.

It's a stupid system. Look up Mel Renfro's stats. 54 INTs in 14 seasons, 10 of them he played in the Pro Bowl. It took 19 years for him to be inducted. If he'd been a Steeler, 1st year. Book it.


Great post Hos. Obviously given my forum name you know where I stand on this issue.

It's a real blessing that we have a new generation of Cowboys that are shoe-ins for the Hall, so that they can voice what so many Cowboy fans have been furious about for years. Renfro should be in for sure, Bob Hayes no doubt should be there also.

They've even brainwashed a few Cowboy fans into thinking some of our 90's guys aren't good enough to be in there. Irvin will get in for sure. But the fact that some of our own think his accomplishments on the field were not good enough to warrant entry, make me question whether they watched the 90's at all, or their sanity, one of the two.

[THUMPER]

Great post Hos. Obviously given my forum name you know where I stand on this issue.

It's a real blessing that we have a new generation of Cowboys that are shoe-ins for the Hall, so that they can voice what so many Cowboy fans have been furious about for years. Renfro should be in for sure, Bob Hayes no doubt should be there also.

They've even brainwashed a few Cowboy fans into thinking some of our 90's guys aren't good enough to be in there. Irvin will get in for sure. But the fact that some of our own think his accomplishments on the field were not good enough to warrant entry, make me question whether they watched the 90's at all, or their sanity, one of the two.

I didn't like Irvin but there is no denying that his contribution on the field should ensure him a place in the Hall.

I couldn't stand Deion and can't wait to MISS his inductions speech but he still belongs in the Hall as well. Personal feelings should not influence their induction.

[EGG]

In an NFL channel interview at the induction ceremonies, Al Davis alluded to the fact that the owners had been preoccupied with the TV deal, the big player's union deal and the selection of a new commissioner and that they would try and turn their focus onto the HOF selection process soon. I hope it happens!!

[MC KAos]

In an NFL channel interview at the induction ceremonies, Al Davis alluded to the fact that the owners had been preoccupied with the TV deal, the big player's union deal and the selection of a new commissioner and that they would try and turn their focus onto the HOF selection process soon. I hope it happens!!

i hope so too, having sports writers decide that is just retarded, its like having news casters decide who the next president is(kinda?)

[the kid 05]

i hope so too, having sports writers decide that is just retarded, its like having news casters decide who the next president is(kinda?)

o man that would blow so bad if news casters voted.

[Cogan]

the skins have been talking about the same deal with joe jacoby/russ grimm. one of them should be in.

in other news, peter king seems to be having a change of heart about monk. hell must be freezing over.

Jacoby, Grimm, & Monk should ALL be in there. Just as Hayes, Pearson, Nye, & H. Martin should all be in.

The first problem would be solved if all HOF players had equal vote on the candidates. The second problem is the 6 member maximum set by the HOF. With thousands of players playing each year, you have to raise the ceiling on the amount that can be inducted each year-possibly up to 18-20. Once all of the travesties of justice can be undone for every great of the game, you can drop it down to 10-12. 6 is WAY too low as a max. Too many players have come & gone. We need to make things right before they are all dead, and can't experience what every all-time great has earned the right to experience.

Putting the decision of a bunch of nerds who never played Pro-Football. Hell, half of them probably never played football at all, and THEY are deciding who goes in & who doesn't. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they took the vote from media members all together. In each city, each football writer is biased toward his own team & its players. With the HOF members voting, at least you won't have that as much. Also, every person's vote HAS to be made public. I mean, what are they hiding?

Maybe we should put some of the voting power in the hands of the fans. After all, there wouldn't be an NFL if not for the fans.

[EMMITTnROY]

Emmitt's class might actually be the greatest of all-time.. Emmitt, the all-time leading rusher.. Jerry Rice, the all-time leading reciever.. that's a lot of Super Bowl trophies and a whole lot of yards and a whole lot of records!! who else? Tim Brown I believe.. help me out guys.. regardless of who else there is, having Emmitt and Rice is gonna make it the greatest of all-time..