CFZ Should Herschel Walker be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

[Jumbo075]

When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, all the statistics compiled by the players in the AFL were included in their official statistical history. But when the USFL folded in the mid-1980's, the statistics compiled by the players, including luminaries like Herschel Walker, Reggie White and Jim Kelly were not included in their overall professional football statistics. That is why Bruce Smith is credited with the most sacks in history (200) ahead of Reggie White (198.) If you include the 23.5 sacks Reggie White had while playing in the USFL in 1984 & 1985, Reggie White is the clear #1 all-time sacks leader with 221.5 sacks in his Pro Football career.

In the USFL playing for the New Jersey Generals, Herschel Walker had 7,115 yards from scrimmage.

• 1,143 rushing attempts for 5,562 yards
• 130 receptions for 1,484 yards
• 3 kick returns for 69 yards.

Currently, Herschel Walker ranks 48th in NFL history in total yards from scrimmage, sandwiched between HOF RB Roger Craig at #47, and HOF WR Art Monk at #49. He is 2 spots ahead of soon-to-be HOF TE Jason Witten, who is ranked 50th all-time on the total yards from scrimmage list.

In the NFL, Herschel Walker has a total of 18,168 total yards from scrimmage.

• 1954 rushing attempts for 8,225 yards
• 512 receptions for 4,859 yards
• 215 kick returns for 5,084 yards

If you added his USFL statistics, Herschel Walker would rank #1 on the Total Yards from Scrimmage list with 25,283 yards compiled - 1,743 yards ahead of currently ranked #1 Jerry Rice, and 3,704 yards ahead of currently ranked #2 Emmitt Smith. Even if you exclude his kick return yardage, he would rank 4th all-time, behind Walter Payton with 20,130 Total Yards rushing and receiving.

Walker, even without his USFL statistics currently ranks 45th all time in rushing yards, ahead of HOF players Roger Craig, Larry Czonka, and Terrell Davis. If you add his USFL numbers, he has a total of 13,787 total rushing yards, which would rank him 7th all-time, ahead of HOF RB LaDanian Tomlinson, and just behind HOF RB Curtis Martin. Walker's receiving yards would rank 197th all-time, and his kick return yards would rank 32nd all-time.

In Canton, they call it the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not the NFL Hall of Fame. I'm not sure how they can justify excluding Herschel Walker from among the luminaries inducted into company of legends already included therein.

 

[gimmesix]

Walker should be in because Warren Moon is. They clearly considered Moon's CFL success when deciding to put him in the hall. However, Hall voters are an inconsistent bunch in their rationale.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Yes. If for no other reason what he did for the Cowboys.

I'll admit I panicked when he got traded.

 

[tunahelper]

When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, all the statistics compiled by the players in the AFL were included in their official statistical history. But when the USFL folded in the mid-1980's, the statistics compiled by the players, including luminaries like Herschel Walker, Reggie White and Jim Kelly were not included in their overall professional football statistics. That is why Bruce Smith is credited with the most sacks in history (200) ahead of Reggie White (198.) If you include the 23.5 sacks Reggie White had while playing in the USFL in 1984 & 1985, Reggie White is the clear #1 all-time sacks leader with 221.5 sacks in his Pro Football career.

In the USFL playing for the New Jersey Generals, Herschel Walker had 7,115 yards from scrimmage.

• 1,143 rushing attempts for 5,562 yards
• 130 receptions for 1,484 yards
• 3 kick returns for 69 yards.

Currently, Herschel Walker ranks 48th in NFL history in total yards from scrimmage, sandwiched between HOF RB Roger Craig at #47, and HOF WR Art Monk at #49. He is 2 spots ahead of soon-to-be HOF TE Jason Witten, who is ranked 50th all-time on the total yards from scrimmage list.

In the NFL, Herschel Walker has a total of 18,168 total yards from scrimmage.

• 1954 rushing attempts for 8,225 yards
• 512 receptions for 4,859 yards
• 215 kick returns for 5,084 yards

If you added his USFL statistics, Herschel Walker would rank #1 on the Total Yards from Scrimmage list with 25,283 yards compiled - 1,743 yards ahead of currently ranked #1 Jerry Rice, and 3,704 yards ahead of currently ranked #2 Emmitt Smith. Even if you exclude his kick return yardage, he would rank 4th all-time, behind Walter Payton with 20,130 Total Yards rushing and receiving.

Walker, even without his USFL statistics currently ranks 45th all time in rushing yards, ahead of HOF players Roger Craig, Larry Czonka, and Terrell Davis. If you add his USFL numbers, he has a total of 13,787 total rushing yards, which would rank him 7th all-time, ahead of HOF RB LaDanian Tomlinson, and just behind HOF RB Curtis Martin. Walker's receiving yards would rank 197th all-time, and his kick return yards would rank 32nd all-time.

In Canton, they call it the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not the NFL Hall of Fame. I'm not sure how they can justify excluding Herschel Walker from among the luminaries inducted into company of legends already included therein.

Walker is a HOF caliber player. His numbers would reflect that if he spent his whole career in NFL. Great job illustrating his accomplishments.

Not that it matters to the NFL, but let's recall his Olympic and MMA accomplishments as well.

 

[NeathBlue]

Absolutely he should…
I’m convinced we could have won the Super Bowl in his first season if Danny White doesn’t get injured in the Meadowlands.
His debut against the Giants on MNF was a great game, I listened to it live on the armed forces network radio which we could just about pick up here in the UK.
It was also Al Michaels first MNF commentary alongside Frank Gifford.

 

[MS17]

When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, all the statistics compiled by the players in the AFL were included in their official statistical history. But when the USFL folded in the mid-1980's, the statistics compiled by the players, including luminaries like Herschel Walker, Reggie White and Jim Kelly were not included in their overall professional football statistics. That is why Bruce Smith is credited with the most sacks in history (200) ahead of Reggie White (198.) If you include the 23.5 sacks Reggie White had while playing in the USFL in 1984 & 1985, Reggie White is the clear #1 all-time sacks leader with 221.5 sacks in his Pro Football career.

In the USFL playing for the New Jersey Generals, Herschel Walker had 7,115 yards from scrimmage.

• 1,143 rushing attempts for 5,562 yards
• 130 receptions for 1,484 yards
• 3 kick returns for 69 yards.

Currently, Herschel Walker ranks 48th in NFL history in total yards from scrimmage, sandwiched between HOF RB Roger Craig at #47, and HOF WR Art Monk at #49. He is 2 spots ahead of soon-to-be HOF TE Jason Witten, who is ranked 50th all-time on the total yards from scrimmage list.

In the NFL, Herschel Walker has a total of 18,168 total yards from scrimmage.

• 1954 rushing attempts for 8,225 yards
• 512 receptions for 4,859 yards
• 215 kick returns for 5,084 yards

If you added his USFL statistics, Herschel Walker would rank #1 on the Total Yards from Scrimmage list with 25,283 yards compiled - 1,743 yards ahead of currently ranked #1 Jerry Rice, and 3,704 yards ahead of currently ranked #2 Emmitt Smith. Even if you exclude his kick return yardage, he would rank 4th all-time, behind Walter Payton with 20,130 Total Yards rushing and receiving.

Walker, even without his USFL statistics currently ranks 45th all time in rushing yards, ahead of HOF players Roger Craig, Larry Czonka, and Terrell Davis. If you add his USFL numbers, he has a total of 13,787 total rushing yards, which would rank him 7th all-time, ahead of HOF RB LaDanian Tomlinson, and just behind HOF RB Curtis Martin. Walker's receiving yards would rank 197th all-time, and his kick return yards would rank 32nd all-time.

In Canton, they call it the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not the NFL Hall of Fame. I'm not sure how they can justify excluding Herschel Walker from among the luminaries inducted into company of legends already included therein.

I don't see how they justify excluding Herschel either. His football resume is solid. Won the Heisman and Maxwell Award while at Georgia, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. I guess the voters only consider NFL achievements and milestones.

 

[Whirlwin]

I don't see how they justify excluding Herschel either. His football resume is solid. Won the Heisman and Maxwell Award while at Georgia, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. I guess the voters only consider NFL achievements and milestones.

Yes, NFL achievements only

 

[Whirlwin]

If he took Minnesota to a Super Bowl then yes, but obviously not

 

[Jumbo075]

Walker should be in because Warren Moon is. They clearly considered Moon's CFL success when deciding to put him in the hall. However, Hall voters are an inconsistent bunch in their rationale.

CFL statistics are "allowed" to be included, according to HOF guidance.

 

[DuncanIso]

Yes.

He has the stats. and the rep.

 

[rags747]

Most Definitely YES. I have been saying this for a couple of years now. What it’s going to take is for someone to make a big publicized push for him.

 

[erod]

Yes.

You can't tell the story of the NFL without mentioning his name. It's not all about silly stats. Herschell was a dude and a massive name in this league.

 

[Motorola]

When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, all the statistics compiled by the players in the AFL were included in their official statistical history. But when the USFL folded in the mid-1980's, the statistics compiled by the players, including luminaries like Herschel Walker, Reggie White and Jim Kelly were not included in their overall professional football statistics. That is why Bruce Smith is credited with the most sacks in history (200) ahead of Reggie White (198.) If you include the 23.5 sacks Reggie White had while playing in the USFL in 1984 & 1985, Reggie White is the clear #1 all-time sacks leader with 221.5 sacks in his Pro Football career.

In the USFL playing for the New Jersey Generals, Herschel Walker had 7,115 yards from scrimmage.

• 1,143 rushing attempts for 5,562 yards
• 130 receptions for 1,484 yards
• 3 kick returns for 69 yards.

Currently, Herschel Walker ranks 48th in NFL history in total yards from scrimmage, sandwiched between HOF RB Roger Craig at #47, and HOF WR Art Monk at #49. He is 2 spots ahead of soon-to-be HOF TE Jason Witten, who is ranked 50th all-time on the total yards from scrimmage list.

In the NFL, Herschel Walker has a total of 18,168 total yards from scrimmage.

• 1954 rushing attempts for 8,225 yards
• 512 receptions for 4,859 yards
• 215 kick returns for 5,084 yards

If you added his USFL statistics, Herschel Walker would rank #1 on the Total Yards from Scrimmage list with 25,283 yards compiled - 1,743 yards ahead of currently ranked #1 Jerry Rice, and 3,704 yards ahead of currently ranked #2 Emmitt Smith. Even if you exclude his kick return yardage, he would rank 4th all-time, behind Walter Payton with 20,130 Total Yards rushing and receiving.

Walker, even without his USFL statistics currently ranks 45th all time in rushing yards, ahead of HOF players Roger Craig, Larry Czonka, and Terrell Davis. If you add his USFL numbers, he has a total of 13,787 total rushing yards, which would rank him 7th all-time, ahead of HOF RB LaDanian Tomlinson, and just behind HOF RB Curtis Martin. Walker's receiving yards would rank 197th all-time, and his kick return yards would rank 32nd all-time.

In Canton, they call it the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not the NFL Hall of Fame. I'm not sure how they can justify excluding Herschel Walker from among the luminaries inducted into company of legends already included therein.

'Jumbo075' - much respect to you (as always for your contributions as a TRUE pro football fan /historian/researcher) for creating this thread.

Sean Landeta; Nate Newton; Jimmy Smith; Reggie White; Steve Young;
. Gary Zimmerman, Bobby Herbert, Kelvin Bryant, Sam Mills, Jim Kelly.
These players - and a few more - started out in the fledging USFL for the bigger contracts they offered v. the NFL put forth at that time.
But these players - and others - exceeded on the field where the NFL reversed course and began to lure these proven Pro Football Stars over to their long-standing near monopailstic league = enterprise control.

 

[Diehardblues]

When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, all the statistics compiled by the players in the AFL were included in their official statistical history. But when the USFL folded in the mid-1980's, the statistics compiled by the players, including luminaries like Herschel Walker, Reggie White and Jim Kelly were not included in their overall professional football statistics. That is why Bruce Smith is credited with the most sacks in history (200) ahead of Reggie White (198.) If you include the 23.5 sacks Reggie White had while playing in the USFL in 1984 & 1985, Reggie White is the clear #1 all-time sacks leader with 221.5 sacks in his Pro Football career.

In the USFL playing for the New Jersey Generals, Herschel Walker had 7,115 yards from scrimmage.

• 1,143 rushing attempts for 5,562 yards
• 130 receptions for 1,484 yards
• 3 kick returns for 69 yards.

Currently, Herschel Walker ranks 48th in NFL history in total yards from scrimmage, sandwiched between HOF RB Roger Craig at #47, and HOF WR Art Monk at #49. He is 2 spots ahead of soon-to-be HOF TE Jason Witten, who is ranked 50th all-time on the total yards from scrimmage list.

In the NFL, Herschel Walker has a total of 18,168 total yards from scrimmage.

• 1954 rushing attempts for 8,225 yards
• 512 receptions for 4,859 yards
• 215 kick returns for 5,084 yards

If you added his USFL statistics, Herschel Walker would rank #1 on the Total Yards from Scrimmage list with 25,283 yards compiled - 1,743 yards ahead of currently ranked #1 Jerry Rice, and 3,704 yards ahead of currently ranked #2 Emmitt Smith. Even if you exclude his kick return yardage, he would rank 4th all-time, behind Walter Payton with 20,130 Total Yards rushing and receiving.

Walker, even without his USFL statistics currently ranks 45th all time in rushing yards, ahead of HOF players Roger Craig, Larry Czonka, and Terrell Davis. If you add his USFL numbers, he has a total of 13,787 total rushing yards, which would rank him 7th all-time, ahead of HOF RB LaDanian Tomlinson, and just behind HOF RB Curtis Martin. Walker's receiving yards would rank 197th all-time, and his kick return yards would rank 32nd all-time.

In Canton, they call it the Pro Football Hall of Fame, not the NFL Hall of Fame. I'm not sure how they can justify excluding Herschel Walker from among the luminaries inducted into company of legends already included therein.

It’s an excellent argument. I was a big fan of #34. He was such a freak athlete. Prob could have played well into his 40’s in such incredible physical shape.

But the opposing argument is the competition wasn’t as strong in USFL where he amassed much of his yards which his NFL stats wouldn’t be near enough.

It’s a shame cause if he’d of stayed in Dallas he was certainly on his way to a HOF career as he led the league in rushing in 1988 on a 3-13 Cowboys team but what made his draft lure so compelling in 1989.

Herschel made the choice when going to the USFL , being attracted by the lure of a new league, flashy arrogant owner and big payday. He’s probably going to have to live with that decision costing him an induction.

 

[Diehardblues]

Yes.

You can't tell the story of the NFL without mentioning his name. It's not all about silly stats. Herschell was a dude and a massive name in this league.

Yea, an incredible athlete and talent .

If had come directly to NFL and especially stayed with Dallas he could have made probably a stronger case . He also wasn’t used as effectively as he could have been in Minn or Philthy .

Plus there’s many other Cowboys I’d rather make the argument for induction than Herschel.

 

[TheMightyVanHalen]

He's my pick for the most underrated athlete in my era. I love me some Hershal. But take away his USFL stats, I don't know if he gets in with his NFL stats alone. Forgive my ignorance here, but the HOF is just for players who played in the NFL, correct?

Since he was so durable, he could've been a shoo-in for the HOF if he started and stayed in the NFL. He's a physical specimen.

 

[Diehardblues]

Also worth noting is what an excellent 5th round pick Tex made for Herschel when he chose to go to Jersey Generals . That’s what enabled him to come to Dallas once USFL folded.

Almost as good of a future pick as a 10th round future pick Tex made in 1964 for a guy named Staubach.

 

[Diehardblues]

He's my pick for the most underrated athlete in my era. I love me some Hershal. But take away his USFL stats, I don't know if he gets in with his NFL stats alone. Forgive my ignorance here, but the HOF is just for players who played in the NFL, correct?

Since he was so durable, he could've been a shoo-in for the HOF if he started and stayed in the NFL. He's a physical specimen.

Not necessarily. AFL players were also considered for HOF because of the merger .

 

[Diehardblues]

Most Definitely YES. I have been saying this for a couple of years now. What it’s going to take is for someone to make a big publicized push for him.

With his recent publicized embarrassment I’m not sure anyone outside that circle really wants to make a push for him. It’s a shame cause before that there probably was. Choose your friends and associates wisely . It can come back to haunt you.

 

[Diehardblues]

Well, he did play for a team owned by an unnamed politician.

Do you think that helps or hurts him now?