Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Just heard that Joe Horrigan is retiring from the PFHoF ...

Whew! When I saw that subject line I thought it was going to say he died.

How do you replace a Joe Horrigan? Any ideas?

Rupert Patrick wrote:How do you replace a Joe Horrigan? Any ideas?

Not sure it's really possible, afraid we always lose some history when someone like him retires or passes. Who will replace Dr Z, nobody. Who replaced Art Daley in GB, nobody. I cannot imagine them going outside and Saleem has been there 20 years now, maybe that's the tactical approach. What I hear is that some owner (Jerry, Robert, etc.) Want to put one of their guys in there. That would be a travesty.

Rupert Patrick wrote:How do you replace a Joe Horrigan? Any ideas?

How about we form an organization to support the research of pro football history...

I wish Joe a very happy retirement!
Perhaps that will allow him to occasionally contribute here... but more likely on the NFL channel, documentaries, etc.
Either way, amateur historians like myself can learn a lot from that guy.

That said, what a career!
I'm pretty sure any one of us would give their left... er, would love to have a job like his.

I wonder how many times he'll go to the Hall of Fame now that he's retired....

Grats, Joe!

NWebster wrote:What I hear is that some owner (Jerry, Robert, etc.) Want to put one of their guys in there. That would be a travesty.

If what you heard is correct, it sounds like they want to put somebody's brother-in-law in there.

His retirement is official:

https://www.cantonrep.com/news/20190122 ... r-42-years

At least we have his book to look forward to.

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.

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.

Much like how NFL Films' influence has been diminished since the death of Steve Sabol.

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.