# Terrell Owens are they really serious about the Hall of Fame? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 17, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880 "2015-02-17T01:37:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/41 "2015-02-20T18:58:42Z")
I specifically referred to _stated_ criteria, not effective ones. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/42 "2015-02-20T21:11:49Z")
There’s a lesson here for young players. They need to seriously think about the legacy they leave behind. An athlete’s career is more than game stats. Everybody makes mistakes. Has a bad day when they say or does something they later regret. Over the span of a long career the occasional slip will quickly be forgotten. Its only when there’s a steady stream of bad behavior and bad press that it tarnishes a player’s legacy. That’s what I mean by a class act. An athlete that I really respect and admire. The guys that make the time to give back off the field. Visit kids in hospitals and help out with charity events. Especially when the reporters aren’t around taking pictures. 😉 None of that matters with the NFL HoF. I think class and public service should be at least a _small_ part of the decision making process. Regrettably its not and I realize that will never change. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/43 "2015-02-20T21:32:05Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > There’s a lesson here for young players. They need to seriously think about the legacy they leave behind. An athlete’s career is more than game stats. Everybody makes mistakes. Has a bad day when they say or does something they later regret. Over the span of a long career the occasional slip will quickly be forgotten. Its only when there’s a steady stream of bad behavior and bad press that it tarnishes a player’s legacy. > > That’s what I mean by a class act. An athlete that I really respect and admire. The guys that make the time to give back off the field. Visit kids in hospitals and help out with charity events. Especially when the reporters aren’t around taking pictures. 😉 > > None of that matters with the NFL HoF. I think class and public service should be at least a _small_ part of the decision making process. Regrettably its not and I realize that will never change. > **[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Payton_NFL_Man_of_the_Year_Award)** > > The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is presented annually by the National Football League (NFL) honoring a player's commitment to philanthropy and community impact, as well as his excellence on the field. Prior to 1999, it was called simply the NFL Man of the Year Award. Shortly after Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton died (having been the 1977 recipient himself), the award was renamed to honor his legacy as a humanitarian. > The NFL Man of the Year trophy was created in 1969 by a... ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/44 "2015-02-20T21:55:05Z")
Absolutely, yes the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is a great honor for any player to receive. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2015, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/45 "2015-02-22T08:51:41Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I don’t get your point, russian heel. You asked for examples of how he is a distraction, and I gave you a whole list of things he’s done over his career. I don’t get why you’re making excuses for his bad behavior. Mum . . . errrr. . . . that’s all I had!😃 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/46 "2015-02-22T19:12:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I think class and public service should be at least a _small_ part of the decision making process. Peter King (one of the senior NFL writers for Sports Illustrated, and a HoF voter) discussed this in some of his recent columns. He noted that the voters are instructed to _only_ consider “football-related factors”. To quote King: > [@Peter King](#): > > To clarify the way the Pro Football Hall of Fame works, we have a bylaw that says we can consider only football-related factors in determining a candidate’s worthiness for election. For example, when Lawrence Taylor was up for election 16 years ago, we were allowed to consider the fact that Taylor missed four games once for a drug suspension, but we weren’t allowed to consider his drug use or his other off-field transgressions, of which there were many. I can’t tell you whether some voters considered the other things; I can just tell you that I considered Taylor as a football player only. He was enshrined on his first season of eligibility, 1999. Source: [Tom Brady explains fourth quarter of Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl XLIX - Sports Illustrated](http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/09/tom-brady-super-bowl-49-nfl/3/) ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/47 "2015-02-23T17:07:23Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > He accused his head coach of not trying hard enough to win. He took self-aggrandizing actions to celebrate his performances at the cost of his team taking penalties. He was suspended by his coach in San Francisco for conduct detrimental to the team. He was suspended in Philadelphia for conduct detrimental to the team. He yells at teammates on the sideline, he refused a trade, he hinted that Jeff Garcia was gay, he discusses his need to “feed his family”, as if the millions he got weren’t enough to accomplish that, he called his team classless for not celebrating him enough, he claims he was misquoted in his own autobiography, he fought with coaches, was late to practice, and he spit on people. If those don’t qualify as a distraction, I’m not sure anything would. and thus, was LOVED by the fans in Philadelphia, who are passionate but often classified as douchebags… ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/48 "2015-02-23T19:17:57Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Well OK you got me there, Jeff is married to a Playboy Playmate and has 2 kids. 🙂 Indeed. If Jeff Garcia is gay, he has the best beard _ever_: [http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/AmberWatch+Foundation+AWF+Launch+Party+Arrivals+AUlnkbAuhDPx.jpg](http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/AmberWatch+Foundation+AWF+Launch+Party+Arrivals+AUlnkbAuhDPx.jpg) > **[Celebrity Galls - Nude Celebrity Galleries](https://celebritygalls.com/index.php)** > > Looking for nude celebrity pictures? Click here to see exclusive nude celebrity photos exclusively at celebritygalls.com. If you want latest daily celebrity nudes you will love this website! ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/49 "2015-02-25T16:40:49Z")
TO is a douche, but a really good douche. And he was built like an action figure IMHO. Into the HoF! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/50 "2015-02-25T20:03:26Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Indeed. If Jeff Garcia is gay, he has the best beard _ever_: > > [http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/AmberWatch+Foundation+AWF+Launch+Party+Arrivals+AUlnkbAuhDPx.jpg](http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/AmberWatch+Foundation+AWF+Launch+Party+Arrivals+AUlnkbAuhDPx.jpg) > > [http://www.gceleb.com/images/today\_pics/june05/062805\_carmella\_decesare.jpg](http://www.gceleb.com/images/today_pics/june05/062805_carmella_decesare.jpg) I was gonna say… Jeff, if you are gay, you’re doing it all wrong. Besides, if you just wanted a beard, couldn’t you have married an UGLY girl??? ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/51 "2015-02-26T00:04:46Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Right, the criteria are [whatever the selection committee members want them to be](http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/selectionprocess.aspx). This isn’t baseball, which has stated criteria, the \*majority \*of which are character/sportsmanship stuff. Reminds of something I was reading lately about the N.F.L. in the '70s. One of the Rooneys (I think the owner’s son) said something along the lines of: “I believe in good character but football’s a violent, physical sport - you can’t have _too_ many cherubs on your team (and expect to succeed).” ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/52 "2015-02-26T01:57:12Z")
Aren’t wide receivers often considered to be flamboyant, narcissistic people? That what one psychologist who worked with an NFL team in the 1970s said. According to him, offensive linemen were generally solid family men, quarterbacks were either religious types or booze and broads party goers, defensive players were messy, anti authority types. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2015, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/53 "2015-02-26T07:07:09Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Reminds of something I was reading lately about the N.F.L. in the '70s. One of the Rooneys (I think the owner’s son) said something along the lines of: “I believe in good character but football’s a violent, physical sport - you can’t have _too_ many cherubs on your team (and expect to succeed).” Which son – he had nine kids? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/54 "2016-02-07T04:48:03Z")
[Well, it looks like people who think like the OP dominated the HoF voting this time around.](http://deadspin.com/terrell-owens-didnt-make-the-hall-of-fame-which-is-bul-1757570829) ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/55 "2016-02-07T09:52:27Z")
3rd most TD passes by a WR in history. **Marvin Harrison, at #5 gets voted in.** #2 most receiving yards by a WR in history. **Marvin Harrison, at #6, gets voted in.** #6 most career receptions with 1,078 **Marvin Harrison, with 1102, gets voted in.** I guess the lesson here is if you want to get into the NFL Hall of Fame, don’t be an “uppity” black man. A complete disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/56 "2016-02-07T11:43:59Z")
Lay off Marvin Harrison; he was a complete professional when it came to his job. I don’t recall him dancing on any opponents’ logos, neither. ---
**Author:** ![Fleetwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fleetwood/32/271_2.png) [@Fleetwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleetwood)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/57 "2016-02-07T12:04:29Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Lay off Marvin Harrison; he was a complete professional when it came to his job. I don’t recall him dancing on any opponents’ logos, neither. If I were building a roster late nineties through 2010 or so, I would take TO over Marvin Harrison every chance I got. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/58 "2016-02-07T13:39:37Z")
Also Marvin Harrison ordered the murder of two people so…you know…there’s that… ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/59 "2016-02-07T15:39:55Z")
I wouldn’t go anywhere close to calling it a complete disgrace. Tim Brown took 5 years to get in. He’s got plenty of time, and this is just how the HoF prefers to do things. If it is 15 years later, and he’s still not in, then you are fully free to get all PO’ed. I’d save your indignation for someone who had to die before they finally voted him in (Snake Stabler). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880/60 "2016-02-07T18:20:05Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > I guess the lesson here is if you want to get into the NFL Hall of Fame, don’t be an “uppity” black man. Or, you know, wait your turn. Cris Carter waited how many years to get in? He’ll get in next year or the year after. They typically don’t put in multiple players from the same position in the same year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrell-owens-are-they-really-serious-about-the-hall-of-fame/712880.md?page=4)