Hall of Fame Leftovers

It’s been interesting reading and hearing the reactions around the country on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

In places like Kansas City and Miami, there was great joy as Derrick Thomas joined the hallowed halls of Canton. In most of the rest of the country, mention of D.T. and his accomplishments was well down into the story, behind just about everybody but Minnesota guard Randall McDaniel.

Unfortunately, a lot of the coverage came down on who did not get into the Hall, specifically wide receiver Cris Carter and tight end Shannon Sharpe. That was expected. All I can tell you is this: with the increased passing numbers it’s going to take some time for the dust to settle on just what is good and what is great when it comes to receiving numbers.

I know right now Chiefs fans believe Tony Gonzalez should be a first-year ballot Hall of Famer five years after he retires from the league. Don’t be so sure. Gonzalez could make this point moot if he plays for several more seasons and pushes his numbers into the stratosphere. But if he plays only one more season, which is what he says, then he may have to wait as well.

I wrote for kcchiefs.com on Thomas’ honor and put together this list that might put some perspective on the situation when it comes to waiting for induction into the Hall.

Let’s remember this: once a player reaches Canton, it doesn’t matter how long he has to wait.

Other tidbits:

– Thomas is the 18th modern era linebacker to be inducted. It also gives the Chiefs three Hall of Fame linebackers, matching the New York Giants (Lawrence Taylor, Sam Huff and Harry Carson) and just one behind the Chicago Bears (Mike Singletary, Bill George, George Conner and Dick Butkus.)

– He is the seventh player from the University of Alabama to receive the highest honors in pro football, joining John Hannah, Bart Star, Don Hutson, Joe Namath, Ozzie Newsome and Dwight Stephenson. That leaves the Crimson Tide tied for third with the most Hall of Famers, behind Southern Cal (11), Notre Dame (10) and Michigan (7).

– There are now two players in the Hall who wore No. 58: Thomas and Pittsburgh linebacker Jack Lambert.

– D.T. and Bob Hayes are the first Hall of Famers who will be inducted posthumously since Reggie White in 2006.

– Best answer that came out of the Hall of Fame press conference came from Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson as he discussed why he’s been committed to Buffalo for the last 50 years, even as the city and region grows smaller and has more economic problems. Here’s what Wilson said:

“You have to have consistency in a franchise because people become attached to the franchise. They take their children to the game. And so many people across the country I have met have said my father used to take me to the games in old War Memorial Stadium in downtown Buffalo. We used to stand in the end zone. The people in a community, they become attached to a team. It gives them a quality of life. I came into the game because I enjoyed the game. I wanted to be a part of ownership. Pro football to me is not about making money. Now that might sound a little off the track. But it’s not. It’s a matter of competition, the thrill of the game, being the greatest sport in America, the thrill of seeing some players like Rod Woodson, Bruce Smith, and all the players I’ve seen over the last half century. And I think even though Buffalo is receding economically, it’s more difficult for us to operate than other areas but we can still survive.

“I think it would be very damaging, speaking just for Buffalo now, to move that team. I think it would be crushing to the fans if they didn’t have that team, win or lose. I think as long as a team is not losing a lot of money, and if ownership can’t afford to stay, then they should move. But if they can get some help from the residents, the taxpayers and other people, they should stay. So I have voted against all relocations. All, because I don’t think it was right.”