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

[Captain-Crash]

His being traded and helping us build a great team is of HOF caliber. he gets in on that, like jerry getting in on scamming the fans and building a business empire. shrugs

 

[Flamma]

Absolutely. Sorry, Flamm.

Herschel had one great year in the NFL w/ his 1,500 yd season. It was his only great year. That one great year begot us the draft capital that led to 3 super bowls in 4 years.

He never came close to reproducing those results, the closest being his 1,070 yds in 92. There simply doesn't appear to be any greatness to his career.

What is it you're seeing that makes you perceive him as great?

Unfortunately most of his best days was in college and the USFL, but outside of that 1500 yard season, he really didn't get a lot of carries. And he got those yards on a 3-13 team. The other year you mentioned was his 2nd highest carries for a season.

I remember him returning punts for TDs at age 34 or 35. That's not a normal RB.

 

[Longboysfan]

No - Not Pro.
College - Yes.

 

[eromeopolk]

Agreed. 50,000 yards for a 28 year old rookie is impressive. And dude was throwing 4000 yards a season before it became something that every quarterback can do with the new rules and offenses.

Warren Moon is a very inspiring story. If they did consider anything from the other league, it was worth it. Guy was blackballed because of prejudice in the 1980s on who should be a quarterback, but wouldn’t give up. Almost makes up for the constant domestic violence charges. (ouch, I said it)

Innocent until proven guilty is the law of this land....I think. But Warren Moon was a great QB in the entirety of Professional Football. He was know of throwing the prettiest spirals. Warren Moon, Doug Williams, Joe Namath, Dan Marino and Slinging Sammy Baugh threw the best and tightest spiral passes.

 

[Jumbo075]

Absolutely. Sorry, Flamm.

Herschel had one great year in the NFL w/ his 1,500 yd season. It was his only great year. That one great year begot us the draft capital that led to 3 super bowls in 4 years.

He never came close to reproducing those results, the closest being his 1,070 yds in 92. There simply doesn't appear to be any greatness to his career.

What is it you're seeing that makes you perceive him as great?

It was his 3 great years in the USFL, plus his great year in the NFL - which proved his USFL numbers were not a fluke - that created the capital to trade him.

 

[eromeopolk]

I don't disagree with that. What I was referencing was that the CFL factored into Moon's selection. But those who say Walker just didn't do enough in the NFL are likely right that it is why he is excluded and Moon isn't. The other leagues only factor in when the player's NFL numbers alone are good enough. Found this from an old The Athletic article:

Other leagues have existed with varying levels of success, but rarely for long. The ecosystem of American football has included the United States Football League of the mid-1980s, the World Football League of the 1970s, and a wild hodgepodge of barnstorming, fly-by-night leagues in the first half of the 20th century.

All of the players, coaches, owners, executives, etc., from those leagues are technically eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but the 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity has been so closely aligned with the NFL since it opened in 1963 that any mostly non-NFL inductee is a rarity. The 49-member selection committee is comprised entirely of media members in NFL cities along with a slate of at-large media folks — some with NFL playing or coaching resumes.

It’s generally understood that anyone from non-NFL leagues must also have had a worthy NFL career to get a bronze bust in Canton, said Rich Desrosiers, the Hall’s chief communications and content officer.

“There were many good players (in other leagues), but in considering them for the Hall of Fame, their resume needs to have shown an extensive career in the NFL, as well,” Desrosiers said.

Regarding the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame, I am not a fan because of the bias against electing Dallas Cowboys players. Harvey Martin, Darren Woodson, Cornell Green, Lee Roy Jordan, Everson Walls, Nate Newton, Erik Williams, and Mark Stepnoski should all be Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame. Steelers have their whole team from the so called 70's dynasty in the Hall of Fame (even though 70's Dallas Cowboys had more wins, played in more Super Bowls, and more playoff games). So you would think the 90's Dynasty would get the same respect by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not.

 

[Thomas82]

Yes, his career is much better than people remember.

 

[KJJ]

He should be an honorary member in the ROH. He could be inducted on the same day as Jimmy Johnson!

Walker being an honorary member of the ROH is probably more likely than Jimmy ever getting into ROH. Lol

 

[Cowboys5217]

People really under rate Walker's USFL career. How can you ignore 2411 rushing yards in 18 games? Some claim "well, Dickerson had 2105 in 16 game, and Walker had an extra 2 games."

Think about what that means, though. If Walker had the same amount of yards as Dickerson did at 16 games (2100) then that means Walker averaged 150 yards per game with is extra two games. He also averaged 5.5 yards per carry over that span and rushed for 21 TDs.

25283 all purpose yards.
145 TDs.
The single greatest rushing season in pro football history.
The trade that lead to the team of the 1990s.

Walker is critical to the history of the league and much lesser careers and players have been inducted to the HoF. Walker belongs.

 

[CowboyFrog]

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 think he should, great player no doubt.

 

[Silverz1972]

Don’t think so. Didn’t do enough.

 

[KJJ]

People really under rate Walker's USFL career. How can you ignore 2411 rushing yards in 18 games? Some claim "well, Dickerson had 2105 in 16 game, and Walker had an extra 2 games."

Think about what that means, though. If Walker had the same amount of yards as Dickerson did at 16 games (2100) then that means Walker averaged 150 yards per game with is extra two games. He also averaged 5.5 yards per carry over that span and rushed for 21 TDs.

Eric Dickerson’s 2000+ yards came in the NFL. His 2105 is still the all-time NFL record. It’s silly comparing what Walker did in the USFL and what Eric Dickerson did in the NFL. Dickerson faced much better talent in the NFL.

 

[KJJ]

I’ll say it again, Zeke put up better numbers in 7 seasons than Herschel Walker did in 12 NFL seasons. For those who think Walker should be in the Hall of Fame then why not Zeke?

 

[Jake]

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.

He absolutely should be in. It's the Pro Football HOF, not the NFL HOF, but the people running it sometimes forget that.

 

[CowboyFrog]

No - Not Pro.
College - Yes.

No not NFL should be what you said.. as a pro (including USFL which was big then) he absolutley had the numbers by alot.

 

[CowboyFrog]

He absolutely should be in. It's the Pro Football HOF, not the NFL HOF, but the people running it sometimes forget that.

This 100%

 

[CowboyFrog]

Walker didnt go to the USFL because he wasnt wanted in the NFL..back then it was real bidding war for players between the 2 leagues.. the USFL had some very legit years.

 

[droopdog7]

So the real question seems to be, should usfl stats count? I say no.

 

[droopdog7]

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.

Is it the Pro Football HOF, and not NFL, to recognize the AFL though? I believe that it likely the origin of the name.

 

[kskboys]

Yes, his career is much better than people remember.

Or much worse.