Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Hey Guys,

I've thought about this recently. Do you think that the reason Mike Curtis is constantly ignored and/or rebuffed by Hall of Fame voters is because he hit a drunken fan who ran onto the field during a game in 1971? Or is there another reason? Curtis' statistics compare favorably to Hall of Famer Chris Hanburger's. What gives?

Joe Zagorski

I think it is his lack of All-Pros. He was All-pro in 1968 as OLBer then, in 1969, he was All-Pro as, I guess both, he moved mid-season . . .but aftger that he was more of an Second-team All-Conference-type.

He did win the AFC DPOY from KCC101 in 1970, but not sure that carried much weight. He also missed quite ofr bit of time with injuries. To me, he's HOVG only

Maybe not HOF worthy, but should he at least have gotten the MVP in SB V over Chuck Howley?

Todd Pence wrote:Maybe not HOF worthy, but should he at least have gotten the MVP in SB V over Chuck Howley?

I wonder what the vote was, if it was close . . . Curtis has a claim to it, for sure.

Clotheslining the fan could only enhance his résumé in the eyes of the selection committee. It was a career highlight.

Joe Zagorski wrote:Hey Guys,

I've thought about this recently. Do you think that the reason Mike Curtis is constantly ignored and/or rebuffed by Hall of Fame voters is because he hit a drunken fan who ran onto the field during a game in 1971? Or is there another reason? Curtis' statistics compare favorably to Hall of Famer Chris Hanburger's. What gives?

Joe Zagorski

Something interesting is that both players played the same 14 seasons from 1965-1978, and were teammates in their last two seasons (in fact, Curtis replaced Hanburger in 1977 when he was injured in the 5th game of the season).

But I believe that Hanburger stats and credentials (Pro Bowls, All-Pros, etc.) are superior to Curtis', and when Hanburger finally was inducted into the HOF it was long overdue.

It was really cool actually how Allen would use Curtis as a Redskins flip flopping between 4-3 and a 3-4 front 7 with Curtis as the 4th LB when they flopped (or flipped) into that alignment. Sample of 2 games on video, but when they went 3-4 it was always adding Curtis and it was probably 30% of snaps where they did so. Risk of a new topic, but I always like teams that weren't 100% 3-4 or 4-3. Today you get more "multiple" schemes where you have the Ravens or Pat's with the same personnel but a swing player switching their effective alignment, but I loved just subbing out one player for another and saying , "hey, we're 34 now".

One reason why I am such a supporter of Curtis to be enshrined in the HOF is something that separates him from Hanburger...a Super Bowl V Ring. His interception late in that game made a Baltimore victory possible.

Joe Zagorski wrote:His interception late in that game made a Baltimore victory possible.

Craig Morton also deserves credit.

Dan Reeves also played a role.