The Broken Record

all of these writers have archives that can be found online, and if you scan some, you will probably find some piece that has an impact or that you enjoy. Don’t hesitate to tell Dan Pompeii, for example, how much you enjoyed his such and such article back during wheniswhatsit. It really spoke to you!

Gentlemen,

I apologize for the ‘mass email’, but I am compelled to write to each of you since you are the Senior Committee members for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

My request is to ask that you deeply consider the merits of Floyd Little to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I am certain you are aware of his accomplishments both on and off the field. I simply want you to be aware there are many fans who feel Floyd belongs in the Hall.

Many fans of professional football today don’t realize how times have changed. Many fans view the stats from guys like Eddie George, Jerome Bettis, Ricky Watters and Corey Dillon and think, “wow – those are Hall of Fame careers”. I don’t think that is the case. Today, if a RB can stay on the right team and remain healthy for 6 or 7 years… he will have great stats, but that doesn’t translate to Hall of Fame greatness.

During the era that LIttle played, as you know, the role of RB was very much different than it is now in the NFL. Little retired as the 7th leading rusher in NFL History and the six guys ahead of him are in the Hall of Fame. I mentioned guys like Eddie George and Jerome Bettis earlier for a reason. I think each of them was good, but I’m not sold on the notion that they are Hall of Fame players. Over the next several years, these guys will create great issues for older players like Floyd Little. The players from decades past built the NFL into what it is today, they made it possible for guys like Corey Dillon to have the careers they had in the NFL.

There are a lot of players in recent years that qualify for the “Hall of Really Good”… but, I fear we are forgetting those from the past that belong in the “Hall of Fame”.

Thanks for your consideration.

PS – I realize you are familiar with his accomplishments, but I wanted to send the links anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Little
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LittFl00.htm
http://www.bettingers.org/floyd/index.htm
http://www.littleinthehalloffame.com/

Like ff’s example, in BFE and other parts as well

; )

Thanks firstfan – we need to get as many mailed/emailed as possible – I’m in!
What would it be like if the football field were entirely sand?

I looked it up, apparently they looked something like this.

My only question is, what is this CD? you speak of. I just download music.

Hello,

I once asked a voting member what criteria were used to select players for the Hall of Fame since it was obvious that stats weren’t always the reason. I was told that when he voted on a former player, he would ask himself, “How different would the NFL be without this player?” I found that observation quite profound and it changed the way I viewed the Hall of Fame and its voting practices.

I used to believe they were snubbing Bronco players on purpose. Obviously, that belief was misguided. I was just looking at it the wrong way. Floyd Little was on the “bubble” when he retired as far as Hall of Fame stats were concerned. Many believed, at the time, he was a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.

Well, that was 34 years ago and now I come to you with one request. Look beyond Floyd Little’s stats and ask yourself this one question, “What would the NFL look like if Floyd Little had never played?”

I could argue that there would be no Broncomania. There would have been no “Orange Crush”. There could quite possibly have been no Denver Broncos beyond 1968. There is a reason why the man was nicknamed “The Franchise” and it pains me to see the single most important man and player in Denver Broncos history continued to be excluded from the Hall of Fame. Yes, more important than John Elway, because without Floyd there is no Broncos.

I ask only that you strongly consider this request and think of how drastically different the NFL would be without Floyd Little.

Thank you for your time,
Me

You make it very easy for the rest of us to put our money where our mouth is. (I wonder if we need to explain where that figure of speech came from)

That’s amazing.

And thanks to all of you for sending emails! We appreciate the help of everyone.

Here’s an article Dave Goldberg wrote yesterday: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/08/19/the-ins-and-outs-of-nfls-hall-of-fame-voting-process

I’ve been tweeting him as well as writing to everyone.

If you guys need any more help or inspiration, don’t forget to check out previous posts:
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/8/10/984289/help-floyd-little-get-in-the-hof
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/8/10/979051/the-mhr-denver-broncos-hall-of
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/8/9/983705/firstfans-letter-to-the-sr
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/8/8/838776/the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-an
http://www.milehighreport.com/2009/5/14/874599/the-denver-broncos-hall-of-fame

No one any good, except for Charlie Johnson towards the end of Little’s career. It might help to name a few of them to show that there was very little offense in Denver except for Floyd Little in those days.

I just sent a passionate letter to Dave Goldberg regarding the article referenced in studbucket’s comment. It got rejected. I used dgoldberg@ap.org Isn’t this correct?

Before this slips off the front page, send out your email, help get Floyd into the Hall of Fame!

We really appreciate everyone who has sent mail and helped with this!