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

[Hardline]

I have a lot of admiration for Hershel Walker on and off the field.

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

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.

yards from scrimmage is a reference to the line of scrimmage. So Kick return yards are always excluded

 

[KJJ]

Another knock against Walker being in the Hall of Fame is when he arrived with a Cowboys they were on the way down. He played for some bad Cowboys teams and although he appeared in 6 playoff games over his NFL career his playoff numbers were pretty bad, and he didn’t score a single TD.

 

[ChuckA1]

Yes, I believe he should

 

[Diehardblues]

What in the world are you talking about?

If Herschel hadn’t been traded ,he could have gone on to have a HOF career with the Cowboys during the 90’s.

 

[gimmesix]

CFL is a more credible league. USFL folded after what , 2 or 3 years.

That's fair, but I'm not sure the talent level in the CFL was better than the USFL at that time.

 

[gimmesix]

Warren Moon is in the Hall of Fame because he was in the top five all-time leading NFL passer’s when he retired. Plus, he even won 5 championships in the CFL. Herschel Walker didn’t win any championships in the NFL or USFL. Although he put up a lot of rushing yards in both leagues, he was well down the list of all time rushers in the NFL when he retired. Had he put up all his yards in the NFL he would’ve had over 14,000 rushing yards. That might have been good enough to get him in the Hall of Fame.

You are referencing Moon's championships in another league, but not Herschel's rushing yards in another league. That's the difference.

I agree that Moon's numbers in the NFL alone were good enough, but I distinctly remember some of the voters referencing his CFL success. Either count it or don't count it. For what it's worth the Pro Football Hall of Fame only briefly mentions Moon's CFL days.

 

[rags747]

Do you think that helps or hurts him now?

Helps with 50% of the population and hurts with the other 50%. As far as I’m concerned I’m with the 50% that actually has a brain, the other 50% are just born Lou Zers! Thx…

 

[rags747]

Herschel has always been a strange bird. He never really committed himself to the game of football, thee was always something else going on.

I remember the year some thought he was going to quit and get into law enforcement. One year he was into karate, the next year he was into ballet. As good as he was sometimes, he was never truly focused the way Emmitt was. He had more natural ability than probably any RB in history but I don't know if he really made the effort to hone it, to be the best he could be.

Hey, I could be wrong, I'm just telling you the perception I had of him when he came into the NFL.

Many of us thought that, together with Dorsett, they would form the best duo in the history of football. They converted him to FB for some plays with Dorsett and it was really exciting..

The first season as a Cowboy, everything was going great at midseason. The Cowboys looked strong, they were 6-2. Then the bottom fell out and they finished 1-7 to go 7-9 for the season. It was heartbreaking. They ended up trading Dorsett and the dream was shattered.

The Cowboys never had a winning season with Hershel as a primary rusher. Not his fault but, for all his stats he never really lifted the team.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame probably considers the USFL to have the status of "semi-pro". You can't really blame them. All that league had was a handful of overpaid ex--NFL stars mixed in with a talent pool equivalent to practice squads.

Boy just imagine if he committed. #1 all time if u count his USFL years, not too shabby!

 

[KJJ]

You are referencing Moon's championships in another league, but not Herschel's rushing yards in another league. That's the difference.

I agree that Moon's numbers in the NFL alone were good enough, but I distinctly remember some of the voters referencing his CFL success. Either count it or don't count it. For what it's worth the Pro Football Hall of Fame only briefly mentions Moon's CFL days.

I referenced Moon’s five championships in the CFL because they were probably taken into consideration. However, the main reason he was voted into the Hall of Fame was the point I made earlier, that when he retired from the NFL he was in the top five all-time leading passers in the NFL. That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment when you consider he spent six seasons in the CFL. He also had the second most passing yards (527) in a single game in NFL history. Had he played all those years in the NFL he very likely would’ve been the NFL’s all-time leading passer when he retired. That was all taken into consideration when he was voted in. As for Herschel Walker’s rushing yards in another league, that other league was around for only three years and I’m sure most don’t take the USFL very seriously.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

If Herschel hadn’t been traded ,he could have gone on to have a HOF career with the Cowboys during the 90’s.

You said the trade had something to do with his going to the USFL, which was funny considering Jimmy was at Oklahoma State when Herschel went to the USFL.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Herschel should absolutely be in the HOF.. regardless of what he has done the past recent years. I mean OJ is still in there, and he is still invited to attend the annual events held there, just imagine that.

 

[GMO415]

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.

Believe it or not, some fans in here rank Demarco Murray above Hershel. Hahahaha

 

[gimmesix]

I referenced Moon’s five championships in the CFL because they were probably taken into consideration. However, the main reason he was voted into the Hall of Fame was the point I made earlier, that when he retired from the NFL he was in the top five all-time leading passers in the NFL. That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment when you consider he spent six seasons in the CFL. He also had the second most passing yards (527) in a single game in NFL history. Had he played all those years in the NFL he very likely would’ve been the NFL’s all-time leading passer when he retired. That was all taken into consideration when he was voted in. As for Herschel Walker’s rushing yards in another league, that other league was around for only three years and I’m sure most don’t take the USFL very seriously.

All I'm saying is if one is taken into consideration, the other should be. Maybe most don't take the USFL very seriously, but there were a lot of good NFL players who spent time there before it faded.

I'd argue that the NFL talent in the original USFL was every bit as good as the NFL talent in the CFL.

Two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, a future two-time defensive player of the year and a dominant offensive lineman started their professional careers in the USFL.

Jim Kelly​

Kelly chose the Houston Gamblers over a cold-weather NFL team. He passed for 9,842 yards and 83 TDs in two USFL seasons from 1984-85 and was the league's MVP in 1984. He went on to an 11-year career in Buffalo, where he led the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances.

Reggie White​

The "Minister of Defense" began his professional career with the Memphis Showboats after a standout college career at Tennessee. He had 23.5 sacks in two seasons before taking a pay cut to play with the Eagles in 1985. White finished with 198 sacks between 15 seasons with Philadelphia, Green Bay and Carolina.

Steve Young​

Young signed a 10-year, $40 million deal to play for the Los Angeles Express, and he played two seasons in the USFL. Young's dual-threat style worked in the league. He went on to a 15-year career with Tampa Bay and San Francisco, and he won Super Bowl XXIX MVP honors with the 49ers.

Gary Zimmerman​

Zimmerman started his professional career as a tackle for the Los Angeles Express, where he played two seasons. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection for Minnesota and Denver and helped the Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII.

Heisman winners who played in USFL​

Three straight Heisman Trophy winners from 1982-84 chose to play in the USFL instead of the NFL.

Herschel Walker​

The NFL did not allow juniors to enter its draft, and the USFL exploited that. Walker, who was voted SN's greatest college football player of all time in 2019, bypassed the NFL for the new league. Walker, who won the Heisman Trophy for Georgia in 1982, opted for the New Jersey Generals and the USFL after his junior season. He rushed for 5,562 yards and 54 TDs in three seasons, including 2,411 yards and 21 TDs in 1985.

Mike Rozier​

Rozier won the Heisman Trophy at Nebraska in 1983, and he chose to play for the Pittsburgh Maulers the following season. He also spent one season with the Jacksonville Bulls. He rushed for 2,153 yards and 15 TDs in those two seasons before a seven-year NFL career with Houston and Atlanta.

Doug Flutie​

Flutie won the Heisman Trophy at Boston College in 1984, and he chose the New Jersey Generals the following season. He passed for 2,109 yards, 13 TDs and 14 interceptions. Flutie went on to a career that spanned the CFL and NFL from 1986-2005. He was involved in the announcement of the league's return in 2022.

Hall of Fame coaches, execs from USFL​

The USFL had influences from some legendary coaches and executives through its initial run.

George Allen​

Allen had a 116-47-5 record in the NFL between stints with Los Angeles and Washington, and he took the experience into the USFL. He led the Chicago Blitz to a 12-6 record in 1983 before leaving for the Arizona Wranglers the following season. Arizona finished 10-8 before losing to the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL championship game.

Sid Gillman​

Gillman's coaching days were over, but he was brought on as a consultant for the Oklahoma Outlaws and was instrumental in them signing quarterback Doug Williams, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. Gillman later was a consultant for the Los Angeles Express.

Bill Polian​

Polian left his job as a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs to be the personnel director for the Chicago Blitz. Polian took the same job with the Bills the following season, and the rest is history. He went on to be a successful general manager with Buffalo, Carolina and Indianapolis.

Marv Levy​

Levy coached the Chiefs for five years before the USFL began. He coached the Chicago Blitz in 1984, and it was a 5-13 season. He reunited with Polian in Buffalo, however, and that led to four Super Bowl appearances with the Bills.

Pro Bowlers who played in USFL​

Here is a closer look at some USFL stars who went on to become star NFL Players.

Anthony Carter​

Carter, a star at Michigan, started his professional career as a deep-threat receiver with the Michigan Panthers and played one season with the Oakland Invaders. He averaged 19.0 yards per catch with 27 TDs in three seasons. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings from 1987-89.

Gary Clark​

Clark played two seasons at receiver with the Jacksonville Bulls before becoming a key piece for Washington. The four-time Pro Bowl selection was a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Sean Landeta​

Landeta was a punter for the Philadelphia and Baltimore Stars from 1983-85. The two-time Pro Bowl selection won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.

Kent Hull​

Hull played center for the New Jersey Generals from 1983-85. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a mainstay at center for the Bills from 1986-96.

 

[DandyDon52]

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.

to make it simple , they can only put small # of guys in each year. Just the way it is.
There are a lot of guys who should go in, and most will eventually, a few may never go in.
Also it is political and some guys will be delayed due to that.

But they all will go at some point, Walker will go, just a question of when.
Basically they have more guys to put in than they have slots for.

 

[KJJ]

All I'm saying is if one is taken into consideration, the other should be. Maybe most don't take the USFL very seriously, but there were a lot of good NFL players who spent time there before it faded.

I'd argue that the NFL talent in the original USFL was every bit as good as the NFL talent in the CFL.

Two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, a future two-time defensive player of the year and a dominant offensive lineman started their professional careers in the USFL.

Jim Kelly​

Kelly chose the Houston Gamblers over a cold-weather NFL team. He passed for 9,842 yards and 83 TDs in two USFL seasons from 1984-85 and was the league's MVP in 1984. He went on to an 11-year career in Buffalo, where he led the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances.

Reggie White​

The "Minister of Defense" began his professional career with the Memphis Showboats after a standout college career at Tennessee. He had 23.5 sacks in two seasons before taking a pay cut to play with the Eagles in 1985. White finished with 198 sacks between 15 seasons with Philadelphia, Green Bay and Carolina.

Steve Young​

Young signed a 10-year, $40 million deal to play for the Los Angeles Express, and he played two seasons in the USFL. Young's dual-threat style worked in the league. He went on to a 15-year career with Tampa Bay and San Francisco, and he won Super Bowl XXIX MVP honors with the 49ers.

Gary Zimmerman​

Zimmerman started his professional career as a tackle for the Los Angeles Express, where he played two seasons. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection for Minnesota and Denver and helped the Broncos win Super Bowl XXXII.

Heisman winners who played in USFL​

Three straight Heisman Trophy winners from 1982-84 chose to play in the USFL instead of the NFL.

Herschel Walker​

The NFL did not allow juniors to enter its draft, and the USFL exploited that. Walker, who was voted SN's greatest college football player of all time in 2019, bypassed the NFL for the new league. Walker, who won the Heisman Trophy for Georgia in 1982, opted for the New Jersey Generals and the USFL after his junior season. He rushed for 5,562 yards and 54 TDs in three seasons, including 2,411 yards and 21 TDs in 1985.

Mike Rozier​

Rozier won the Heisman Trophy at Nebraska in 1983, and he chose to play for the Pittsburgh Maulers the following season. He also spent one season with the Jacksonville Bulls. He rushed for 2,153 yards and 15 TDs in those two seasons before a seven-year NFL career with Houston and Atlanta.

Doug Flutie​

Flutie won the Heisman Trophy at Boston College in 1984, and he chose the New Jersey Generals the following season. He passed for 2,109 yards, 13 TDs and 14 interceptions. Flutie went on to a career that spanned the CFL and NFL from 1986-2005. He was involved in the announcement of the league's return in 2022.

Hall of Fame coaches, execs from USFL​

The USFL had influences from some legendary coaches and executives through its initial run.

George Allen​

Allen had a 116-47-5 record in the NFL between stints with Los Angeles and Washington, and he took the experience into the USFL. He led the Chicago Blitz to a 12-6 record in 1983 before leaving for the Arizona Wranglers the following season. Arizona finished 10-8 before losing to the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL championship game.

Sid Gillman​

Gillman's coaching days were over, but he was brought on as a consultant for the Oklahoma Outlaws and was instrumental in them signing quarterback Doug Williams, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. Gillman later was a consultant for the Los Angeles Express.

Bill Polian​

Polian left his job as a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs to be the personnel director for the Chicago Blitz. Polian took the same job with the Bills the following season, and the rest is history. He went on to be a successful general manager with Buffalo, Carolina and Indianapolis.

Marv Levy​

Levy coached the Chiefs for five years before the USFL began. He coached the Chicago Blitz in 1984, and it was a 5-13 season. He reunited with Polian in Buffalo, however, and that led to four Super Bowl appearances with the Bills.

Pro Bowlers who played in USFL​

Here is a closer look at some USFL stars who went on to become star NFL Players.

Anthony Carter​

Carter, a star at Michigan, started his professional career as a deep-threat receiver with the Michigan Panthers and played one season with the Oakland Invaders. He averaged 19.0 yards per catch with 27 TDs in three seasons. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings from 1987-89.

Gary Clark​

Clark played two seasons at receiver with the Jacksonville Bulls before becoming a key piece for Washington. The four-time Pro Bowl selection was a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Sean Landeta​

Landeta was a punter for the Philadelphia and Baltimore Stars from 1983-85. The two-time Pro Bowl selection won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.

Kent Hull​

Hull played center for the New Jersey Generals from 1983-85. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a mainstay at center for the Bills from 1986-96.

All the great players and coaches you listed, had Hall of Fame NFL careers. That’s where they established themselves as Hall of Fame players. Herschel Walker was a great player but he didn’t have a Hall of Fame NFL career. He had a good NFL career, but his career numbers weren’t good enough for the Hall of Fame. When he left the Cowboys in 89 via the trade, he pretty much flamed out in Minnesota. He never came close to living up to the player they thought he was going to be. I mentioned his postseason numbers in the NFL and they were dismal.

 

[quickccc]

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.

That's a propaganda farce (by media or NFL?) ... no NFL player that is voted into NFL Hall of Fame (ala Warren Moon) is based off a Canadian career ...

If that was the case, Vince Ferragoma would have been in the NFL hall of fame ...

 

[Tabascocat]

Flip a coin, a case could be made either way.

 

[TheCritic]

If you think about it, Herschel Walker helped the Cowboys win 3 super bowls more than any other player. Definitely should be the HOF for that!

 

[Flamma]

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.

I was just going to mention him, and here you are on the 2nd post. It's the pro football hall of fame, not the NFL hall of fame. I just think they don't take the NSFL seriously enough to consider it. But Walker was a freak athlete, anyone watching him play could see that. He absolutely should be in the HOF.