While not as widely known as many other sports’ celebrations of its stars in America, soccer has its own Hall of Fame too.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame was founded back in 1979 and set-up at the Toyota Stadium in Texas, where it remains to this day.
A museum was built in Oneonta, New York, to cement the work of the Hall of Fame, and that opened its doors to the public for the first time in 1999.
Numerous stars from Major League Soccer and overseas have made their way into the Hall of Fame, from Bruce Arena to Erik Wynalda and everyone in between.
The highest honor that the HoF bestows is the ‘Medal of Honor’, awarded to those who have ‘demonstrated vision and played a historic role in changing the course of soccer in America.’
So far, the medal has been awarded to three individuals and one team: Alan Rothenberg, the popular former director of U.S. Soccer; Lamar Hunt, co-founder of the NASL; Phil Anschutz, a former owner of six different MLS teams who was vital in the development of soccer-specific stadiums, and finally the U.S. women’s national team, who won the inaugural World Cup in 1991.
The qualification criteria for Hall of Fame entry are clear. The individual must have been retired for at least three years but no longer than ten, won 20 or more caps for the U.S. national team and played at least five seasons in a major American competition, be it the MLS or NWSL.
There are also categories for ‘veterans’, i.e. those who have been retired more than ten years, and ‘builders’, who are individuals that have played a major role in the development of soccer in America in a non-playing capacity.
With these eligibility criteria in mind, let’s try and predict five future entries into the National Soccer Hall of Fame:
Few individuals of any gender have done more to put U.S. soccer on the world map in the modern era than Megan Rapinoe.
Something of a feminist and LGBT icon, Rapinoe has transcended the sport with her outspoken views on issues ranging from gender equality to politics.
But like all Hall of Famers, she can take care of business out on the turf too. The 34-year-old is a Ballon d’or Feminin winner – the highest award bestowed upon an individual player, as well as a World Cup champion and an Olympic gold medalist.
It’s only a matter of time before Landon Donovan is inducted into the Hall of Fame – literally, given that he retired in 2018 and so will be eligible for entry next year.
A six-time MLS Cup winner, Donovan is also a seven-time Best XI selection who enjoyed a fine career outside of America playing for the likes of Everton and Bayern Munich.
He is the joint all-time record goalscorer for the national team, the all-time leader in assists and the second most-capped player.
In short, Donovan enjoyed a phenomenal career that will surely be recognized with an induction into the Hall of Fame in the very near future.
There are soccer coaches, and then there’s Brian Schmetzer.
Famously employed by the Seattle Sounders after a job interview in a coffee shop back in 2001, Schmetzer has been with the franchise in a variety of roles ever since.
He will be forever remembered for winning two MLS Cups with the Sounders, including last season’s edition, and the fire is still burning strong now with Seattle well-fancied to retain their title according to the football betting at Space Casino market.
In many ways, nobody has blazed a trail greater for U.S. soccer players looking to enjoy a career overseas than Clint Dempsey.
The attacker didn’t enjoy just one season in the English Premier League, he enjoyed seven with Fulham and Tottenham, scoring 57 goals along the way and reaching the Europa League final with the Cottagers.
The joint leading goalscorer for the USMNT alongside Donovan, Clint Dempsey is another ‘shoe in’ for HoF selection when the time is right.
We don’t have a crystal ball, but surely Christian Pulisic is a Hall of Famer in waiting?
It’s a weighty tag to put on a 21-year-old’s shoulders, but Pulisic has already played for two giants of European soccer in Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea – his $73 million transfer to London making him the most expensive American player of all time.
He is the youngest-ever captain of the national team too, and alongside the likes of Tyler Adams, Paxton Pomykal and Antonee Robinson he will be tasked with taking the United States forward in the game.
If Pulisic can, he will no doubt join the other candidates on this list in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.
Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential. In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher. In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.
Last time, we looked at the NFL MVP. As this often overlapped the Bert Bell Award, we thought we would take it a little easy, and go right to this one.
The Award is named after Bert Bell, who was the NFL Commissioner from 1946 to his death until 1959. It is voted on by the Maxwell Football Club, which comprises of NFL Owners, football personnel, coaches and media.
So how many Bert Bell Award winners have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the Bert Bell Award who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1959)
Johnny Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship, and in his fourth season in the NFL, he would take his team to back-to-back titles. This year, “Johnny U” led the NFL in Completions (193), Passing Yards (2,899), Touchdown Passes (32), and he was a First Team All-Pro for the second time. Unitas would also win the NFL MVP this season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (1960)
Norm Van Brocklin was a grizzled veteran by this time, as he played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 to 1957, and he joined the Eagles in 1958. A Champion with the Rams in 1951, the 1960 campaign would see him go 10-2, with 2,471 Yards, and 24 Touchdowns. In what was his ninth Pro Bowl, he would go to his first and only First Team All-Pro, while also leading the Eagles to the NFL Championship. This was his last year as a player, as he hoped to be named the team’s head coach after. That didn’t happen, but he would take over as the HC for the Minnesota Vikings. Van Brocklin retired with a record of 61-36-4 with 23,611 Yards and 173 Touchdowns. He would also win the AP MVP this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers, Halfback & Kicker (1961)
A former Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame, Paul Hornung played his entire with the Green Bay Packers, and in 1960, he rushed for 597 Yards. The Packers would also win the NFL Championship that year, and he was also rewarded with the NFL AP. Hornung played until 1966, and won three more titles with Green Bay. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Andy Robustelli, New York Giants, Defensive End (1962)
In his tenth season in the NFL, Andy Robustelli became the first defensive player to win the Bert Bell Award. The Defensive End was already a two-time NFL Champion (1951 with Los Angeles, 1956 with New York) and he would already go to seven Pro Bowls and was chosen for six First Team All-Pros. Curiously, this year he was neither a Pro Bowl, nor a First Team All-Pro, and he would never win those awards again, as he played only two more seasons. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (1963)
By 1963, Jim Brown had already won the AP MVP twice and the UPI MVP once, and in 1963 he would secure his sixth Rushing Title. While he was not awarded the AP MVP this year, the Bert Bell Award was his, and it came in his best statistical season. Brown rushed for a career-high of 1,863 Rushing Yards, and he led the NFL in 12 Rushing Touchdowns. Brown played two more seasons, winning the NFL Championship in 1964 and capturing his third AP MVP and UPI MVP in 1965, which would be his final season, as the Running Back would abruptly retire. He would finish his career with 12,312 Rushing Yards, which was then the all-time record. In the nine seasons he played, Brown was a Pro Bowl in all of them, and a First Team All-Pro in eight. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (2) (1964)
This season, Unitas took his team to the NFL Championship, though they would fall to the Cleveland Browns in an upset. Regardless, this was a stellar regular season for the “Golden Arm”, as Unitas was chosen for his third First Team All-Pro and he threw for 19 TDs against only 6 Interceptions. Unitas also went 12-2 with 2,824 Yards. Also the AP MVP this season, Unitas became the first repeat Bert Bell Award winner. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (3) (1967)
Arguably, this is the last great season of Unitas’s career, who would play until 1973, with one forgettable year in San Diego. 1967 saw him go to his tenth Pro Bowl and fifth First Team All-Pro, both of which would be his last. Also winning the AP MVP this year, Unitas threw for 20 Touchdowns and 3,428 Yards, and for the first and only time in his career, he led the NFL in Completion Percentage (58.5). When he retired, he had a record of 118-63-4, 40,239 Passing Yards and 290 Touchdowns. He is a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, 75thAnniversary Team and 100thAnniversary Team. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Leroy Kelly, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (1968)
It is impossible to follow Jim Brown in the Browns backfield, but Leroy Kelly did a pretty good job. Kelly was a First Team All-Pro in 1966 and repeated that in both 1967 and 1968. Kelly won the Rushing Title in both ’67 and ’68, with the latter seeing him put up personal highs in both categories (1,239 Rushing Yards and 16 Rushing Touchdowns). Kelly also led the NFL in All-Purpose Yards (1,536) and Touchdowns (20). He played until 1973 (all with Cleveland), and he retired with 7,274 Rushing Yards, 9,555 All-Purpose Yards and 87 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.
George Blanda, Oakland Raiders, Kicker (1970)
The first Oakland Raider to win the Bert Bell Award, George Blanda seemed to earn a lifetime achievement award as this was not exactly a banner year for the former Quarterback/Kicker. Blanda began his career in 1949, and he was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection prior to winning this honor. Blanda was 43 years old, and was mostly used just as a Place Kicker at this point and as awesome as his overall career was, he was not realistically among the top 100 players in football at this point. Blanda played until 1975, and he was named the Man of the Year in 1974. While we have major respect for Blanda, this was a horrific choice for 1970 and it cheapened the award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys, Quarterback (1971)
Roger Staubach became the second Cowboys Quarterback to win Bert Bell Award and he did so in his third year in the NFL. This season, the Cowboys would win their first Super Bowl, with “Captain Comeback” winning the Super Bowl MVP. During the regular season, the former Navy star had 15 Touchdown passes, 1,882 Passing Yards, and finished first in Quarterback Rating (104.8). The Quarterback played his entire career with Dallas and he would throw for 22,700 Passing Yards with 153 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1973)
The accomplishments of O.J. Simpson in 1973 was at its time in the stratosphere. The Running Back became the first player to exceed 2,000 Yards on the ground (2,003) and he also led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (12) and Yards from Scrimmage (2,073). Simpson also won the AP MVP, NEA MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year. This was the second of what would be four Rushing Titles, and he finished his career in 1979 with 11,236 Rushing Yards and 94 Touchdowns, with another 14 TDs coming from the air. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Merlin Olsen, Los Angeles Rams, Defensive Tackle (1974)
Merlin Olsen debuted in 1962 and was a Pro Bowl that season. He would repeat that accolade every year until his final season in 1976. Becoming the first Defensive Tackle to win the Bert Bell Award, this feels more like a “Lifetime Achievement Award” as this was well past his five straight seasons of being a First Team All-Pro (1966-70), though this was still a good season for the native of Utah. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback(1975)
The best scrambling Quarterback of the 1970s, Fran Tarkenton would lead the NFL in Completions (273) and Touchdown Passes (25) with 2,994 Yards. He would also win the AP MVP this year. This was his eighth of nine Pro Bowl Selections, and he would finish his career with 47,003 Yards and 342 Touchdowns, while also rushing for 3,674 Yards and another 32 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (1976)
Two years before, Ken Stabler won the AP MVP, NEA MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year. While “The Snake” did not in any of those this season (nor was he even a First Team All-Pro), he was s till a Pro Bowler, led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (27), and more importantly led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl win. He stayed with Oakland until 1979, and played five more years with the New Orleans Saints before retiring. He would have 27,938 Passing Yards with 194 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Bob Griese, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1977)
The two Super Bowls were behind him, but Bob Griese still had a lot left in a career spent entirely with the Miami Dolphins. This season, Griese led the NFL in Passing Touchdowns (22) and Passer Rating (87.8) while throwing for 2,252 Yards. He would be named a First Team All-Pro for the second and final time and was a Pro Bowl for the fifth of what would be six selections. He ended his career in 1980m and would accumulate 25,092 Yards with 192 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback (1978)
You win a lot of games when you have as good a defense as Terry Bradshaw had with the Steel Curtain, but don’t mistake that for the Quarterback not doing his fair share. Playing his entire career (1970-83) with Pittsburgh, Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, with 1978 being his third. This season, he would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (28) with 2,915 Passing Yards, and would win the AP MVP. He retired in 1983 with 27,989 Passing Yards and 212 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (1979)
Coming out of the University of Texas, Earl Campbell was the best Running Back in the first three years of his NFL career, all of which seeing him win the Rushing Title and Offensive Player of the Year. 1979 was the second of those seasons, and in addition to leading the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,697) and also first in Rushing Touchdowns (19). He also won the AP MVP this year. Campbell would play until 1985 and would have 10,213 Yards from Scrimmage with 74 Touchdowns over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
John Riggins, Washington Redskins, Running Back (1983)
You are not supposed to have your best year as a Running Back at age 34 but that is precisely what John Riggins did as a member of the Washington Redskins in 1983. This year, he would run the ball into the end zone 24 times, well ahead of any other Back. Rushing for 1,347 Yards this year, he was a First Team All-Pro, and would take Washington to a Super Bowl appearance. He retired in 1985 with 11,352 career Rushing Yards and 104 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1984)
Playing his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, this was the second season that Dan Marino was in the NFL. This year, he shattered the Passing Yards record with 5,084, making him the first QB to hit the 5,000 mark. He also threw for 48 Touchdowns, destroying Y.A. Tittle’s 36 in 1963. Marino was also first in Quarterback rating (108.9), Approximate Value (21), Completions (362), and also won the AP MVP. The Dolphin pivot would lead the NFL in Passing Yards four more times, and after he retired in 1999, he would have 61,361 Yards with 420 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Walter Payton, Chicago Bears, Running Back (1985)
This was the year of the Super Bowl Shuffle and the Bears first title in the Super Bowl era. It was Walter Payton, who had been their top offensive weapon for a decade that would win the Bert Bell Awards, and he would also capture his fifth and final selection to the First Team All-Pro roster. He played two more years, and retired with what was then an all-time Rushing Yard record of 16,726. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (1986)
Arguably the greatest Linebacker of all time, Lawrence Taylor debuted in 1981, where he began a six-year streak of First Team All-Pro Selections. This season, Taylor would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks (20.5) and won his third Defensive Player of the Year Award. Taylor also won the AP MVP. He would take the Giants to a Super Bowl win this year, and again four years later. Taylor played his entire career with the Giants, and would play in 10 Pro Bowls and recorded 132.5 Sacks over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers, Wide Receiver(1987)
Also, the Offensive Player of the Year, Jerry Rice was on his third season in the NFL, and would earn his second of ten First Team All-Pro Selections. Rice led the NFL in Receiving Yards the year before, and while his 1,078 Yards seems low, he had a career-high and league-leading 22 Touchdown Receptions. He would go on to win three Super Bowls with the 49ers and five more Receiving Yards Titles. He finished his career with three and a half seasons in Oakland, and a half-year in Seattle. Rice is the all-time leader in Receiving Yards (22,895) and a Receiving Touchdowns (197). Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1989)
You would have thought that Joe Montana would have won an MVP by now considering that prior to 1989, he had already won three Super Bowls with five Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro. “Joe Cool” also had already led the NFL in Touchdown passes twice and Completion Percentage four times. This year, Montana would win his fourth Super Bowl, was again a First Team All-Pro, an AP MVP and Pro Bowl, and he again led the league in Completion Percentage (70.2). Montana also threw for 3,521 Passing Yards and 26 TDs. He played two final seasons in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs, and retired in 1994. He left the game with 40,551 Passing Yards and 273 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (1991)
Barry Sanders won his first Rushing Title in 1990, and in 1991 he was second with 1,548. This year saw Sanders lead the NFL Rushing Touchdowns (16), and he would be named to his second of what would be six First Team All-Pros. Sanders, who spent his entire career in Detroit, was also a Pro Bowler, but there was never a season in the NFL where he wasn’t. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1992)
While Steve Young was the starting Quarterback for the 49ers in 1991, 1992 was the year where he proved he should be. Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (66.7), Touchdown Passes (25) and Quarterback Rating (107.0), and would go to his first of seven straight Pro Bowls. This year, he was also named the AP MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys, Running Back (1993)
Emmitt Smith and the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl the year before, and in 1993 he won his third straight Rushing Title with 1,486 Yards. Smith was also first in Yards from Scrimmage (1,900) and he also won the Bert Bell Award. Dallas would win the Super Bowl with Smith winning the Super Bowl MVP. Smith would be named to the next two First Team All-Pros and secured a third Super Bowl ring two later, which coincided with his fourth Rushing Title. The Running Back played for Dallas until 2002, and had two final seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before he called it a career in 2004. He retired with 18,355 Rushing Yards and 164 Rushing Touchdowns, which makes him first all-time. Smith is also second all-time in All-Purpose Yards with 21,579. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (2) (1994)
In 1993, Young was again a First Team All-Pro, and was also named the AP MVP. Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (70.3), 35 Passing Touchdowns and QB Rating (112.8). Young would also lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl win this year. He would have three more seasons where he finished first in Completion Percentage, one more in Touchdown Passes, and two more in QB Rating. Young played until 1999, and retired with 33,124 Passing Yards, 232 Touchdown Passes, 4,239 Rushing Yards and 43 Rushing TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1995)
After four attempts (with no completions) for the Atlanta Falcons in 1992, Brett Favre joined the Green Bay Packers where he went to the Pro Bowl in both 1992 and 1993. In 1995, “The Gunslinger” earned his third Pro Bowl, his first First Team All-Pro, and he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards (4,413), Touchdown Passes (38), and he also won the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (2), Quarterback (1996)
Favre had another phenomenal year where he went to Pro Bowl number four, First Team All-Pro number two, and again won the MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Statistically, he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (39) with 3,899 Passing Yards, and he would lead the Packers to a Super Bowl win. Favre would have four more Pro Bowls with Green Bay, one with the Jets, and one with the Vikings and retired in 2010. He would finish his career with 71,838 Passing Yards and 508 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (2)(1997)
This was the most productive season of Barry Sanders career, where he won his fourth Rushing Title with a career-high 2,053 Rushing Yards. He also rushed for 11 Touchdowns, and was first overall in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,358 (also a career-high). Sanders would also win the AP MVP, and was the Offensive Player of the Year for the second time. Sanders played one more season, retiring in his prime at 30, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his years in the NFL. He ended his career with 15,269 Rushing Yards, 2,921 Receiving Yards and 109 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback (1999)
1999 was the improbable season ever for a Quarterback. Kurt Warner went from Northern Iowa to bagging groceries to the Arena League and then to the NFL, where he won the back-up job to Trent Green, which in itself was a huge accomplishment. Green would be injured in the preseason, and Warner was the starting QB, and he made the most of his opportunity. The leader of the “Greatest Show on Turf”, Warner would throw for 4,353 Yards and lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (65.1), Touchdown Passes (41) and Quarterback Rating (109.2). Warner would then lead the Rams to a Super Bowl Championship. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (2001)
Faulk joined the Rams in 1999, and he helped Kurt Warner and the Rams win the Super Bowl and was the Offensive Player of the Year. In his 2000 AP MVP season, Faulk led the NFL with 18 Rushing Touchdowns, 26 Total Touchdowns and had 2,189 Yards from Scrimmage. This year would see Faulk win the Bert Bell Award and the Offensive Player of the Year with 2,147 All-Purpose Yard season with a league-leading 21 Touchdowns. He played until 2005, accumulating six Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros, 12,279 Rushing Yards, 6,875 Passing Yards and 136 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, Running Back (2006)
Debuting in 2001, Tomlinson would have 1,236 Rushing Yards, which would be the least he would have until 2008. This year, he would win his fourth of five Pro Bowls, second of three First Team All-Pro, and his first of two Rushing Titles with 1,815. He would also lead the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (28) and Touchdowns (31). Tomlinson also won the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, AP MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year. Damn, what a season! Tomlinson played with the Chargers until 2009, and he would have two final seasons in football with the New York Jets. His career ended with 13,684 Rushing Touchdowns, 4,772 Receiving Touchdowns and 153 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
The following are the players who have won the Bert Bell Award in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Pete Retzlaff, Philadelphia Eagles, Tight End (1965)
Pete Retzlaff would become the first Tight End to win the Bert Bell Award, and this was the first year (and only) that he would be named a First Team All-Pro. He would have 1,190 Receiving Yards, 10 Touchdowns, and he would play one more season before calling it a career. Retzlaff had 7,412 Receiving Yards and 47 TDs. Eligible Since 1972. Ranked #110 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Don Meredith, Dallas Cowboys, Quarterback (1966)
The first of what would be many popular Quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboy history, Don Meredith broke out in 1966. This would be his first of three Pro Bowl seasons, and he would throw for a career-high 2,805 Passing Yards and 24 Passing Touchdowns. Meredith was not a First Team All-Pro this year, nor would he ever be one. He retired after 1968 with 17,199 career Passing Yards and 135 TDs. Eligible Since 1974. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams, Quarterback (1969)
The first Filipino-American star in football, Roman Gabriel was the number one pick in the 1963 Draft, but he did not become the permanent starting Quarterback for the Rams until 1966. He would ascend into the upper-tier of NFL pivots, and he went to the Pro Bowl each year from 1967 to 1969, and in ’69, he would lead the league in Touchdown Passes (24), and he also threw for 2,549 Yards. Gabriel would also win the AP MVP this year. Gabriel would later join the Philadelphia Eagles, winning the Comeback Player of the Year in 1973. He played until 1977, and retired with 29,444 Passing Yards and 201 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Brown, Washington Redskins, Running Back(1972)
In the first four years of Larry Brown’s career, he was one of the better Running Backs in the NFL. Brown, who had won the Rushing Title in 1970, would not do so in 1972, but would put up a career-high in Rushing Yards in 1972. That season, he also had another 473 Receiving Yards, and was first in the league in Yards From Scrimmage (1,689). Brown regressed after that, and he retired in 1975 with 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs. Brown also was named the AP MVP this season. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #160 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ron Jaworski, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback(1980)
After three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Jaworski was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became the starting Quarterback. 1980 was the only Pro Bowl season for “Jaws”, and he threw for 27 Touchdowns and 3,529 Yards, while leading Philadelphia to their first NFC Title. He played with the Eagles until 1986, and had brief stints in Miami and Kansas City before retiring in 1989 with 28,190 career Passing Yards and 179 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1995. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1981)
Ken Anderson is considered by most Bengals fans to be the most important player in franchise history, and the biggest Hall of Fame snub. Anderson spent his entire career with the Bengals (1971-86) and in 1981, he would go to his third of four Pro Bowls and took Cincinnati to their first Super Bowl. In the regular season, Anderson threw for 29 Touchdowns, 3,754 Yards, and was also the AP MVP. He played until 1986, and retired with 32,838 Yards with 197 TDs. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins, Quarterback(1982)
This was the strike-shortened season, and the first of two Pro Bowl years for the Redskins’ Quarterback. Theismann would have 13 Touchdown Passes, 2,033 Yards, and take the Redskins to a Super Bowl win. Theismann actually had a better 1983, winning the AP MVP, and returning to the Super Bowl, but this time they lost. A few seasons later, a gruesome leg injury at the hands of the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor would end his career, and Theismann retired with 25,206 Passing Yards and 160 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1991. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (1988)
As football evolves, you would see more Quarterbacks become more mobile. Randall Cunningham was a pioneer of that skill, and in 1988, the Eagles QB would be chosen for his first Pro Bowl with 3,808 Passing Yards and 24 TDs, while also rushing for 624 Yards and 6 TDs. Eligible Since 2003. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2) (1990)
Since his first Bert Bell Award win, Randall Cunningham remained the most exciting QB in football. This season, the Eagles pivot would rush for 942 Yards and five TDs, and in the air he had 3,466 Yards with 30 TDs. Eligible Since 2003. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Randall Cunningham, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback (3) (1998)
Cunningham is one of two multi-time Bert Bell winners to not be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he is a three-time recipient, the first player to achieve that. In the eight years between his second and third Bert Bell win, he dealt with injuries and was retired in 1996. He came back in 1997 for the Minnesota Vikings as a backup, and he was their starter in 1998, the year where he was named a First Team All-Pro for the only time in his career. Cunningham threw for 3,704 Yards, 34 Touchdowns, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (106.0). He played three more seasons and retired with 29,979 Yards, 207 TDs, and rushed for 4,927 Yards and another 35 TDs on the ground. Eligible Since 2003. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (2000)
In 2000, Gannon was chosen for his second Pro Bowl and at age 35 he was a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. He threw for 28 Touchdowns and 3,420 Yards this season. Eligible Since 2010. Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (2) (2002)
This was year four of Rich Gannon’s four year run of Pro Bowls, and this season he would lead the NFL in Completions (418) and Passing Yards (4,689) while throwing for 26 Touchdowns. Gannon took the Raiders to the Super Bowl, but they were destroyed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gannon would get hurt the following season, and only played one more year before retiring in 2004 with 28,743 Passing Yards with 180 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 2010. Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks, Running Back (2005)
Alexander was a Pro Bowl for the third (and final) and he would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,880), Rushing Touchdowns (27), and Touchdowns (28). The Running Back also won the Offensive Player of the Year and the AP MVP. He would play with the Seahawks until 2007, and had one final year with the Redskins before retiring. He left the game with 9,453 Rushing Yards and 100 Rushing Touchdowns. Eligible Since 2014. Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Let’s update our tally, shall we?
|
Award in Question |
Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF |
Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF. |
|
NBA MVP |
100% |
100% |
|
NHL Norris |
90.5% |
96.4% |
|
NBA All Star Game MVP |
89.5% |
91.7% |
|
NHL Conn Smythe |
74.2% |
85.4% |
|
NFL Bert Bell Award |
73.7% |
71.4% |
|
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year |
73.1% |
79.4% |
|
NFL AP MVP |
68.3% |
74.0% |
|
NHL Lady Byng |
63.8% |
76.0% |
|
NFL Defensive Player of the Year |
60.8% |
71.1% |
|
NFL Super Bowl MVP |
60.6% |
64.9% |
|
NBA Defensive Player of the Year |
58.3% |
56.5% |
|
NHL Vezina |
57.1% |
66.3% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
MLB MVP |
55.0% |
60.2% |
|
NFL Pro Bowl MVP |
52.3% |
54.8% |
|
MLB Lou Gehrig Award |
51.9% |
51.9% |
|
MLB Roberto Clemente Award |
47.4% |
47.4% |
|
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award |
44.4% |
55.4% |
|
MLB Babe Ruth Award |
37.0% |
39.3% |
|
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy |
33.3% |
36.7% |
|
MLB Hutch Award |
33.1% |
33.1% |
|
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
28.6% |
28.6% |
|
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy |
27.9% |
27.9% |
|
MLB Edgar Martinez Award |
26.7% |
17.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter) |
25.0% |
30.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop) |
23.5% |
52.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove |
21.7% |
36.8% |
|
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year |
20.6% |
20.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
20.0% |
22.5% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base) |
18.8% |
39.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop) |
18.2% |
35.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher) |
18.2% |
20.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base) |
16.7% |
32.7% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield) |
16.7% |
30.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield) |
15.7% |
25.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base) |
14.3% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base) |
13.6% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base) |
13.6% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year |
13.3% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher) |
10.3% |
15.2% |
|
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |
5.3% |
3.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
|
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year |
0.0% |
0.0% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the Bert Bell Award in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2003)
Peyton Manning was in his sixth season in the NFL, and he would have his fourth Pro Bowl year. Manning would be named a First Team All-Pro for the first time, and he would lead the league in Completions (379), Completion Percentage (67.0), Passing Yards (4,267) and he would throw for 29 Touchdowns. Manning also won the NEA MVP and AP MVP this season. Eligible in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2) (2004)
Peyton Manning went back-to-back, also securing a First Team All-Pro and a fifth Pro Bowl. Manning finished first in Touchdown Passes (49) and Quarterback Rating (121.1), and he threw for 4,557 Yards. In this season, Manning would also win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and the AP MVP. Eligible in 2021.
Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2) (2010)
It didn’t happen in Atlanta, but after missing two years due to being incarcerated for a dog fighting ring, but Michael Vick finally won his first individual award as a Philadelphia Eagle, which was his first year as a starter. Vick threw for 3,018 Yards, 21 Touchdowns and would rush for 676 Yards and 6 TDs. Vick played until 2015, after finishing his career with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, and he would have 6,109 Rushing Yards, 36 Rushing Touchdowns, 22,464 Passing Yards and 133 Passing Touchdowns. Eligible in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (5) (2013)
It still seems strange to type Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco, and he would have a monster regular season with a league-leading 450 Completions, 5,477 Passing Yards, 55 Touchdown Passes and a 80.9 QBR. He would also capture the PFWA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and AP MVP this season. Manning played until 2015, and while he was not great, the Broncos defense allowed him to go on top as a Super Bowl Champion. He retired with 71,940 Passing Yards and 539 Passing Touchdowns. Eligible in 2021.
The following are the players who have won the AP MVP who are still active.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2007)
Tom Brady already won three Super Bowls (with two Super Bowl MVPs) before he secured his first AP MVP. This was the year of the bittersweet season where the Pats entered the Super Bowl undefeated, only to lose to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. Still, it was an incredible year, where the Patriots’ Quarterback led the league in Completion Percentage (68.9), Passing Yards (4,806), Touchdown Passes (50), Passer Rating (117.2) and QBR (88.5). Brady also would win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year this season. 42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2008)
In 2008, Adrian Peterson would win the first of what would be three Rushing Titles with 1,760, and also secured his first Yards from Scrimmage Title (1,885). He had 10 TDs that year. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.
Drew Brees, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2009)
For the fourth time in his career, Drew Brees was named to the Pro Bowl and for the first time in his career he was first in Completion Percentage (70.6) and for the second time he was atop the leaderboard in Touchdown Passes (34). Also throwing for 4,388 Yards, Brees would take New Orleans to the promised land and they would win their first ever Super Bowl. 41 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2011)
This was Aaron Rodgers’ seventh season in the NFL but only his fourth as the Packers starter. Rodgers won the Super Bowl the year before, and this season he would finish first in Passer Rating (122.5) and QBR (84.5), while throwing for 45 Touchdowns, and accumulating 4,643 Passing Yards. He would also win the PFWA MVP and AP MVP. 36 Years Old, Playing for the Green Bay Packers.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2) (2012)
Adrian Peterson would be named to four First Team All-Pro selections, this being his third. Peterson also won three Rushing Titles, with this season being the best one (and second), with him going for 2,097 Yards. The Minnesota Viking also finished first in All-Purpose Yards with 2,314, and he secured 13 Touchdowns this year. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans, Defensive End (2014)
The first Houston Texan to win the Bert Bell Award, J.J. Watt also won his second Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014. This season, he had his second 20 plus Sack year, and would lead the NFL in Tackles for Loss (29). He would win his third Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and also was awarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2017. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Texans.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, Quarterback (2015)
Cam Newton was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, and this season, in addition to his AP MVP, he also won the AP MVP and was the Offensive Player of the Year. Stat wise, Newton threw for 35 Touchdowns, 3,837 Yards, and rushed for 636 Yards and 10 TDs. He took Carolina to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the Denver Broncos. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Panthers.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Quarterback (2016)
The first Atlanta Falcon to win the AP MVP, Matt Ryan would lead the NFL in Passer Rating (117.1) and QBR (79.4). He would also throw for 4,944 Yards with 38 Touchdowns. This year, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and the AP MVP. Ryan would take the Falcons to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the New England Patriots. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback(2017)
From North Dakota State, Carson Wentz broke out with a 33 Touchdown and 3,296 Passing Yard season. This was only through 13 Games, as he suffered an injury, and was unable to complete the year, but Nick FOles stepped in, and the Eagles won their first Super Bowl. 27 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback (2018)
After playing backup as a rookie, Patrick Mahomes took over the starting Quarterback job for the Chiefs and he instantly became one of the most exciting players in the NFL. Mahomes would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (50) and QBR (80.4), and he would throw for 5,097 Yards. This season, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and AP MVP. 24 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, Quarterback(2019)
Jackson was money in his second season. Leading the NFL with 36 Touchdown Passes against only 6 Interceptions. Jackson would throw for 3,127 Yards, and rush for another 1,206 and led the NFL Yards per Rushing Attempt. He also broke the plane with his legs on seven occasions. Jackson also captured the AP MVP. 23 Years Old, Playing for the Baltimore Ravens.
This did generate a high amount of Hall of Famers, but as it feels a little more arbitrary than the AP MVP, it is a shock that its HOF Percentage was higher than the AP MVP.
So, what is up next?
As we are writing this, we are inspired by Baseball’s spring training, so here is the World Series MVP.
As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.
After an intriguing battle at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans,LSU overcame a strong challenge from Clemsonto win the collegiate National Championship, 42-25.
With five or more of those players expected to be snapped up in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, we take a look at the two best prospects and how their current teams might fare without them.
LSU’s Joe Burrow is the first name on the list for good reason. The quarterback’s performance on January 14, confirmed his status as likely first pick overall in April’s draft. He recorded the most passing touchdowns in a season (passing Hawaii's Colt Brennan) and finished the season with 402 of 527 (76.3%) for 5,671 yards. He recorded 60 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and five rushing touchdowns.
Hailed by many as the best ever college quarterback, the 23-year-old could be the first name called in April with mock drafts projecting a move to the Cincinnati Bengals. Myles Brennan has been tasked with replacing the Heisman Trophy winner once the season is over. The highly-rated New Orleans native suddenly finds himself with big shoes to fill but his trajectory has set him up well and he has also bulked up over the last seasons and looks in good physical shape.
Clemson is resigned to losing linebacker (amongst other positions) Isaiah Simmons. The 21-year-old posted some impressive stats (102 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, eight broken up passes and a forced fumble) and has been linked with the Giants in the mock drafts. He is expected to be a top-10 pick and could even make the top-three.
Losing such a versatile defender is never easy and Clemson will have their work cut out selecting a suitable replacement. At first glance, their defense will be notably weaker as players like Simmons don’t come along too often but Clemson has a history of finding a way to compete. We will have to wait to see who they recruit to fill the 21-year-old's shoes.
Thanks to their recent consistency, having appeared in four of the last five finals, Clemson remains the early favorite in the American football betting oddsto win next year’s championship. Also, in the running are Ohio State, Alabama and 2020 winners LSU.
Burrow and all but one of the Heisman Trophy finalistswill be leaving college this season. The exception is Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, who has been announced as favorite to claim the award at the end of the 2020 campaign. He finished third in the 2019 voting behind winner Burrow and runner-up, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Buckeyes reached the playoff semifinals where they lost 29-23 to Clemson.
Also in contention is Trevor Lawrence, who lost the first game of his college career in the Championship final against LSU. Lawrence had previously led Clemson to a national title and will be keen to bounce back stronger before heading the NFL Draft in 2021 where he has been tipped to be No. 1 overall pick. If he can lead the Tigers to a third-straight National Championship game he could also finish the campaign as a Heisman Trophy winner.
With a thrilling end to the Super Bowl 2020, one can only wonder how exciting the next season is going to be. With unpredictability being the common element, the NFL has seen some nail biting encounters last season. Super Bowl 2021 will be played in Tampa, Florida. Betting enthusiasts would be rubbing their hands in anticipation of what’s in store. Kansas City Chiefs are the favourites to win it next year, and you can find the best NFL betting odds, statistics and power rankingsonline. One can expect plenty drama and high-quality football matches throughout the coming season.
Super Bowl 2021 venue
The Super Bowl 2021 will be hosted in Tampa, Florida at the beautiful Raymond James Stadium. The stadium is the home ground of the famous Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have already hosted the event many times in the past. This proved to be a critical requirement for the Super Bowl 2021 which was supposed to be held in Los Angeles but then was later moved to Tampa to meet the requirements of the grand event. It will be the fifth time that Tampa will host a Super Bowl having last hosted it in 2009.
Players to watch out
Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes is the man of the moment and deservingly so. He has been fantastic in the last two seasons and would want to continue impressing and breaking records in the coming season. The young quarterback has got everybody talking and looking forward to his performances. Patrick ‘Showtime’ Mahomes as they call him, would definitely be the player to watch out, for both fans and opposition teams.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, after being named the NFL’s most valuable player will look forward to the next season with a point to prove. He has played superbly the last year and at just 23 years of age, he has a great opportunity to win some more awards. He was awarded the NFL’s most valuable player at the pre-Super Bowl awards. The pre- Super Bowl awards also saw San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa named Rookie of the Year. He would be an exciting watch as he also won the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bosa along with the many other young talents will be the ones to watch out for in the coming season.
Teams to watch out
Kansas City Chiefs with their exciting playing style and the rise of their starlets will be favourites to win the championship next year. San Francisco 49ers came very close to winning it and were only a quarter away from winning the Super Bowl 2020, and would be challenging for the championship.
Baltimore Ravens would want to start winning titles again and would face stiff competition from the New Orleans Saints in doing so. The New England Patriots would want to add to their illustrious cabinet of trophies and will definitely fight for the championship.
Date of commencement
The 101stseason of the NFL will begin in September and end after week 17 is played in January.
Luka Doncic is the number one topic in the NBA ever since he was drafted into the world's best basketball league. Entering the league at just 19 years of age, it was clear that Luka had what it takes to play on the highest level. Even though the expectations for the young Slovenian were very high, his game turned out to be better than anyone thought.
In fact, Luka is on the verge of becoming one of the best players NBA has ever seen, and he still has a long road ahead of him. With an average of 29 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game in his second season, the young player is taking the world by storm. He is also the current leader in triple-double games and a possible MVP candidate. But how did this basketball prodigy get to this level at such a young age?
The toughest Super Bowl to call
In case you haven’t noticed, there happens to be a not-too-small sporting event taking place in the very near future. No, we’re not talking about the Australian Tennis Open (although, it’s looking like a great tournament). We are, of course, talking about the 54thSuper Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers that is set to take place in Miami next weekend.
So who’s going to win? Who will be named the MVP? Can the Chiefs really end their 50-year drought? Before we answer that last question, let’s take a look at the Chiefs opponents, the 49ers.
If we take a look back at some of the 49ers' key moments en route to the Super Bowl, we'll see that they aren’t quite invincible. In the regular season, they lost to the Ravens, the Seahawks, and surprisingly enough, the Falcons.
Despite their losses, the 49ers have arguably been one of the most outstanding teams of the season. Now, that might sound like an obvious thing to say about a team that has just made it to the Super Bowl, but the truth is that there have been plenty of teams that have made it to the final despite playing poorly throughout the season. The 49ers are beatable, but they’ll take some beating.
In the Packers game, the 49ers’ Raheem Mostert played the game of his life. 220 yards and four touchdowns left the Packers second best throughout the game and, if anything, it’s an ominous sign for the Chiefs.
The team’s running game has been impeccable, ranking second for rushing yards and first in the league for touchdowns. And this offense will come up against a defense that is well-known for giving up space on the field despite their relative tight control of the game.
If the 49ers can bring their A-game in terms of offense, we fully expect them to rack up the points. Tevin Coleman dislocated his shoulder but hasn’t yet been ruled out of the game. We have a feeling that even if he doesn’t play, Mostert will be more than able to handle the pressure as he has already proven.
Caption - Can the Chiefs lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy?
Can you believe that the win over the Titans secured the Chiefs their first ever Lamar Hunt Trophy? It’s pretty incredible given that Hunt was the founder of both the Chiefs and the AFC. Once the excitement of that win died down, the reality of preparing for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1970 set in.
The Chiefs haven’t had quite the same experience this season as the 49ers. They are a backs-to-the-wall team that has snatched some miraculous wins from the jaws of defeat. They gave up a 24-point lead against the Texans and were up against it vs. the Titans when they went 10-0 down in the first quarter. Against lesser teams than the 49ers, they were able to come back by playing their air game but if they get a slow start in Miami, we’re not sure that will work this time around.
Even so, the Chiefs were the marginal favorites when both finalists were decided, but the odds seem to be changing and swinging in either team’s favor on an hourly basis. Coach Andy Reid may see this as his last opportunity to finally win the Lombardi and, if anyone deserves it, it’s the man who lost out as Eagles coach back in 2004.
It’s hard to look past a quarterback when it comes to the MVP. In fact, seven of the last ten MVPs at the Super Bowl have been quarterbacks. If this year is no different, then it’s a straight up contest between Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Both players are in amazing form though we get the feeling that, despite his new lease of life at the 49ers, Garoppolo needs to add an MVP and a ring as an active player to the two he won as a back-up if he wants to avoid becoming another Randall Cunningham. Mahomes, on the other hand, seems to be a man with the world at his feet. While Garoppolo has something to prove, his Chiefs counterpart has nothing to lose and everything to gain. It all depends on how the game pans out, of course.
However, this season could see a running back take the MVP. Raheem Mostert is improving with each game and if the Chiefs play to his strengths and make a quick start to the game, he just might be the most important player on the field. This is particularly true if Tevin Coleman fails to recover from his injuryand the onus is placed on Mostert to lead the line.
Aside from Mostert, we really can’t see anyone else pushing either quarterback for the MVP. Of course, you could punt for a linebacker in Nick Bosa, but we don’t expect it to be a game where the plaudits are won by the defensive units of either team.
It really is the toughest Super Bowl to call in recent memory. Both teams seem pretty evenly matched and have quarterbacks in good form. Neither team is unstoppable, but if we were to choose one team that will give up scores, it would be the Chiefs. The 49ers just seem like a more solid defensive side.
That point, however, is countered by the fact that the Chiefs have an incredibly fluid attack that is good in the air. But then the 49ers have Mostert. You see where we’re coming from when we say that this is too tough to call? In fairness, we’d like to see the Chiefs do it for Reid and the fact that it’s their first Super Bowl in 50 years, but again it’s too tough to call.
Either way, this has all the makings of a real classic. With both sides evenly matched we can see this being one of the most enjoyable Super Bowls for neutral fans in a very long time. Let’s hope it lives up to expectations.
There are less than six months until the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and the world is getting ready for the biggest sports event of the year. The excitement is building all over Tokyo, that worked hard in the past seven years to make everything possible. Thousands of athletes and hundreds of thousands of fans will make their way to the Land of the Rising Sun during the games.
Japan has done everything possible to make sure that the 2020 Olympics are up to standards. There's still a lot to be done with only six months until the opening ceremony, but so far, all of the preparations are going well. Everyone is doing their part, as there is no room for error or delays. Keep reading and learn everything we know about the Tokyo 2020 games so far.
Tokyo is a massive city with close to 30 million residents. It's a densely populated area, and organizing the biggest sports event in those circumstances comes with all kinds of challenges. Japan spent 7 years building 43 new venues for visitors from all over the world. Eight of them are permanent, ten are temporary, and 25 already existed. The preparations are in full swing and the new Olympic Stadium was opened on New Year's Day. It's fitted with state of the art equipment and should serve many more generations of athletes.
The Village Plaza was constructed for the games and it will be dismantled after the games are over. All of the materials will be returned to their donors, and the land will be re-used for new projects. The leaders of Japan and the city of Tokyo did an amazing job of planning the event. Housing so many visitors is a logistical nightmare, but if anyone can pull it off, it's Japan. So, if you're going to stay at one of these venues during the OG, you can relax after a day at the stadium with the best interactive sex gamesfor free.
The Olympic Games are the most popular sports event of the year, but the number of visitors fluctuates from year to year. Tokyo 2020 looks very promising so far. Over 8.2 million people from Japan have registered for their Tokyo ID. As the second phase of ticket sales comes to an end, the total ticket count comes down to 4.48 million tickets only in Japan. The third phase will include worldwide ticket sales, so make sure you get yours while you still can.
There's no doubt that Japan will go the extra mile when it comes to the Tokyo 2020 games. Hundreds of events held all over the country have attracted close to 140,000 initiatives and activities that will be taking place during the games. Over 98 million people will participate and contribute to the Tokyo Games.
It looks like the world is in for quite a spectacle later this year, and we can only imagine what's in store. Japan is known for many technological advancements and inventions, so we're hoping to see something special when the time comes. Speaking of modern technologies, give these 3d porn gamesa try and you won't regret it.
Believe it or not, the Olympic village for the Tokyo 2020 games needs over 26,000 beds for the athletes and their teams. That's a lot of beds, and Japan found the perfect way of getting them. Instead of buying them, they designed special beds made entirely of renewable materials. The mattresses are made to the highest standards, and they offer amazing quality and comfort, while the frames are made from durable cardboard. All of the beds will be recycled when the games are over.
Venues across the city probably won't come with recyclable beds, so be careful where you point your gun while playing the Red Dead Redemption porn game.
The 32nd Olympic Games will take place in Japan later this year, but you can already feel the excitement all over the globe. Japan is an exotic country for most people and the culture shock is surely going to shake millions of visitors on every corner.
It doesn't really matter if you're a sports fan or not, the Olympic Games are a special event watched by billions of people worldwide. We can't wait to see our favorite athletes and cheer for our nation's teams. There are just a few more months to go!
While it’s true that many of the world’s biggest wrestlers from WWE have enjoyed celebrity status too, many have gone on to achieve A-list fame far quicker away from the wrestling ring than those who remain in it. You only have to look at ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnsonand Dave Bautista, whose Hollywood careers have set them up for long-term stardom. Many years before The Rock, Hulk Hogan was the wrestler on everyone’s lips, appearing in commercials and movies too in a bid to enhance his profile – with clothes on as opposed to solely pants!
Back to the Roman Empire, once some people realized just how exciting and thrilling gladiatorial battles could be, it soon became an absolute free-for-all of locals looking to sign up and become the next unbeatable gladiator, agreeing contracts voluntarily and even spending time at so-called training schools to try and hone their fighting craft before being unleashed into the white heat of battle and fight for cash prizes. This changing demographic saw gladiators become less about the blood and gore and more about the pre-battle build-up and intense promotion of duels.
More recently, the world has developed an undeniable fascination with Roman gladiators and the lengths they would go to achieve notoriety in Ancient Rome. At the turn of the Millennium, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator movie, starring Russell Crowe as general Maximus Decimus Meridius, captured the imagination of millions of viewers at the box office. Heart-broken by the murder of his father by a young upstart named Commodus, who takes to the throne and forces Maximus into slavery, Maximus sees no other way to avenge his father’s death than to fight his way up that gladiatorial ranks. HBO’s Game of Thrones must surely have used gladiatorial arenas as inspiration for Meereen’s fighting pits too. The Spartacus Gladiator video slot, that’s available to sample at VegasSlotsOnline, was another release inspired by a gladiator who led the major slave uprising against the Roman Republic.
After the NFL’s 100th regular season, we now know the Kansas City Chiefs will face the San Francisco 49ers for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LIV.
The Chiefs were the first team to book their spot in that game as they overcame the Tennessee Titans 35-24. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes shone for the number two seed, scoring three touchdowns and throwing for 294 yards. Just like the Divisional Round against the Houston Texans, the Chiefs got off to a slow start at Arrowhead. Once they got going though, the Titans were unable to handle the hosts who are into the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years.
This will be head coach Andy Reid’s first shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy since he took over the franchise in 2013. He fell just one game short 12 months ago when the New England Patriots defeated them 37-31 in a classic encounter.
2018 NFL MVP Mahomes will be making his Super Bowl debut. Although he didn’t quite match the same numbers he put up in 2018, it was still an impressive year for the QB. He inspired his team to victory in their last six matches of the season to secure the number two seed in the AFC Championship.
The Chiefs were many people’s pick to win the AFC Championship, including with the WSN Podcast team, who also took them to cover the 7.5 point spread. They have opened up as the favorites with the bookmakers in the Super Bowl market.
San Francisco 49ers go into Super Bowl LV one short of the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to record number of wins in the game.
It has been some turnaround for the west coast franchise as they won just four games in 2018, with Jimmy Garoppolo's ACL injury playing a large part in that. Some smart draft picks, trades and excellent coaching have helped them transform into one of the best teams in the NFL.
Victories over divisional rivals Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in week 16 and 17 respectively ensured that Kyle Shanahan’s team wrapped up the number one seed in the NFC Conference.
The 49ers took full advantage of playing in front of their home fans at the Levi’s Stadium when they beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-10 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Their freshness from having a week off in the Wildcard Round showed in the fourth quarter.
The NFC West champions then proved too strong for the Green Bay Packers to lift the NFC Championship title. They got off to a flying start in that game as they led 27-0 at halftime before going on to complete a 37-20 victory.
San Francisco have run the ball very well in the postseason so far - Raheem Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers. Shanahan is likely to stick to that winning formula in the Super Bowl, while he also has one of the best defenses in the league to lean on in his attempt to stop the Chiefs.
It looks set to be an exciting showdown in Miami between two very good football teams.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.
Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential. In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher. In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.
Last time, we looked at the Vezina Trophy in the NHL. This time, we go back to the gridiron with the NFL AP MVP.
The award got off to a rocky start. From 1957 to 1960, as it was disputed as the pre-1961 winners winning a Most Outstanding Player Award, and sources show multiple winners. In the years between 1958 to 1960. For our purposes, we will use the single names, as shown by Pro Football Reference. In 1961, the AP MVP was clear, presenting a specific MVP Award, thus negating any confusion.
So how many MVPs have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the NFL AP MVP who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (1957)
Hard to start with a better player isn’t it? This was Brown’s rookie year, and the product of Syracuse shot right out of the gate leading the NFL in Rushing Yards (942), Rushing Touchdowns (9), and Touchdowns (10), which was a precursor of the greatness to come. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (2) (1958)
The rookie season of Jim Brown was really good, but his sophomore season was groundbreaking. The Running Back shattered the Rushing Yards mark with 1,527 (Steve Van Buren rushed for 1,146 in 1949) and his 17 Rushing Touchdowns were staggering for the era. This would be the first of five seasons where he would lead the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage. Brown would also win the UPI MVP and NEA MVP this season. It took only two years for us to have our first repeat winner. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1959)
Johnny Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship, and in his fourth season in the NFL, he would take his team to back-to-back titles. This year, “Johnny U” led the NFL in Completions (193), Passing Yards (2,899), Touchdown Passes (32), and he was a First Team All-Pro for the second time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (1960)
Norm Van Brocklin was a grizzled veteran by this time, as he played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 to 1957, and he joined the Eagles in 1958. A Champion with the Rams in 1951, the 1960 campaign would see him go 10-2, with 2,471 Yards, and 24 Touchdowns. In what was his ninth Pro Bowl, he would go to his first and only First Team All-Pro, while also leading the Eagles to the NFL Championship. This was his last year as a player, as he hoped to be named the team’s head coach after. That didn’t happen, but he would take over as the HC for the Minnesota Vikings. Van Brocklin retired with a record of 61-36-4 with 23,611 Yards and 173 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers, Halfback & Kicker (1961)
A former Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame, Paul Hornung played his entire with the Green Bay Packers, and in 1960, he rushed for 597 Yards. The Packers would also win the NFL Championship that year, and he was also rewarded with the Bert Bell Award. Hornung played until 1966, and won three more titles with Green Bay. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers, Fullback (1962)
The MVP year of Jim Taylor made him the second straight Green Bay Packer to win the AP MVP. The Fullback led the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,474), Rushing Touchdowns (19), and he was on the third of five straight Pro Bowls. The Packers would win the NFL Championship and he would win four in total. Taylor played until 1967 (his final year was in New Orleans), and he would accumulate 8,597 Rushing Yards with 81 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.
Y.A. Tittle, New York Giants, Quarterback (1963)
In the 1950s, Y.A. Tittle was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the San Francisco 49ers, and at the age of 34 in 1961, he was traded to the New York Giants. There were many who thought he was washed up, but instead the next three seasons would see Tittle secure himself as a Hall of Famer. A Pro Bowler in 1961, and 1962, Tittle would have the best year of his life in 1963, where he would lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (60.2), Touchdown Passes (36), Quarterback Rating (104.8), and threw for 3,145 Yards. He only played one more season, and after getting hurt in the second game, he was ineffective and followed his best year with his worst. Overall, Tittle threw for 33,070 Yards and 242 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (2) (1964)
This season, Unitas took his team to the NFL Championship, though they would fall to the Cleveland Browns in an upset. Regardless, this was a stellar regular season for the “Golden Arm”, as Unitas was chosen for his third First Team All-Prom and he threw for 19 TDs against only 6 Interceptions. Unitas also went 12-2 with 2,824 Yards. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (3) (1965)
After his second win, Brown remained the elite running back in football. In 1963, he had his best season with a record setting a new record with 1,863 Rushing Yards. He didn’t win the AP MVP, but did win the UPI MVP, NEA MVP and Bert Bell Award. 1965 would be Brown’s last season in the NFL, as he would abruptly retire, and pursue a career in acting. Brown remains the only player to win the MVP in his first and final year in the NFL. He was a Pro Bowl in all of his nine years, and a First Team All-Pro in eight of them. This win also made him the first player to win the AP MVP three times. Brown also won the Rushing Title in eight of those years. He left the game as the first player to rush for 10,000 Yards, was the all-time leader in Rushing Yards (12,312), Rushing Touchdowns (106), Touchdowns (126), and All-Purpose Yards (15,549). While those numbers have since been broken, he did retire at the top of his game, and many still consider him he be the greatest Running Back of all-time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1966)
Joining the Green Bay Packers in 1956, Bart Starr would evolve into one of the best Quarterbacks of the game, and he would lead his star-laden team to NFL Championships in 1961, 1962 & 1965. In 1966, he would lead the NFL in Pass Completion (62.2), and had a TD-INT rate of 14-3. He would take the Packers to another NFL Championship, and they would soundly defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I. How fitting is it that the QB of the first Super Bowl is also the first MVP in the Super Bowl Era? Starr won his fifth NFL Championship and second Super Bowl the season after, and he retired in 1971, in a career spent entirely in the “Frozen Tundra”. He would have 24,718 Passing Yard with 152 TDs over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (3) (1967)
Arguably, this is the last great season of Unitas’s career, who would play until 1973, with one forgettable year in San Diego. 1967 saw him go to his tenth Pro Bowl and fifth First Team All-Pro, both of which would be his last. Unitas threw for 20 Touchdowns and 3,428 Yards, and for the first and only time in his career, he led the NFL in Completion Percentage (58.5). When he retired, he had a record of 118-63-4, 40,239 Passing Yards and 290 Touchdowns. He is a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, 75thAnniversary Team and 100thAnniversary Team. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive Tackle(1971)
A member of the famed “Purple People Eaters” Defense of the Vikings in the 1970s, Alan Page was the first defensive player and the first Minnesota Viking to win the AP MVP. This year, Page was chosen for his third straight First Team All-Pro, but was also in his third consecutive season where he would lead the NFL in Approximate Value. He would also be named the Defensive Player of the Year. Page would go on to be named to three more First Team All-Pros, and he would overall go to nine Pro Bowls. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1973)
In 1973, O.J. Simpson would become the first Running Back to rush for the elusive 2,000 Rushing Yards mark, when he finished with 2,003. Needless to say, that led the NFL, as did his 12 Rushing Touchdowns and 2,073 All-Purpose Yards. He would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award that year. Simpson was in year two of his five-year run of First Team All-Pros, where he would win the Rushing Title in four of those years. Simpson played until 1979, and would have 11,236 Rushing Yards with 108 total Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (1974)
“The Snake”, Ken Stabler, would be in chosen for his second of four Pro Bowls this year, and he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (26) with 2,469 Yards. Stabler would play football until 1984, and would take the Raiders to a win in Super Bowl XI. Overall, Stabler would throw for 27,938 Yards for 194 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback(1975)
The best scrambling Quarterback of the 1970s, Fran Tarkenton would lead the NFL in Completions (273) and Touchdown Passes (25) with 2,994 Yards. He would also win the Bert Bell Award this year. This was his eighth of nine Pro Bowl Selections, and he would finish his career with 47,003 Yards and 342 Touchdowns, while also rushing for 3,674 Yards and another 32 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Walter Payton, Chicago Bears, Running Back (1977)
Walter Payton played his entire career with the Chicago Bears, and he would become one of the best Running Backs that the game ever saw. 1977, was his third season, and this year he would have personal highs with 1,852 Rushing Yards 1n 14 Rushing Touchdowns, both of which would lead the NFL. Payton also led the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,121. This would be the second of five First Team All-Pros for “Sweetness” who also was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He would later win the Super Bowl with the Super Bowl Shuffle winning team, and he would retire in 1987 as the all-time leading rusher with 16,727 Yards. He would also have another 4,538 Receiving Yards with 125 total Touchdowns. Payton was so regarded for his philanthropy that he Man of the Year Award was renamed the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback (1978)
You win a lot of games when you have as good a defense as Terry Bradshaw had with the Steel Curtain, but don’t mistake that for the Quarterback not doing his fair share. Playing his entire career (1970-83) with Pittsburgh, Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, with 1978 being his third. This season, he would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (28) with 2,915 Passing Yards. He retired in 1983 with 27,989 Passing Yards and 212 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (1979)
Coming out of the University of Texas, Earl Campbell was the best Running Back in the first three years of his NFL career, all of which seeing him win the Rushing Title and Offensive Player of the Year. 1979 was the second of those seasons, and in addition to leading the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,697) and also first in Rushing Touchdowns (19). He also won the Bert Bell Award. Campbell would play until 1985 and would have 10,213 Yards from Scrimmage with 74 Touchdowns over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1984)
Playing his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, this was the second season that Dan Marino was in the NFL. This year, he shattered the Passing Yards record with 5,084, making him the first QB to hit the 5,000 mark. He also threw for 48 Touchdowns, destroying Y.A. Tittle’s 36 in 1963. Marino was also first in Quarterback rating (108.9), Approximate Value (21), and Completions (362). The Dolphin pivot would lead the NFL in Passing Yards four more times, and after he retired in 1999, he would have 61,361 Yards with 420 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders, Running Back (1985)
Already a Super Bowl Champion two years before, Marcus Allen’s 1985 season was the best of his life. The former USC Running Back would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,759) and Yards from Scrimmage (2,314), and he had 14 Touchdowns. Allen played for the Raiders until 1992, and he would then join the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played until he retired in 1997. Allen ended his career with 12,243 Rushing Touchdowns, 5,411 Passing Yards, 144 total Touchdowns and six Pro Bowls. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (1986)
Arguably the greatest Linebacker of all time, Lawrence Taylor debuted in 1981, where he began a six-year streak of First Team All-Pro Selections. This season, Taylor would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks (20.5) and won his third Defensive Player of the Year Award. Taylor also won the Bert Bell Award. He would take the Giants to a Super Bowl win this year, and again four years later. Taylor played his entire career with the Giants, and would play in 10 Pro Bowls and recorded 132.5 Sacks over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
John Elway, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (1987)
John Elway was a great Quarterback, but this was a bit of a curious selection, as he lost the First Team All-Pro to Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers. Elway took the Broncos to the Super Bowl (they lost to Washington) and he threw for 3,198 Passing Yards and 19 Touchdowns. He would have better seasons than this, though he was a Pro Bowler this year, which was his second of what would be nine. He would finally win his Super Bowls in the 1997 and 1998 season, and he retired after with 5,1475 Passing Yards, 300 Touchdown Passes and 33 Rushing Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1989)
You would have thought that Joe Montana would have won an MVP by now considering that prior to 1989, he had already won three Super Bowls with five Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro. “Joe Cool” also had already led the NFL in Touchdown passes twice and Completion Percentage four times. This year, Montana would win his fourth Super Bowl, was again a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl, and he again led the league in Completion Percentage (70.2). Montana also threw for 3,521 Passing Yards and 26 TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (2) (1990)
While the Niners did not win the Super Bowl this year, Montana still had a great season and took San Francisco deep into the playoffs. The Quarterback would go 14-1 with 3,944 Passing Yards and 26 TDs. He missed the entire 1991 season due to an elbow injury, and Steve Young was anointed his successor. He played two final seasons in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs, and retired in 1994. He left the game with 40,551 Passing Yards and 273 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1991)
Along with Jim Kelly and Andre Reed, Thurman Thomas and the Buffalo Bills won four straight AFC Championships, with 1991 being in the middle of it. From 1989 to 1992, Thomas would annually lead the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage, this year seeing the Running Back gain 2,038 with 12 Touchdowns. He played with Buffalo until 1999, with one final season spent in Miami. Thomas retired with 12,074 Rushing Yards, 4,458 Receiving Yards and 88 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1992)
While Steve Young was the starting Quarterback for the 49ers in 1991, 1992 was the year where he proved he should be. Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (66.7), Touchdown Passes (25) and Quarterback Rating (107.0), and would go to his first of seven straight Pro Bowls. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys, Running Back (1993)
Emmitt Smith and the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl the year before, and in 1993 he won his third straight Rushing Title with 1,486 Yards. Smith was also first in Yards from Scrimmage (1,900) and he also won the Bert Bell Award. Dallas would win the Super Bowl with Smith winning the Super Bowl MVP. Smith would be named to the next two First Team All-Pros and secured a third Super Bowl ring two later, which coincided with his fourth Rushing Title. The Running Back played for Dallas until 2002, and had two final seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before he called it a career in 2004. He retired with 18,355 Rushing Yards and 164 Rushing Touchdowns, which makes him first all-time. Smith is also second all-time in All-Purpose Yards with 21,579. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (2)(1994)
In 1993, Young was again a First Team All-Pro, and his third would be this season. Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (70.3), 35 Passing Touchdowns and QB Rating (112.8). Young would also lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl win this year. He would have three more seasons where he finished first in Completion Percentage, one more in Touchdown Passes, and two more in QB Rating. Young played until 1999, and retired with 33,124 Passing Yards, 232 Touchdown Passes, 4,239 Rushing Yards and 43 Rushing TDs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1995)
After four attempts (with no completions) for the Atlanta Falcons in 1992, Brett Favre joined the Green Bay Packers where he went to the Pro Bowl in both 1992 and 1993. In 1995, “The Gunslinger” earned his third Pro Bowl, his first First Team All-Pro, and he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards (4,413), Touchdown Passes (38), and he also won the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (2), Quarterback(1996)
Favre had another phenomenal year where he went to Pro Bowl number four, First Team All-Pro number two, and again won the MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Statistically, he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (39) with 3,899 Passing Yards, and he would lead the Packers to a Super Bowl win. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (3), Quarterback(1997)
Favre became the first player to win the AP MVP for the third straight season and he earned his fifth Pro Bowl and third First Team All-Pro. The Quarterback again led the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 35 and had 3,867 Yards, and Green Bay would again return to the Super Bowl, though this time they would lose to the Denver Broncos. Favre would have four more Pro Bowls with Green Bay, one with the Jets, and one with the Vikings and retired in 2010. He would finish his career with 71,838 Passing Yards and 508 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (1998)
Barry Sanders played his entire career with the Detroit Lions, debuting in 1989, where he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and was a First Team All-Pro. Sanders would also win the Bert Bell Award, and was the 1994 Offensive Player of the Year. In 1997, he would again win that award, but would also capture the AP MVP and his second Bert Bell Award. In 1997, Sanders won his fourth Rushing Title with a career-high 2,053 Rushing Yards. He also rushed for 11 Touchdowns, and was first overall in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,358. Sanders played one more season, retiring in his prime at 30, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his years in the NFL. He ended his career with 15,269 Rushing Yards, 2,921 Receiving Yards and 109 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos, Running Back (1998)
From 1996 to 1998, Terrell Davis was a First Team All-Pro Selection, and this was his best year of them all. T.D. anchored Denver to a Super Bowl win the year before, and would do so again this season where he won the Super Bowl MVP. In the regular season, he won the Rushing Title with 2,008 Yards and led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns with 21. Davis would suffer a torn ACL and MCL the year after, and he was limited after that, retiring in 2001 with 7,607 career Rushing Yards. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback (1999)
1999 was the improbable season ever for a Quarterback. Kurt Warner went from Northern Iowa to bagging groceries to the Arena League and then to the NFL, where he won the back-up job to Trent Green, which in itself was a huge accomplishment. Green would be injured in the preseason, and Warner was the starting QB, and he made the most of his opportunity. The leader of the “Greatest Show on Turf”, Warner would throw for 4,353 Yards and lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (65.1), Touchdown Passes (41) and Quarterback Rating (109.2). Warner would then lead the Rams to a Super Bowl Championship. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (2000)
Sandwiched between Kurt Warner’s MVPs was his Running Back, Marshall Faulk. Faulk was with the Indianapolis Colts for the first five years of his career where he would go to three Pro Bowls and was the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Faulk joined the Rams in 1999, and he helped Warner and the Rams win the Super Bowl and was the Offensive Player of the Year. In his 2000 MVP season, Faulk led the NFL with 18 Rushing Touchdowns, 26 Total Touchdowns and had 2,189 Yards from Scrimmage. 2001 would see Faulk win the Bert Bell Award and the Offensive Player of the Year. He played until 2005, accumulating six Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros, 12,279 Rushing Yards, 6,875 Passing Yards and 136 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback (2) (2001)
While Warner and the Rams did not win the Super Bowl, Warner had the best regular season of his career where he led the NFL in Completions (375), Completion Percentage (68.7), Passing Yards (4,830), Touchdown Passes (36) and Passer Rating (101.4). He would later play one year for the Giants and five seasons for Arizona to close out his career in 2009. He retired with 32,344 Passing Yards, 208 TDs, and the best story in sports. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, Running Back (2006)
Debuting in 2001, Tomlinson would have 1,236 Rushing Yards, which would be the least he would have until 2008. In his MVP season, he would win his fourth of five Pro Bowls, second of three First Team All-Pro, and his first of two Rushing Titles with 1,815. He would also lead the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (28) and Touchdowns (31). Tomlinson also won the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Bert Bell Award, Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year. Damn, what a season! Tomlinson played with the Chargers until 2009, and he would have two final seasons in football with the New York Jets. His career ended with 13,684 Rushing Touchdowns, 4,772 Receiving Touchdowns and 153 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
The following are the players who have won the NFL AP MVP in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Earl Morrall, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1968)
Earl Morrall had one of the most inconsistent careers of any Quarterback, or for that matter any NFL player. In 1968, he had been in the NFL for a dozen seasons and had stops in San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit and New York. Some seasons, he was a starter, some he was a backup, and he was positioned in the latter role, to play off the bench to Johnny Unitas. Morrall would wind up taking over for Unitas, when he was injured in the last pre-season game, and Morrall responded with the best year of his career. The Colts Quarterback would win 13 Games, and he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 26, and he also had 2,909 Passing Yards. Morrall took the Colts to Super Bowl III, but he had a bad game and they lost to the Joe Namath and the New York Jets. He would later play for the Miami Dolphins, again as a backup, but he would win two Super Bowl Rings in South Florida. He retired in 1976, after 21 seasons, and he threw for 161 Touchdowns and 20,809 Passing Yards. Eligible Since 1982. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams, Quarterback (1969)
The first Filipino-American star in football, Roman Gabriel was the number one pick in the 1963 Draft, but he did not become the permanent starting Quarterback for the Rams until 1966. He would ascend into the upper-tier of NFL pivots, and he went to the Pro Bowl each year from 1967 to 1969, and in ’69, he would lead the league in Touchdown Passes (24), and he also threw for 2,549 Yards. Gabriel would also win the Bert Bell Award this year. Gabriel would later join the Philadelphia Eagles, winning the Comeback Player of the Year in 1973. He played until 1977, and retired with 29,444 Passing Yards and 201 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.
John Brodie, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1970)
John Brodie was one of the game’s early gunslingers, and prior to 1970, he would he would lead the NFL in Passing yards in both 1965 and 1968. This season, he would do that for a third time with 2,941, and he was also first in Touchdown Passes with 24. Brodie played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers (1957-73) and he threw for 31,548 Yards and 214 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Brown, Washington Redskins, Running Back(1972)
In the first four years of Larry Brown’s career, he was one of the better Running Backs in the NFL. Brown, who had won the Rushing Title in 1970, would not do so in 1972, but would put up a career-high in Rushing Yards in 1972. That season, he also had another 473 Receiving Yards, and was first in the league in Yards From Scrimmage (1,689). Brown regressed after that, and he retired in 1975 with 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #160 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1976)
Bert Jones would have a nice career in the NFL, where he played for ten seasons, nine of which were in Baltimore. 1976 was his fourth season, and this would be his only Pro Bowl year. Jones had an 11-3 record with 24 TDs and a league-leading 3,104 Passing Yards. He played until 1982 and Jones would overall throw for 18,190 Yards and 124 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1988. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Brian Sipe, Cleveland Browns, Quarterback (1980)
Brian Sipe would play his entire 10-year career with the Browns, and it was in 1980, where he would go to his first and only Pro Bowl, which coincided with his MVP win. He would throw for 30 Touchdowns with only 14 Interceptions, with 4,132 Passing Yards. Sipe also led the NFL in Quarterback Rating (91.4). He retired after 1983 with 23,713 Passing Yards and 154 Touchdown Passes. Eligible Since 1989. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1981)
Ken Anderson is considered by most Bengals fans to be the most important player in franchise history, and the biggest Hall of Fame snub. Anderson spent his entire career with the Bengals (1971-86) and in 1981, he would go to his third of four Pro Bowls and took Cincinnati to their first Super Bowl. In the regular season, Anderson threw for 29 Touchdowns and 3,754 Yards. He played until1986, and retired with 32,838 Yards with 197 TDs. Eligible Since 1982. Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mark Moseley, Washington Redskins, Place Kicker (1982)
Perhaps the unlikeliest AP MVP, Place Kicker, Mark Mosely, accomplished this feat in the strike-shortened 1982 season, making him the first Special Teams player to win this award. This year, Moseley set a then record with a 95.2 Field Goal Percentage, and would kick two Field Goals in the Redskins Super Bowl win that year. Mosely played from 1970 to 1986, and is still the all-time leader in Points in the history of the Redskins’ franchise. Eligible Since 1992. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins, Quarterback (1983)
It took a long time for Joe Theismann to become a star Quarterback, as he had to start in the CFL, was a Punt Returner as an NFL rookie, and was a backup for three years before becoming the starter in 1978 for. The Washington Redskins. This season, Theismann threw for 3,714 Yards and 29 Touchdowns, and he would take Washington to their second straight Super Bowl, though this time they lost the big game. A gruesome leg injury at the hands of the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor would end his career, and Theismann retired with 25,206 Passing Yards and 160 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 1991. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1988)
Much like Ken Anderson did before him, Boomer Esiason would take the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl, but like Anderson, his Bengals lost to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers. Regardless, this was a good season for Boomer, who was also named the PFWA MVP this season. He threw for 3,572 Passing Yards with 28 Touchdowns, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (97.4). Esiason was named to his second of what would be four Pro Bowls, and he played until 1997 with stops in New York with the Jets and Arizona, before playing his final season with the Bengals. He retired with 37,920 Passing Yards with 247 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 2003. Ranked #86 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (2002)
This was year four of Rich Gannon’s four year run of Pro Bowls, and this season he would lead the NFL in Completions (418) and Passing Yards (4,689) while throwing for 26 Touchdowns. He would get hurt the following season, and only played one more year before retiring in 2004 with 28,743 Passing Yards with 180 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 2010. Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans, Quarterback (2003)
McNair’s career began in 1995 when the Titans were still in Houston. In 2003, he had his second Pro Bowl, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (100.4). He would throw for 24 Touchdowns and 3,215 Yards. McNair played until 2007, and would accumulate 31,304 Passing Yards with 174 TDs. He also had 3,590 Rushing Yards and punched 37 attempts in the end zone. Eligible Since 2013. Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks, Running Back (2005)
Alexander was a Pro Bowl for the third (and final) and he would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,880), Rushing Touchdowns (27), and Touchdowns (28). The Running Back also won the Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award. He would play with the Seahawks until 2007, and had one final year with the Redskins before retiring. He left the game with 9,453 Rushing Yards and 100 Rushing Touchdowns. Eligible Since 2014. Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Let’s update our tally, shall we?
|
Award in Question |
Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF |
Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF. |
|
NBA MVP |
100% |
100% |
|
NHL Norris |
90.5% |
96.4% |
|
NBA All Star Game MVP |
89.5% |
91.7% |
|
NHL Conn Smythe |
74.2% |
85.4% |
|
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year |
73.1% |
79.4% |
|
NFL AP MVP |
68.3% |
74.0% |
|
NHL Lady Byng |
63.8% |
76.0% |
|
NFL Defensive Player of the Year |
60.8% |
71.1% |
|
NFL Super Bowl MVP |
60.6% |
64.9% |
|
NBA Defensive Player of the Year |
58.3% |
56.5% |
|
NHL Vezina |
57.1% |
66.3% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
MLB MVP |
55.0% |
60.2% |
|
NFL Pro Bowl MVP |
52.3% |
54.8% |
|
MLB Lou Gehrig Award |
51.9% |
51.9% |
|
MLB Roberto Clemente Award |
47.4% |
47.4% |
|
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award |
44.4% |
55.4% |
|
MLB Babe Ruth Award |
37.0% |
39.3% |
|
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy |
33.3% |
36.7% |
|
MLB Hutch Award |
33.1% |
33.1% |
|
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
28.6% |
28.6% |
|
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy |
27.9% |
27.9% |
|
MLB Edgar Martinez Award |
26.7% |
17.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter) |
25.0% |
30.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop) |
23.5% |
52.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove |
21.7% |
36.8% |
|
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year |
20.6% |
20.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
20.0% |
22.5% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base) |
18.8% |
39.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop) |
18.2% |
35.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher) |
18.2% |
20.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base) |
16.7% |
32.7% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield) |
16.7% |
30.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield) |
15.7% |
25.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base) |
14.3% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base) |
13.6% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base) |
13.6% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year |
13.3% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher) |
10.3% |
15.2% |
|
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |
5.3% |
3.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
|
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year |
0.0% |
0.0% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the AP MVP in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2003)
Peyton Manning was in his sixth season in the NFL, and he would have his fourth Pro Bowl year. Manning would be named a First Team All-Pro for the first time, and he would lead the league in Completions (379), Completion Percentage (67.0), Passing Yards (4,267) and he would throw for 29 Touchdowns. Manning also won the NEA MVP and Bert Bell Award this season. He would co-win this award with Steve McNair Eligible in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2) (2004)
Peyton Manning went back-to-back, also securing a First Team All-Pro and a fifth Pro Bowl. Manning finished first in Touchdown Passes (49) and Quarterback Rating (121.1), and he threw for 4,557 Yards. In this season, Manning would also win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and the Bert Bell Award. Eligible in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (3) (2008)
In the years between his second and third MVP, Manning went to three Pro Bowls, another First Team All-Pro, and finally won the Super Bowl, where he was named the MVP of the game. This season, he again was a First Team All-Pro and would lead the NFL in QBR (78.3). The QB had 27 Touchdown Passes and 4,002 Yards. Manning would also win the PFWA MVP this year. Eligible in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (4) (2009)
Peyton Manning became the first four-time MVP, and this was the fifth year he was a First Team All-Pro. He threw for 4,500 Yards and 33 TDs this season. The Quarterback also won the PFWA MVP this year. Eligible in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (5)(2013)
It still seems strange to type Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco, and he would have a monster regular season with a league-leading 450 Completions, 5,477 Passing Yards, 55 Touchdown Passes and a 80.9 QBR. He would also capture the PFWA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Bert Bell Award this season. Manning played until 2015, and while he was not great, the Broncos defense allowed him to go on top as a Super Bowl Champion. He retired with 71,940 Passing Yards and 539 Passing Touchdowns. Eligible in 2021.
The following are the players who have won the AP MVP who are still active.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2007)
Tom Brady already won three Super Bowls (with two Super Bowl MVPs) before he secured his first AP MVP. This was the year of the bittersweet season where the Pats entered the Super Bowl undefeated, only to lose to Eli Manning and the New York Giants. Still, it was an incredible year, where the Patriots’ Quarterback led the league in Completion Percentage (68.9), Passing Yards (4,806), Touchdown Passes (50), Passer Rating (117.2) and QBR (88.5). Brady also would win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Bert Bell Award and Offensive Player of the Year this season. 42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2) (2010)
Brady would again lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 36, and was first in Passer Rating (111.0) and QBR (78.3). He would also throw for 3,900 Yards, and only had four Interceptions. This year Brady would also win the PFWA MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Award. 42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2011)
This was Aaron Rodgers’ seventh season in the NFL but only his fourth as the Packers starter. Rodgers won the Super Bowl the year before, and this season he would finish first in Passer Rating (122.5) and QBR (84.5), while throwing for 45 Touchdowns, and accumulating 4,643 Passing Yards. He would also win the PFWA MVP and Bert Bell Award. 36 Years Old, Playing for the Green Bay Packers.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2012)
Adrian Peterson would be named to four First Team All-Pro selections, this being his third. Peterson also won three Rushing Titles, with this season being the best one (and second), with him going for 2,097 Yards. The Minnesota Viking also finished first in All-Purpose Yards with 2,314, and he secured 13 Touchdowns this year. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2) (2014)
Rodgers had another phenomenal year where he had a TD-INT record of 38-5, and threw for 4,381 Yards. He would go to his fourth Pro Bowl this year, and also was named a First Team All-Pro for the second time. Rodgers also won the PFWA MVP this year. 36 Years Old, Playing for the Green Bay Packers.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, Quarterback (2015)
Cam Newton was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, and this season, in addition to his AP MVP, he also won the Bert Bell Award and was the Offensive Player of the Year. Stat wise, Newton threw for 35 Touchdowns, 3,837 Yards, and rushed for 636 Yards and 10 TDs. He took Carolina to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the Denver Broncos. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Panthers.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Quarterback (2016)
The first Atlanta Falcon to win the AP MVP, Matt Ryan would lead the NFL in Passer Rating (117.1) and QBR (79.4). He would also throw for 4,944 Yards with 38 Touchdowns. This year, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award. Ryan would take the Falcons to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the New England Patriots. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (3) (2017)
In between his second and third MVP, Brady won his fourth and fifth Super Bowl. Brady also captured the PFWA MVP this season. He would win his sixth Super Bowl the year after. This season, he was first in Passing Yards (4,577) with 32 Touchdown Passes. 42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback (2018)
After playing backup as a rookie, Patrick Mahomes took over the starting Quarterback job for the Chiefs and he instantly became one of the most exciting players in the NFL. Mahomes would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (50) and QBR (80.4), and he would throw for 5,097 Yards. This season, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and Bert Bell Award. 24 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.
This yielded a high percentage as expected, which considering how difficult it is to win the NFL AP, makes complete sense.
So, what is up next?
Normally, we bounce around, but we are going to buck tradition, and stay with something very familiar, the Bert Bell Award, the MVP presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.