Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

GameBeforeTheMoney wrote:One would almost have to bring Hacksaw Reynolds into this type of conversation.

Has Hacksaw Reynolds ever been considered for the HOVG?

I see Reynolds' teammate Isiah Robertson is in it.

Oh my goodness, this is the best thread ever! Love the "Hall of Interesting." I have one coming up, but for now, my story on George Burman, the first long snapper:

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2020/ ... washington

Two Bears I would nominate, both of whom played in only one NFL game:

Lennie High - His only game was the first ever game in Bears history, with the Decatur Staleys. Because this game was against a non-APFA team, High is not considered an NFL alum but he is considered a Bears alum. He also is in the famous 1920 Staleys team photo — for his only game!

Randy Burks - His only game was Week 13, 1976, against the Seahawks, in which he made one catch for 55 yards and a touchdown. He is the NFL's career receiving leader for players with only one game of service.

Was Sugar Bear Hamilton the first nose tackle in NFL history?

Also, how about the failed draft pick who once called John Elway “Mr. Ed”: Brian Bosworth

Also, another honorable mention:

The quarterbacks in NFL Top 10 Left Handed Quarterbacks that they referred to as “The Field”

I mentioned having a cool "Hall of Interesting" story coming soon, so here it is:

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/chica ... cago-bears

Meet 31-year-old Fred Venturelli, the oldest rookie in Bears history and the first player in NFL history to sign a contract strictly to placekick. His career ran exactly one game: Week 1 against the Packers in 1948.

Very interesting. But what about Ken Strong. Giants brought him back in 1944 at age 37. He had 2 carries for minus two yards. He stayed with the team thru 1947 as the team's placekicker and had no touches. I haven't checked, but I would be surprised if he did anything but kick in those last three years. Steve Owen was much more enamored of the field goal than George Halas.

Thanks for reading! I included Ken Strong at the end on a list of judgement calls. It's why I used the word "(Kinda)" in the headline. I also forgot to include Armand Niccolai on that list, which looked like this, in chronological order:

Phil Martinovich
* first year as placekicker only: 1939, but he did sub into games
* was he ever on a roster for anything other than kicking? - yes, his two years in the AAFC, '46 and '47 (and, as noted, he subbed into games in his two years in the NFL)
* strength of claim to "first placekicker": FAIR. He subbed into games in '39 and '40, though he only accumulated kicking stats. But crucially, '39 and '40 were before the free-sub rules, so by definition, he could not be a "placekicker only." And then he was a full-time player in the AAFC.

Armand Niccolai
* first year as placekicker only: 1941
* was he ever on a roster for anything other than kicking? - yes, he was a starting lineman for most of his first seven seasons, from 1934 to 1940. Twice made 2nd team All Pro.
* strength of claim to "first placekicker": WEAK. If you count Niccolai, I think you have to count Martinovich ahead of him.

Ken Strong
* first year as placekicker only: 1945
* was he ever on a roster for anything other than kicking? - yes, most of his career
* strength of claim to "first placekicker": SOLID. He was the first player on an NFL roster after the sub rule changes who only accumulated kicking stats

Ben Agajanian
* first year as placekicker only: 1947
* first year as placekicker only in NFL: 1949
* was he ever on a roster for anything other than kicking? - not really
* strength of claim to "first placekicker": STRONGEST of all. I think he's the best possible answer.

Fred Venturelli
* first year as placekicker only: 1948
* was he ever on a roster for anything other than kicking? - no
* strength of claim to "first placekicker": STRONGEST on a technicality, FAIR otherwise. In a sense, he's third behind Agajanian and Strong. His claim to fame is that he was the first player to sign a contract EXCLUSIVELY to placekick, and the first to enter pro football exclusively to placekick.

I removed Mose Kelsch who also gained offensive stats, played before the free sub rule and is more like Jack Manders here than like some of the later guys.

That's my view! Thoughts?

Sorry I missed your postscript originally. Personally, I'd still go with Agajanian or Strong, but enjoyed learning about Venturelli, and I get your rationale. Thanks, Jack.

Others for the HOI ...

Vontaze Burfict -- borderline player who simply played in the wrong decade. Imagine if the Bengals had him in the 1970s-1980s? Many people still believe his hit on Antonio Brown in the 2015/16 playoffs, affected his psychological/neurological state to this day.

Chris Hogan -- self-made receiver who had athletic talent but had to learn the position. After catching few passes with the Bills, helped the Patriots to three consecutive SB games winning two championships.

LeGarrette Blount -- another Patriot who had a crazy career. Not drafted out of college for attacking an opposing player after a game. Should have been a Titan but was grabbed by the Bucs off waivers and plays well for the them before joining the Patriots. Goes to the Steelers but gets released due to frustration with the coaches before rejoining the Patriots, where he helps them win another SB before helping the Eagles win their first SB the following year. Imagine had he kept playing for Jeff Fisher or Mike Tomlin instead of winning those SBs for other teams?

Earnest Jackson -- nearly ran for 1000 yards in three consecutive years for three different teams. Why did the Chargers and Eagles let this guy go?

Percy Harvin -- Despite all-world talent as a receiver and kickoff returner, was literally a headache for any team he played for who incidently, had issues with migraine headaches that affected his career. Helped Seattle win a SB but a true what-if story.

John Maxymuk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2026 1:25 am Sorry I missed your postscript originally. Personally, I'd still go with Agajanian or Strong, but enjoyed learning about Venturelli, and I get your rationale. Thanks, Jack.

Thanks John! Three more "lost to history" stories if you're interested:

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2020/ ... washington

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2021/ ... tin-fields

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/chica ... -bears-nfl