Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

KPda2thed wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 12:11 am The bylaws date back to 1963. Who would know about the origin of a particular bylaw? The original intent may tell us a lot. I’m not talking about what the bylaw says but what was the reasoning for creating it, who benefitted, who didn’t?

What historians are still alive with that knowledge? And is accessible?

My understanding is it was created to honor "players, coaches and officials" -- and by "officials" I think it meant more than game officials, I think owners, etc were "officials" of the league ---

but as far as CFL, etc ... By-Laws are specific to pro football as “played in the United States of America.”

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 3:38 pm
but as far as CFL, etc ... By-Laws are specific to pro football as “played in the United States of America.”

OK, then that excludes Canadian players . . . for now.

Bob Gill wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 11:22 pm

JohnTurney wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 3:38 pm
but as far as CFL, etc ... By-Laws are specific to pro football as “played in the United States of America.”

OK, then that excludes Canadian players . . . for now.

Yeah, by and large. But obviously not ones who played some part of their career in Canada ... Moon, Speedie, etc. My understanding is that Hall wanted to put in "Unites States" but had to make sure it was "United States of America" to be extra careful and specific. For what legal reason I don't know.

This is the bylaw that im researching:

“Off the field or away from the game contributions and/or situations (positive or negative) are not to be considered, and Selectors are prohibited from including them in presentations or discussions. If a Selector violates the above rule, he/she would be warned, and if repeated would be prohibited from further comments during the meeting and a possible future removal from the Selection Committee.”

I’ve heard it said that Dick McCann crafted it with the intent of preventing a debate over Preston Marshall’s induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963. Marshall, the ailing owner of the Washington Redskins was, to put it mildly, not well liked.

Interesting discussion. I've long had the attitude of "trust the art, not the artist"; I will always admire the comedy of Bill Cosby and the music of Jerry Lee Lewis despite what could charitably be called their personal foibles. In fact, artists like Lewis are often celebrated because of their outlaw lifestyle, not in spite of it.

But when it comes to exalting someone in a sports hall of fame, I do think there has to be a bare minimum of attention paid to a player's off-field/court/ice conduct. I can't even really define what the distinction is, but giving the sport's highest honor to someone like Darren Sharper (a marginal candidate anyway) or even Pete Rose just doesn't sit right. I would never go as far as revoking the induction of someone like Simpson, who did the unspeakable long after his playing days. But I don't mind the PFHOF having a set of conduct standards for its honorees.

Tyrer is a tricky one, though. Like an insanity defense in court, a CTE defense (which I think is legitimate in Tyrer's case) could be exploited to promote the induction of a great player who committed a horrific crime. I don't envy voters who have to try to split that hair.

Making Darren Sharper the focal point may have been a crafty way to garner enough “no’s” for Tyrer to ensure the real goal was achieved - avoidance of a complex issue that requires admitting football played a role in the tragedy. Slippery slope arguments are simplistic and overdone but they play on fear which is highly effective. The truth is that Tyrer’s case bears little resemblance to Sharper. And voters would approach it like they do with any other athlete - case by case, detail by detail. It really could be a great opportunity to learn, to bridge divides and show some courage. This issue is going to come again…

Still hoping to find someone who knows the history of the bylaw.

I have my thoughts on Tyrer which I'll keep to myself

Either abide by the by-laws or change them. Justin Tucker is under heat himself during his playing career ... will he get the benefit of a doubt like Ray Lewis did?

Oszuscik wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2024 12:41 pm

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:13 am Whats your take on Ray Lewis, SixtiesFan? Do you feel he should have been elected to the HOF? I felt--and still feel--he was an accomplice to murder but got full legal representation and private investigators from the Ravens. His buddies got away with it in self defense but do we really know what happened that night? Did Lewis watch his friends stab two men, though his own limo driver told police--recanted on the witness stand--that he was involved in the melee, while later dumping bloody clothes?

I know the Tyrer situation is a tragedy. I just feel that the HOF should allow his induction based on their own bylaws and voting rules. Voters can easily deny him and probably will for the sake of future tourist, public relations, but they never had a problem with Lewis--or keeping OJ Simpson--and it shouldnt be a problem with Tyrer either, but we wont know until they elect him.

Tyrer shouldn't be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and I'll be shocked if it happens. Ray Lewis was found not guilty and went on to play another decade without incident. OJ Simpson, let's be real, murdered his ex-wife nine years after his Hall of Fame induction, but was acquitted. Junior Seau committed suicide due to CTE, like Tyrer, only Seau never killed anyone else. Tyrer's last act in life, which is indisputable, was killing his wife, the mother of his children. There's no gray area in his case. Sure, he probably had CTE, but that's not a get out of jail free card. For as much as the NFL claims to champion women, do we really think they'll want the publicity of electing Tyrer to the Hall of Fame, regardless of his playing career accomplishments? "Well, yes, he murdered his wife, BUT he was an eight-time All-Pro." It's just not going to happen.

Yes. 100% on the money here. I'd be shocked if he's admitted. Regardless of the wishes of his family, or the HOF, and NFL operating "separately." I just can't see the voters, or enough of them consciously going to bat for a murderer. Regardless of circumstance or context that's what Tyrer is.

Out of curiosity, has Jim Tyrer ever come this close to making it into Canton?