Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

NWebster wrote:Who replaced Art Daley in GB, nobody.

Not true. Cliff Christl was appointed the team's official historian a few years ago and has done a fantastic job, even going so far to clarify and correct erroneous coverage of the Packers from over the years.

Sorry to see Joe retire, but not unexpected. Enjoy your retirement!!

Citizen wrote:

NWebster wrote:Who replaced Art Daley in GB, nobody.

Not true. Cliff Christl was appointed the team's official historian a few years ago and has done a fantastic job, even going so far to clarify and correct erroneous coverage of the Packers from over the years.

Yes...and in between was Lee Remmel, who took over Packer coverage when Art got tired of the Packers' post-war futility. Lee, of course, later became the team's PR man and was the first official historian.

It is sad to see anybody walk away from the scene who has forgotten more about the history of pro football than I'll ever remember.

Speaking of Lee Remmel and Cliff Chrystl...does any other team have an official historian?

Reaser wrote:

JohnTurney wrote:Joe's role has been diminished for a few years, ever since the Baker regime took over. He's not had as much say as before, almost a figurehead for things, but as you've seen Baker is the one who goes to the hotel rooms on camera and gives out the rings in the Fall. I think Joe was just ready to get away from some nonsense.

This.

Last few years I've missed Joe on the things mentioned. As well as all the speaking stuff/interviews, particularly on NFL Network. That used to be Joe Horrigan talking about football but then it became all about Baker and him sweating while repeating the same phrases over and over. Almost felt like Horrigan was subbing in the much less and very few times he has been on instead of Baker the last few years.

In management, when you want to get rid of somebody - you need to start to make people comfortable wit the person who will replace them. Joe had to retire some time, but I think it would be great to find a new modern day Joe.

Joe brought a lot of integrity to the process, and while we all have criticized the selections of the HOF committee from time to time, he kept the process fair and picked good selectors. He had to put up with the "bad old days" as I call them when the old guard had kind of a fiefdom of a select few voters. (kept Alan Page from being 1st ballot and made Jim Langer a 1st ballot same year because of one game(isn't it a career award?)) And picked good selectors to replace those guys.

But...I am a little bit concerned with who will make the decisions to replace guys from now on. I have little faith in Baker. I don't know who he will have to guide him in that. It could be okay, will have to see.

Today's USAToday:

"Ultimate NFL historian shares stories of 42 years at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Joe Horrigan got his first job in pro football when he was 13. And, except for three years in the Air Force and four in college, he’s been in the biz ever since.

“Football has been my life,” he says.

Horrigan’s choice of words — has been rather than is — conveys a certain sense of wistfulness. That’s because come June the executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame plans to retire from the place where he’s worked nearly all of his adult life."

Entire read at:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 640294002/

Entire read at:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/n ... 640294002/

He makes mention of an upcoming book he's written The NFL Century. Should be interesting.