When did Canton, IYO, become a ‘big Hall’?

[74_75_78_79_]

To those in here who feel that the bar has been lowered when it comes to getting elected into Canton - which, pretty much, makes just about ALL of us - at what point in time, perhaps a specific Draft class, signified to you that the Hall will no longer be a small one; the standard now lowered?

[PaulPFHOF]

I for one don't think that Hall has lowered its bar in terms of size of annual classes, 7 which was pretty common in last two decades always seemed right, two larger classes (2023 & 2024) were needed in part because during 1970s into early 2000s, many deserving players were ignored and voters created a backlog by years of only 4 or 5 elected, many of those deserving players fell into the deep senior pools. And my view is supported by many respected long term voters who advocated for those players and need to address the senior pool. I understand (and often agree) that over the years there have been some "questionable" elections of players but I view that more as considering who is most deserving each election and less that the process and larger classes were somehow lowering the standard.

[Gary Najman]

I for one don't think that Hall has lowered its bar in terms of size of annual classes, 7 which was pretty common in last two decades always seemed right, two larger classes (2023 & 2024) were needed in part because during 1970s into early 2000s, many deserving players were ignored and voters created a backlog by years of only 4 or 5 elected, many of those deserving players fell into the deep senior pools. And my view is supported by many respected long term voters who advocated for those players and need to address the senior pool. I understand (and often agree) that over the years there have been some "questionable" elections of players but I view that more as considering who is most deserving each election and less that the process and larger classes were somehow lowering the standard.

i agree: in 2005 only four former players were inducted: first time elegibles Dan Marino and Steve Young, and seniors Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman, letting outside many deserving players of the then Modern era.