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The Hall of Fame Selection Committee has announced the 17 finalists for the 2014 class to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Denver Broncos legend Terrell Davis is not one of them. Neither are Steve Atwater or Karl Mecklenburg. John Lynch (2004-2007) is the lone Denver Bronco among them.
The 15 modern finalists and 2 Senior recommendations are:
K Morten Andersen - Saints, Falcons, Giants, Chiefs, Vikings
RB Jerome Bettis - Rams, Steelers
LB Derrick Brooks - Buccaneers
WR Tim Brown - Raiders, Buccaneers
Owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr - 49ers
Coach Tony Dungy - Vikings, Buccaneers, Colts
LB/DE Kevin Greene - Rams, Steelers, Panthers, 49ers
P Ray Guy - Raiders
DE/LB Charles Haley - 49ers, Cowboys
WR Marvin Harrison - Colts
DE Claude Humphrey - Falcons, Eagles
T Walter Jones - Seahawks
S John Lynch - Buccaneers, Broncos
WR Andre Reed - Bills, Redskins
G Will Shields - Chiefs
DE Michael Strahan - Giants
CB/S Aeneas Williams - Cardinals, Rams
I don't want to take anything away from John Lynch. He was a good Bronco while he was with us. However, he was an even better Buccaneer and that's why he'll go in as one. Kudos and limitless credit unto and all over Lynch.
I am absolutely furious over Terrell Davis. You're telling me that Bettis gets a second look before Terrell Davis?! Are you joking? Bettis has one less Super Bowl victory, one less Super Bowl MVP, one less 2,000-yard rushing season, one less League MVP.... But did he had twice the career to NOT do it in. It makes me so angry I could literally throw up.
Atwater? COME ON FELLAS! 8-time Pro-Bowler, 2-time First Team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl Champion? Nothing?! John Lynch only went to one Pro-Bowl more than Atwater, but won one fewer Super Bowl. Atwater had more tackles and nearly as many interceptions. Travesty!
...and then there's poor Karl Mecklenburg. As much as it kills me to say it, Karl has to wait in line. There's another great Denver Broncos linebacker whose omission is an even more egregious failure on the part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Randy Gradishar's lack of recognition is a crime. It just wouldn't be fair to let Karl in before Randy. Randy needs his due. So does Karl, but damn... for a joke this crap ain't funny.
Remember folks, the Broncos are the winningest NFL franchise over the last 30 years (Pat Bowlen's stewardship). Obviously, that kind of thing just sort of happens without decent players, right? Clearly the Pro Football Hall of Fame thinks so.
Go Broncos!