Thirty NFL Players Who Should Be Removed From The Hall Of Fame.
“nfl players who should be in the hall of fame” is a question that has been asked numerous times. The NFL Hall of Fame is full of great athletes and legends, but there are some players that do not deserve to be in the hall.
Every football player dreams of being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Only a small percentage of those who apply make it inside Canton’s hallowed halls. Despite the fact that it is a very selective procedure, there are still some contentious choices. Several athletes should, in my opinion, be removed from the Hall of Fame.
Some of them were just insufficient. Their statistics are exaggerated, or they were just well-known at the time. Others, such as O.J. Simpson, engaged in heinous activities outside of football. Football, unlike baseball, does not take this into consideration. Stadium Talk has compiled a list of 30 NFL football players that, in their opinion, do not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.
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Frank Gatski (#30)
Gatski played center for the Cleveland Browns for a long time. But there’s a feeling that his election into the Hall of Fame reflected this. In comparison to other NFL players of his time, it seems more like a participation prize. He didn’t make his first Pro Bowl appearance until 1956, in fact. That was his eighth year in the NFL, but just his sixth overall.
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However, the fact that he wasn’t inducted into the Hall of Fame until over 30 years after his retirement says a lot (via New York Times). He never missed a game or practice, so his professionalism is unquestionable. The Hall of Fame, on the other hand, is all about the player’s ability. When he was elected, people may have taken this factor out of the equation. They shouldn’t have done that, whether you like it or not.
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Richard Dent, 29.
Dent was a four-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl MVP. The former defensive end for the Chicago Bears had a stellar career. Fans, on the other hand, are split on whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Some even think he wasn’t deserving of the MVP honor. It might have gone to any other member of the Chicago defense, they maintain. Dent has the single-season sack record for the team, but he declined following the Super Bowl victory.
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At the ceremony, he also shown a lack of class toward Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan. He attributed the franchise’s failure to construct a dynasty to the former. It’s worth noting that Dent struggled to produce in a number of pivotal games during his career. In games, he had a propensity of vanishing (via L.A. Times). It took years of nominations before he was ultimately honored with a bust.
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Terrell Owens (#28)
Owens is a controversial figure. At his best, he was clearly exceptional. However, his induction into the Hall of Fame isn’t a certain conclusion. His colleagues undoubtedly wish he had been gone since he was a pain to work with. Jeff Garcia, Owens’ former quarterback, did not send him a Christmas card every year. He had incredible individual brilliance, but he was also very self-centered. Owens came from a family of strong role models.
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In the meanwhile, his career stats are remarkably comparable to Ricky Watters’. Watters, on the other hand, isn’t in the Hall of Fame since he was never as well-known. Owens also played for six other teams, although none of them were very successful (via CBS Sports). It’s hardly unexpected that he eventually settled in Canton. It’s a miracle he didn’t blow up every bridge on the way back from Ohio.
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Roger Wehrli (no. 27)
When it comes to contentious Hall of Fame honorees, Wehrli is one of the most often mentioned names. As a cornerback, he played his whole career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is regarded by the franchise as one of the finest players in his position they have ever had. When it comes to his home in Canton, though, it’s a different story (via NBC Sports).
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Make no mistake, Wehrli put up respectable stats. During his 14-year career, he has 40 interceptions. Over such a long time, this is powerful but not extraordinary. Yes, he was named to the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams on many occasions. They don’t, however, give the whole tale of his career. When it comes to the players Canton inducts, it sometimes seems like it’s satisfying a quota, and that’s the situation with Wehrli.
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Brett Favre (#26)
This is a contentious choice, but there is some sense behind it. Let’s start with Favre’s positive attributes. He won the NFL MVP award three times and was a Super Bowl champion. In the meanwhile, he established multiple records and was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times. He was destined for the Hall of Fame based on his statistics and achievements. However, many fans believe he is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in history.
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With 336 interceptions, Favre holds the record for most in NFL history. Furthermore, by winning just one ring, he may have underachieved. The quarterback squandered games, such as the Vikings’ NFC Championship loss to the Saints. Then there’s his off-field problems. The NFL did not prosecute him with sexual harassment in the end (via ABC News), but there were other issues.
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Lynn Swann (#25)
Swann is one of a number of Steelers players who should be kicked out of the Hall of Fame. His stats aren’t very outstanding, but he did have a few Super Bowl highlights. They’re the major reason he got enough votes to get a seat in Canton. Although he played in a different period, statistics do not justify his inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
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Despite the fact that he never surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, he remained a fan favorite. He managed to get into Canton ahead of guys like Drew Pearson. Swann appeared in four Pro Bowls throughout his career. Concussions eventually prompted him to retire from the game. He wasn’t a huge loss in the end since his output had plummeted. In the end, he was admitted to the Hall since he was a descendant of a renowned dynasty (via Sportscasting).
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Paul Hornung (age 24)
Hornung would not be in the Hall of Fame if he were a baseball player. Cooperstown is the only Major League hall of fame that considers a player’s outside actions. Pete Rose will never fit in there because of this. Hornung is fortunate in that Canton has no such limitations. He, like Rose, had engaged in illegal gambling.
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Hornung’s gambling offense and consequent punishment are no longer relevant. However, he does not deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He only had two outstanding seasons, perhaps, and they were in 1960 and 1961. (via AP News). Then his statistics dropped, and he fell behind. Hornung, like many other players, was inducted into the Hall of Fame based on his name rather than his complete career.
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Ray Nitschke (number 23)
The majority of Packers supporters think that Nitschke is one of the team’s all-time greats. They’ll claim he was a defensive rock and a fantastic captain. That’s OK, but he has no business being in the Hall of Fame. He was a member of a dynasty that won five NFL titles and two Super Bowls. That’s a lot of bragging rights, but keep in mind that football is a team sport.
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Surprisingly, Nitschke only appeared in one Pro Bowl (via The Athletic). He was a reliable linebacker who was seldom a star in the league. This is the primary reason for his exclusion from Canton. Would the Illinois native have made an impression if he hadn’t come from a dynasty? In general, he wasn’t the finest of his generation.
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Jan Stenerud, 22.
Stenerud was the first pure placekicker to be inducted into Canton’s hallowed halls in 1991. The majority of his career was spent with the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he went on to play for the Packers and the Vikings. However, it is debatable if he is deserving of his position in the Hall. He will not be removed, but did he deserve such a high honor? As a pioneer, maybe, but not as a great player.
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Stenerud played in the NFL for 19 years. In five seasons, though, he only got to 75% accuracy. Meanwhile, his total career average is 66.85%. Because he was a high-profile European player, the Norwegian was a pioneer. However, his statistics reveal that he was not a very talented football player. His longest field goal was 55 yards, hence he wasn’t a world record holder (via Sports Illustrated).
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21. Monk of Art
The longevity of Monk was his greatest accomplishment. As a result, he was able to exaggerate his numbers over time. He was dubbed the “most overrated Washington player ever” by Fansided. They’re probably correct, since he wasn’t as good as the franchise would have you believe. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion.
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However, significant success may be had without being absolutely extraordinary. Despite having a career total of over 12,000 yards, he only averaged 60 catches each season. However, just because he played for a long period doesn’t imply he was better than opponents who played for a shorter time. That is why some argue that he should be kicked out of the Hall of Fame.
Dan Hampton (number 20)
With the Chicago Bears, Hampton won a Super Bowl. He was named one of the franchise’s 100 best players of all time. Hampton, on the other hand, is one of the most overrated defensive linemen in history, according to Mark May. Hampton was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002 following an illustrious career. May, on the other hand, believes he should be expelled from Canton.
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His injuries are one of the key reasons he should not be in the Hall of Fame. Hampton was an excellent player who missed a lot of games because of injuries (via SBNation). He was regarded as one of Ditka’s most essential players. Hampton’s inability to keep in shape throughout the years is unfortunate. At his best, he was exceptional, but it didn’t last long enough.
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LeRoy Kelly, 19
Kelly is only remembered by devoted Cleveland fans. He was a good running back who made six Pro Bowl appearances and won a Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. (via L.A. Times). That was 20 years after his last participation in the Pro Bowl. Kelly, on the other hand, may be said to be one of the least deserved Hall of Fame inductees ever.
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In a nutshell, he took over for Jim Brown on a fantastic squad. Nobody blames him for that, and it’s true that he was a great actor in his own right. However, it’s fair to ask if his performances were Canton-worthy. Many NFL fans feel he should be fired since he lacks the famous experiences that other sportsmen had.
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Dan Dierdorf, number 18
In his fourth season in the NFL, Dierdorf became a full-time starter. The Cardinals, on the other hand, were not particularly good at this time. Before Dierdorf broke through, they went 3-9-1 for three years in a row. During 1976 and 1977, the offensive tackle did not allow a sack. Meanwhile, his club only surrendered eight goals in 1975, a new low (via Bleacher Report).
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There’s no arguing that he was an excellent player, but others argue that he wasn’t exceptional. They feel he should be expelled from his hometown of Canton since he never advanced beyond the conference semifinals. In addition, Dierdorf didn’t join the Hall until he was a well-known broadcaster. During this time, he grew in popularity even more.
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Charlie Sanders (#17)
Sanders was a seven-time Pro Bowl pick and three-time All-Pro selection. On the surface, he seemed to be one of his generation’s finest tight ends. The issue was that there weren’t many good tight ends back then. Only his contemporaries can be compared by NFL history to the Detroit hero. However, there wasn’t a lot of skill in this position at the time.
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Sanders, as a consequence, stood out without being extraordinary. He only played in one playoff game, a humiliating 5-0 loss to the Cowboys. In addition, he only had more over 500 yards in a season once throughout his career, and that was in his first year. With everything out of the way, Sanders’ career seems to be considerably more ordinary than it was before. He was competent, but not outstanding (via Detroit Free Press).
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Ken Stabler (#16)
Another quarterback who profited from his team’s aura is Stabler. He is without a doubt one of the Raiders’ most recognizable players. However, this does not imply that he was a true Hall of Famer. Because they were surrounded by greater skill, many ordinary players have won Super Bowls. In addition, a number of high-profile athletes were unable to compete because they were on lineups with insufficient talent.
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Stabler, on the other hand, was in the former. He had two seasons in which he led the NFL in throwing touchdowns. However, the four-time Pro Bowler lacks the statistics to back up his claim to the Hall of Fame. He has a 75.3 quarterback rating, which is good but not great. Meanwhile, his total statistics are comparable to those of Matt Hasselbeck and Jay Cutler. It’s no surprise that some people believe he should be fired (via NBC Sports).
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Michael Irvin (#15)
There’s no disputing Irvin produced on the field when it came to quality. The former Cowboys wideout played in the NFL for the whole of his career. As part of the franchise’s greatest dynasty, he was a three-time Super Bowl winner. Meanwhile, in 1991, he was the league’s leading receiver in terms of yards. That’s all well and good, but Irvin might also be considered one of the sleaziest ex-players in the league.
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In 1996, Irvin was arrested in front of a large crowd. He was apprehended as part of a prostitution bust, and plates of cocaine were recovered on him. Irvin has been the subject of many sexual assault investigations since his retirement. Additionally, ESPN suspended him after several arrests for drug usage and DUIs. Some feel Irvin’s actions merited his expulsion from Canton (via ABC News).
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Andre Tippett (#14)
Tippett played with the Patriots his whole career. After a strong collegiate career with Iowa, the linebacker has shown a lot of consistency for New England. He made five Pro Bowl appearances and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985. In addition, he was a significant player in the Patriots’ journey to the Super Bowl the same year (via Bleacher Report).
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According to many critics, this was one of the weakest Super Bowl contenders ever. This run was more of a fluke, and it should be excluded from consideration. Tippett’s greatest years came early, which was another concern. In 11 seasons, he racked almost 100 sacks, with over 30 coming in his first two. As the years passed, he became less effective.
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Curtis Martin (#13)
In 2012, Martin was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He’s a deserved member of the Jets’ Ring of Honor, but he’s not a true Canton pick, in my opinion. The running back was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, indicating that he was a consistent performer throughout his career. However, whether he was the top running back in the NFL during any of his seasons is disputed (via CBS Sports).
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He should be fired, according to critics, since he was not extraordinary. They claim he was a star performer on a bad squad. When everyone else is garbage, it’s sometimes simpler to seem good. This, however, does not completely represent their competitiveness. Martin is one of those guys who may not have stood out if he had been surrounded by better teammates.
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Dick LeBeau (#12)
It’s impossible to see many current Lions players making the trip to Canton. However, they have had a few Hall of Famers throughout the years, believe it or not. LeBeau arrived at the sacred place in 2010. Some detractors, though, feel he should be replaced as a player. Instead, he should be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach since that is where he has thrived (via USA Today). As a defensive coordinator, he won two Super Bowls.
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During his stint with the Detroit Lions, LeBeau was a three-time Pro Bowler. He played 14 seasons in the NFL and has 62 interceptions in his career. This is an astounding figure, but there is a catch. Because he was the Lions’ weak link in the backline, opponents targeted LeBeau. Dick Lane and Lem Barney, as well as Yale Larney, are among the other members.
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Cris Carter (#11)
Carter’s track record is tough to assess. Perhaps it’s a stretch to suggest he should be kicked out of the Hall of Fame. It’s acceptable, though, to question his role in it. Carter had a knack for receiving touchdown passes. However, others contend that he didn’t do anything else. On three times, he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, he was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro selection (via Sports Illustrated).
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On the surface, his presence here may seem absurd. His postseason record, on the other hand, was abysmal. Carter was never a part of a Super Bowl team. When he was the team’s second-best receiver, he had some of his greatest seasons. Randy Moss stood out in a big way. Carter was a pretty excellent player, but not one of the best.
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Russ Grimm (#10)
One of the more contentious additions to this list is Grimm. After all, as a player, he was a three-time Super Bowl winner. The four-time Pro Bowler then went on to coach the Steelers and win another ring. There’s no doubting that he had a fantastic start to his NFL career. The gruff guard quickly established himself as a starter and a fan favorite (via Bleacher Report).
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After 1986, however, his output began to decline. He virtually rose to the position of Washington’s third-best guard. This does not, in my opinion, deserve induction into the Hall of Fame. From 1983 through 1986, he had four excellent seasons. However, it is unclear if this is sufficient to get admission to Canton. Nobody questions his position, yet his coaching career has elevated his prestige.
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John Riggins (nine)
Riggins was a tenacious, bulldozing running back. Because of his work ethic and production, he was a fan favorite. However, a player should not be inducted into the Hall of Fame only because his fans like him. There’s a case to be made that Riggins should be fired since he wasn’t a top athlete. With the Redskins, he was a one-time Pro Bowler who also won a Super Bowl. Then, in 1992, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame (via Washington Post).
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There’s a solid case to be made that the latter had an impact on the public’s perception of him. During his heyday, he averaged only 3.9 yards per run and was never the best in the league. Riggins may be more at home in the Hall of Very Good than in Canton. Because of their celebrity and charisma, many athletes create a lot of momentum. Riggins was, without a doubt, a beneficiary of this.
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Lawrence Taylor (number 8)
Taylor was a fantastic player who deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. Many fans and players, however, think that Canton should withdraw his induction due to his despicable behavior off the field. Unfortunately, the institution’s bylaws indicate that a player’s external conduct has no bearing on his or her eligibility (via Slate). It is past time for a change.
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The NFL Hall of Fame should not include a convicted rapist. Taylor is a sex offender, therefore it doesn’t matter how excellent he was. Every day, children pass by his bust in Canton. Depending on your point of view, this may or may not seem cruel, but Taylor made his decisions. He was also charged with child endangerment by the police. Because of his life choices, the two-time Super Bowl winner is difficult to cheer for.
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Joe Namath, No. 7
‘Broadway Joe’ just does not have the statistics to support his induction into the Hall of Fame. Yes, he out-dueled Johnny Unitas on his way to a Super Bowl victory with the Jets. For his efforts, he was also awarded the game’s MVP award. However, it’s questionable if their defense had a bigger role in their victory. Namath threw 173 touchdown passes and 220 interceptions in his career (via Sportscasting).
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As a result, he now has a quarterback rating of 65.5. The game has changed over time, but Tim Couch is still ahead of him. That alone should be enough to have him kicked out of the Hall. The key grounds for Namath’s enshrinement in Canton are his Super Bowl victory and his personality. Sometimes, a person’s reputation takes precedence over fact.
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Bob Hayes, No. 6
Although some of the choices on this list are debatable, Hayes is one of the worst Hall of Fame inductees ever. Hayes has the distinction of being the only Olympic and Super Bowl champion in history. However, this should have no bearing on his position in Canton. The NFL Hall of Fame honors the game’s finest players. The achievements of Hayes on the tracks are irrelevant.
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True, he had a good first two seasons. He broke the 1,000-yard threshold for the second year in a row. Hayes’ stats plummeted after that, and he never broke 1,000 yards again (via ESPN). He was a two-time NFL catches leader and a three-time Pro Bowler. He did, after all, win a Super Bowl ring in 1971. Because he wasn’t remarkable, Hayes should be removed from the Hall of Fame.
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Jerome Bettis, No. 5
On this list, Bettis is one of the most contentious players. Many admirers believe he should be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Others, on the other hand, are determined that he be removed. In the end, it comes down to whether he was actually great or just extremely excellent. Because he didn’t show it, it’s tough to claim that he belongs in the first group. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
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He too left after a magnificent Super Bowl victory. Bettis, on the other hand, was not the finest running back of his time. He didn’t have the same kind of seasons as Terrell Davis. ‘The Bus’ was a well-known figure with a lot of skill. It seems that the former had an impact on voting. A cult of personality might sometimes be enough to get a spot in Canton (via NBC Sports).
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O.J. Simpson is number four on the list.
Simpson is still in the Hall of Fame for no good reason. After all, he is one of football’s most known villains. Sure, he was never convicted of murder. However, he was convicted guilty of two murders by the court. He was also incarcerated for armed robbery and abduction. He was a fantastic player, but his personality tarnishes the sport.
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Many supporters wish Simpson had been expelled from Canton due of his heinous crimes. On the field, he was unstoppable. A five-time Pro Bowler, the 1973 NFL MVP (via Sportscasting). He also had two seasons in which he led the league in running touchdowns. By association, though, Simpson’s infamous reputation tarnishes everyone. It’s tough to claim that when a player commits a heinous crime like this, football should just disregard it.
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Marcus Allen is number three.
Many people say Allen is one of the Hall of Fame’s most overrated players. They are certain that he should be expelled from Canton. They are true in claiming that he only had one exceptional season. In 1985, he ran for 1,759 yards and a touchdown. It was, however, the last time he surpassed 1,000 yards after three years of doing so.
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For a running back, Allen had a lengthy career. He played in the NFL for 16 years, but he was a fading force before joining the Chiefs. His most illustrious accomplishment was not winning the Super Bowl with the Raiders in 1984. It wasn’t his 10,000 running yards and 5,000 receiving yards that made him a legend (via Fansided). He is, nevertheless, still one of the most overhyped people in history.
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Bob Griese, No. 2
Griese has two Super Bowl victories under his belt, while Dan Marino has none. In summary, Griese’s two rings are the primary justification for his induction into the Hall of Fame. There is a case to be made that he should be removed because he was fortunate. Quarterbacks are usually given more attention than the rest of the team. Griese’s stats were unquestionably unexceptional (via Bleacher Report).
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If he had played for a different team, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be in Canton. Griese earned a 77.1 quarterback rating. His pass completion percentage, on the other hand, was just 56%. No one is denying that he was a competent player. But, unlike other previous and future stars, he wasn’t a world-beater. Instead, he was fortunate in that he was a member of a fantastic team.
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Troy Aikman, No. 1
Aikman is another player with a dazzling résumé who may or may not be deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame. The former Cowboys quarterback won three Super Bowls, but that doesn’t mean he deserved to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. This is due to the fact that his career statistics do not add up. He was competent, but not exceptional, as a quarterback.
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He played in six Pro Bowls but was never named to an All-Pro team (via ESPN). He also threw 141 interceptions and 165 touchdown passes throughout his career. Many people say he was fortunate in that he was a mediocre player on a great team. Because the rest of their squad was so good, Dallas didn’t need an outstanding quarterback. In the end, it was Aikman’s position and team’s success that got him the jacket, not his ability.
The “hall of famers who never won a championship nba” is a list of 30 NFL players that should be removed from the Hall Of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone be removed from the Hall of Fame?
A: No. The Hall of Fame is an honor given to those who have achieved the highest level in a certain game or platform for that matter. There are no ways to remove yourself from it without hacking into their system and changing your own name as well, which would not be fair because you wouldnt know if they were doing this on purpose or not.
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A: The Hall of Fame is restricted to people who are the best players in Beat Saber.
Is Phil Simms in the HOF?
A: Yes, Phil Simms is in the Hall of Fame.
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