Aaron Donald returns to play, PFHOF class implications

[PaulPFHOF]

His removal from the class of 2029 pool opens up pathways for others (if we simply assume 4 moderns per year), we could get a sequence like this-note one could easy shift the order around or perhaps remove a few and replace with others as it is very hard to predict 5 years of elections with 20 slots:

Future elections scenarios 2027-31

If 4 modern per year

2027 Gronk/AP/Suggs/WAnderson

2028 Brady/Watt/Yanda/Woodson

2029 JKelce/BenR/Witten/Sherman

2030 ZMartin/Eli/Holt/PPeterson

2031 JJones/KWilliams/JEvans/Gore

And I really think the returning 2026 finalists are going to benefit from his departure as definite first ballot in 2029, guys like Witten,Sherman, Gore, JEvens and KWilliams (as well as a few new first ballot candidates in 2028 through 2030)

[Brian wolf]

Will the voters elect Antonio Brown as well?

[PaulPFHOF]

Will the voters elect Antonio Brown as well?

eventually-but with only 3 or 4 slots each election, and long list of deserving candidates the next several elections (other new 1st ballot plus returning finalists) its very possible the voters simply make him wait-and it could be a very long wait, as regardless of the off the field mess-which voters are not to consider-just his act of walking off the field during a game will be enough "justification" for voters to hold off his election, and they really are under no pressure to elect him as can always justify electing other very deserving players each year

[sluggermatt15]

Will the voters elect Antonio Brown as well?

IMO Antonio Brown was far better than some of the guys Paul lists: Suggs, Yanda, Witten. Brown is arguably the best WR since Jerry Rice, according to the experts. At the peak of his career, he was the best WR in football for at least 2-3 seasons. Brown was a 5x all-pro. If you base his case on performance and talent, he is a slam dunk for the HOF.

[PaulPFHOF]

Will the voters elect Antonio Brown as well?

IMO Antonio Brown was far better than some of the guys Paul lists: Suggs, Yanda, Witten. Brown is arguably the best WR since Jerry Rice, according to the experts. At the peak of his career, he was the best WR in football for at least 2-3 seasons. Brown was a 5x all-pro. If you base his case on performance and talent, he is a slam dunk for the HOF.

We are all aware of his career, talent and accomplishments....we are all also aware that he will not be first ballot PFHOF, and likely is facing a long wait..

[saturdaysarebetter]

Antonio Brown certainly put up numbers that were remarkable. Do you think the HOF voters ever take into account what a spectacle a player's induction speech could become?

[Brian wolf]

We have to remember though ... the HOF has been getting on to voters about leaving off-the-field exploits outside their thinking on a players deserving on-field play. Ray Lewis was such a great player, they ignored the murder case, though they havent ignored Darren Sharper's criminal charges. You simply cant have a double standard or inconsistency with the bylaws. Admittedly, Lewis wasnt proven to have done "more" than what he was charged with, but witnesses had changed their tune.

With politics, accusations of racism and CTE allowing voters to reject Art Powell, Buddy Parker and Jim Tyrer to get elected, the HOF is trying to stay on the voters more about a players on-the-field accomplishments which could help Brown get elected sooner than we think. Voters are shrewd however, and can just simply choose other players, which they might do again, in his case. It will be interesting, but I dont feel they will wait beyond three years of his eligibility. I know, a ramble, but his case and Big Ben's as well -- another example of crap behavior off-the-field-- will get heated up very soon.

[conace21]

We have to remember though ... the HOF has been getting on to voters about leaving off-the-field exploits outside their thinking on a players deserving on-field play. Ray Lewis was such a great player, they ignored the murder case, though they havent ignored Darren Sharper's criminal charges. You simply cant have a double standard or inconsistency with the bylaws. Admittedly, Lewis wasnt proven to have done "more" than what he was charged with, but witnesses had changed their tune.

It's been pretty clearly established that Ray Lewis didn't murder anyone. A jury determined that his two friends stabbed two men, but that they did so in self defense.

You can certainly be skeptical of the self defense claim, but there is absolutely no evidence that Ray Lewis ever held a knife that night.

[sluggermatt15]

We have to remember though ... the HOF has been getting on to voters about leaving off-the-field exploits outside their thinking on a players deserving on-field play. Ray Lewis was such a great player, they ignored the murder case, though they havent ignored Darren Sharper's criminal charges. You simply cant have a double standard or inconsistency with the bylaws. Admittedly, Lewis wasnt proven to have done "more" than what he was charged with, but witnesses had changed their tune.

It's been pretty clearly established that Ray Lewis didn't murder anyone. A jury determined that his two friends stabbed two men, but that they did so in self defense.

You can certainly be skeptical of the self defense claim, but there is absolutely no evidence that Ray Lewis ever held a knife that night.

The fact is Lewis is a criminal and he is a member of the HOF. Brian is correct, a double-standard does exist.

George Preston Marshall is widely regarded as one of the biggest racists in football history. He was the last owner to integrate his team and he is a member of the HOF.

[JuggernautJ]

The fact is Lewis is a criminal and he is a member of the HOF. Brian is correct, a double-standard does exist.

George Preston Marshall is widely regarded as one of the biggest racists in football history. He was the last owner to integrate his team and he is a member of the HOF.

Marshall was enshrined in 1963 and, while abhorrent, I think it is safe to say there was a different attitude towards racism in that day and age.
Today that same argument is used against Buddy Parker, an otherwise probably deserving candidate (in my opinion) and that argument has kept him out of the Hall of Fame.
Would GPM be enshrined today with his record of racism? I somehow doubt it.

I agree there is a double standard in selection... maybe several standards.
I wonder if O. J. Simpson would be enshrined today... certainly what he did on the field would make him worthy... but could the NFL really overlook what followed?
Also, Jim Tyrer waits... and waits...

Lastly, there are negatives on Antonino Brown based on what he did on the field.
He behavior detracted from his team and walking off the field the way he did... that is (to me) the exact opposite of what football is all about.