The Pro Football Hall of Fame was founded in the early 1960s. Over 300 players, coaches and contributors have been enshrined over the last six decades.
For literally dozens of years, there have been many discussions about certain players observers believed had been slighted by the Hall's Board of Selectors. Sometimes conversations centered upon players who established careers that seemingly demanded first-ballot validation but who were not voted in on their first try.
Fans, media, peers and even the players themselves were asked how they felt about so-called worthy first-ballot inductees being passed over in their first year of eligibility. Answers have varied between a multitude of reactions, ranging from confusion, disgust, anger, etc.
Yet, in all this time, those who felt cheated ultimately put their personal feelings aside, stood tall and proud before their peers and fans, and received their delayed honors in person. Occasionally, families did the same, receiving the honor in place of their famous member, who was unable to bask within their well-deserved moment of glory--perhaps due to illness or even death.
These were and are testaments of ADMIRABLE character, human beings standing boldly in the face of and despite the adversity initiated by a small group of flawed individuals, who make flawed judgments of others' career achievements and their significant impact on the game itself. They rose above their judges and passed through that shining front door straight into football immortality, like all their distinguished colleagues who preceded them.
...and now Terrell Owens purposefully squirms through the back door.
/rant