I drink. I know things.
The more I drink, the smarter I feel, and rather than use this knowledge to solve climate change or the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, I choose instead to reflect on the pop culture of my youth.
With that I present to you my latest “10 Drunken Observations” column, which is today on the 1984 film, “Revenge of the Nerds”.
I was a kid when this first came out, so along with other college romp films, my view of what college life was severely skewed. Also, since I myself was a nerd, how could I not love this film, just on the title alone?
I did, I still do, but this film aged so badly.
Crack open a cold one, and here are my 10 Drunken Observations.
Following on from a successful Major League Baseball two-game series in June this year, Bill DeWitt III, president of the St Louis Cardinals, has expressed his optimism about the future of the league in London. When asked about the future of the games on November 11th, DeWitt commented that “I think the first step is games over there. This is the second year back. I think if you see significant enthusiasm again, which you should, MLB might extend [the London Series] into a regular thing.”
The Golden State Warriors were outshined by the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. Both in the media and on the NBA odds boards. With Kyrie gone –and a handful of others– the Celtics got ignored as well.
Let’s compare the two teams and have a look at their odds to win the NBA title as well as the Eastern and Western Conference Championships and determine if they are getting too much love or too much shade. And of course, who is more worthy of the probability and odds given – remember to check this Intertops review before getting into the futures action.
As of Monday, the Celtics are sitting just outside of the top-10 with regards to their offense. Boston is putting up 113.13 points per game and has managed to regain its status as one of the league’s elite defensive units. Currently, the Celtics are No. 5 in the league in points allowed at just 103.75 and are also No. 5 in the league in field goal percentage at 41.77. They are also in the top 10 – No. 8– in free throw percentage.
After losing their opening matchup loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, they have gone on a tear, smashing their way through the Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, NY Knicks twice, the Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs for seven straight wins.
On Monday they host the Dallas Mavericks and are coming in as -3.5 point favorites. So if you are to believe the odds, they will increase their run to an 8-game winning streak before Tuesday.
Even with Klay Thompson out for the foreseeable future, the Golden State Warriors started the season with decent odds to win the NBA title, albeit, behind the LA Clippers and LA Lakers. But the injury to Steph Curry has recently made the Golden State Warriors odds drop like a little kid holding a hot potato. Prior to the injury, the Warriors were around +1200 to win the Championship. However, now they have fallen to +5000 or 50 to 1. This is a huge drop.
Faith in the Warriors has fallen so hard that they are coming into their Monday matchup against the Utah Jazz as double-digit underdogs. This is a complete role reversal for the Dubs. Their season start is almost the exact opposite of the Celtics. GSW has only won two games so far this season and is on a three-game losing streak. Even without the brothers splash … the Warriors offense isn’t terrible. They rank No. 14 for scoring in the NBA and are the best free-throw shooting team in the league. But they have no defensive identity at the moment. The Warriors rank No. 29th overall on defense, mostly due to their horrible road performances. At home they only marginally improve, allowing 120 per game for the 26th worst home defense in the league. So, it’s clear that Curry and Thompson provide more than just offensive fire-power. They give the Dubs leadership and fantastic perimeter defense.
The Boston Celtics have taken the No. 6 spot on TeamRankings predictive power rankings. On the Las Vegas odds boards, they are No. 8 in line behind the Nuggets, Jazz, Rockets, Rockets, Sixers, Bucks, and both LAs.
The Warriors are in 12th place on the NBA odds boards but the predictive algorithms have the Warriors way back at 21st. This makes sense given the fact that their overall defense scoring statistic is No. 29 in the league. So, how do we reconcile the fact that they have the 12th best odds on the board? Well, they are Golden State and Curry will be back, perhaps in time for a run at the playoffs. If they get into the post-season, who knows what happens. Still, I feel they are massively overvalued at the moment. Meanwhile, the Celtics are right about where they should be. Perhaps a tad bit undervalued given the fact that they keep winning. That said, there is a lot of season left, and both of these teams have lot to prove over the next few months.
With the announcement of the Modern Era candidates for the Baseball Hall of Fame, it is now time for us to look at the upcoming ballot for the Baseball Writers, who will be voting for the Class of 2020.
What we know so far, is that there is no way that this will be an empty class. We have a sure-fire first ballot inductee in Derek Jeter, who with his 3,465 career Hits, a career Batting Average of .310 and five-time World Series Champion could become the second former player following Mariano Rivera, to receive a unanimous vote. Should that happen, it will mark a back-to-back of two former New York Yankees teammates earning that distinction.
Last year, Curt Schilling received 60.9% of the vote last year in a very strong field (especially for pitchers) says Paruk from SportsBettingDime.com. Less tainted by PEDS than the likes of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, Schilling should crack 75% if the outspoken Trump supporter doesn’t rub writers the wrong way in the next couple months.
As for Bonds and Clemens, they are both entering their eighth year of eligibility. What once was thought as an impossible mountain to climb, the two stars both approached 60% last year. While enshrinement this year seems unlikely, a continued rise could bode well for them in the next two years.
As for us, the one we are looking at the most is Larry Walker. The Canadian slugger seemed to have no chance for Cooperstown a year ago, but he rocketed from 34.1% to 54.6% last year, and with him facing his final year of eligibility, we could see the first player inducted with a Colorado Rockies cap.
One thing, we know for sure is that we will be paying attention!a
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.
After the last three focused on awards issued in the NFL, we are returning to the National Hockey League and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
This is a very unique award that does not necessarily reflect on-ice accomplishments. It was created to honor Bill Masterton of the Minnesota North Stars, who died on January 15, 1968 after sustaining an injury during a game. The Award is given to the player who best exemplifies the quality of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Each NHL team nominates one player from their team for the accolade.
Generally, the player who wins this award usually comes back from a serious injury or any other ailment that could be career-threatening.
So how many players have won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy have been enshrined to the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the Bill Masterton Memorial Award in the NHL who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers (1971)
Ratelle was one of the cleanest players in hockey and was also one of the classiest. This was like a lifetime achievement award, even though his career was only in the mid-way mark. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers (1972)
Considering Bobby Clarke was only 22 when he won this, it would not start a trend where young players would win the Masterton. In 1972, Clarke was a rising star and had overcome diabetes to play at a high level. He would become an elite player shortly after and also a three-time Hart Trophy winner and two-time Stanley Cup Champion. Clarke also became the first Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner who would also win the Hart at one time in his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Henri Richard, Montreal Canadiens (1974)
This was viewed as a bit of a lifetime achievement award for Henri Richard’s whose career was nearing the end. “The Pocket Rocket” would end up winning a whopping 11 Stanley Cups in a career spent entirely with Montreal. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers (1976)
Gilbert played his entire career with the Rangers and this was near the end of it. The forward scored 1,021 Points and he overcame a back injury early in his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Serge Savard, Montreal Canadiens (1979)
Serge Savard won his eight Stanley Cup with the Habs this year and he was also a Second Team All-Star this year, the only time he earned this honor. The Defenseman was the first Bill Masterton Memorial Award winner to be named a post season NHL All-Star. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Lanny McDonald, Calgary Flames (1983)
McDonald was one of the most popular players with fans and teammates alike and this was his greatest season in terms of stats. McDonald would score 66 Goals and 98 Points, both career-highs and he would be named a Second Team All-Star, which was the first time he earned a post season All-Star accolade. In his final season, he would win the Stanley Cup with the Flames. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Brad Park, Detroit Red Wings (1984)
This was Brad Park’s first season in Detroit, and his penultimate campaign in the NHL. He was one the more beloved players in the league, and was still a strong performer as he had 58 Points this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins (1993)
Choosing Mario Lemieux had to be the easiest decision in this award’s history. Lemieux came back to hockey after contracting Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and despite missing 22 Games, he would win the Hart Trophy. Ted Lindsay Award and Art Ross Trophy. No other player who won the Bill Masterton award has a year this good in the same campaign. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Cam Neely, Boston Bruins (1994)
Cam Neely had injury upon injury pile up and he only played 22 Games in 1991-92 and 1992-93 combined. He came during this year and scored 50 Goals, while only playing 49 Games and he would be named a Second Team All-Star. He would only be able to play 89 Games more in the NHL and he had to retire at the age of 30. Neely went down in history as one of the most popular Bruins players ever, which says a lot when you think of all the legends who wore the “B”. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Pat LaFontaine, Buffalo Sabres (1995)
In the year prior, Pat LaFontaine suffered a severe concussion and the post-concussion syndrome forced him to miss most of that season and this season. He returned to play 22 Games and scored 27 Points. LaFontaine would later suffer more concussions and would be forced to retire in 1998. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings (2003)
By this point in his career, Steve Yzerman had already won three Stanley Cups but he suffered a massive knee injury, and would have a knee realignment done. The Red Wing would come back to play 16 Games this year. Yzerman would play two more seasons and would score 1,755 Points in his Hall of Fame career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2006)
This was a true comeback year for Teemu Selanne in every sense of the word. Selanne recovered from knee surgery to have a 90 Point campaign, which was the first time he reached that plateau in seven years. Selanne would have a 94 point year the season after and would take the Ducks to win the Stanley Cup Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
The following are the players who have won the Bill Masterton Memorial Award in the NHL who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Claude Provost, Montreal Canadiens (1968)
Claude Provost was one of the best two-way players of his day, and in 1968, he was nearing the end of his career. This year, Provost had won his eighth of nine Stanley Cups, and he would play two more seasons in the NHL Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ted Hampson, Oakland Seals (1969)
After an injury riddled 1967-68 season, Oakland Seals’ Team Captain, Ted Hampson responded with the best year of his career with a 75 Point outage. He would later win the Paul Deneau Award in the WHA as that league’s most gentlemanly player. Hampson combined NHL/WHA career would see him accumulate 556 Points. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com
Pit Martin, Chicago Blackhawks (1970)
While Pit Martin was not the best player on the Chicago Blackhawks, he was the heartbeat of the team. Martin helped Chicago go from worst to first that year and he would score 63 Points as well post his first (of three) 30 Goal seasons. Ranked #126on Notinhalloffame.com.
Lowell McDonald, Pittsburgh Penguins (1973)
Lowell McDonald only played 10 Games in the year before due to severe cartilage damage to his knees. The 1972-73 Season campaign saw the Penguin score 75 Points, which was then a record for him. He would score 390 Points over 506 NHL Games. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com
Don Luce, Buffalo Sabres (1975)
This was the best season that Don Luce ever had as his 33 Goals and 76 Points were a career-high. Luce scored 526 Points over his career and he would finish in the top ten in Frank J. Selke Award three times. This was the only award that Luce would win. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com
Ed Westfall, New York Islanders (1977)
Westfall would win this award for being one of the great on-ice leaders of the game, and this occurred late in his career. Westfall won two Stanley Cups earlier with the Boston Bruins. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com
Butch Goring, Los Angeles Kings (1978)
Goring would win this based on carving out a successful NHL career despite being slight in stature. Goring would win the Lady Byng Trophy, making him the first Masterton winner to secure a second award in the same year. He would later join the New York Islanders and would win four Stanley Cups. Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Al MacAdam, Minnesota North Stars (1980)
MacAdam was a gritty player who in 1979-80 would post his best career numbers. That year he would 42 Goals, 51 Assists and 93 Points, all career-highs, as was his +36. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Blake Dunlop, St. Louis Blues (1981)
This was Dunlop’s breakout year, where had 67 Assists and 87 Points, both of which were career-highs. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Glenn Resch, Colorado Rockies (1982)
The Colorado Rockies of the NHL were never any good, but Glenn Resch brought them respectability. He had previously been a Second Team All-Star twice and a two-time Stanley Cup Champion with the New York Islanders. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Anders Hedberg, New York Rangers (1985)
Anders Hedberg became the first European to win this award and he was an initial trailblazer for showing the NHL that Swedish players could compete at an elite level in North America. This was Hedberg’s final season in the NHL, and he would score 51 Points, and 855 in the NHL and WHA combined. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Charlie Simmer, Boston Bruins (1986)
Charlie Simmer scored 60 Points this year and he remained a good NHL sniper despite having extensive ligament damage. He was a former two-time First Team All-Star and would put the puck in the net 342 times over his career. Ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com
Doug Jarvis, Hartford Whalers (1987)
This was a special season where Doug Jarvis would break the record of consecutive games of 915 Games. He would eventually play 964 Games in a row. Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com
Bob Bourne, Los Angeles Kings (1988)
This was the final season of Bob Bourne’s career, and 14thoverall. Bourne had previously won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and would score 582 Points overall. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Tim Kerr, Philadelphia Flyers (1989)
From 1983-84 to 1986-87, Tim Kerr was a 50 Goal scorer but in 1987-88, he was only able to play eight games due to knee and shoulder issues. He bounced back this season to score 48 Goals. Ranked #67 on Notinhalloffame.com
Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins (1990)
Gord Kluzak was the first overall draft pick in 1982, and for the first few years the blueliner was the shutdown blueliner they expected him to be. Sadly, he suffered knee injury after knee injury and in 1988-89 he was only able to play three Games. This year, he fought back, but knee surgeries held him to only eight games, but the fact that he played at all was bordered on miraculous. He played two more games and after his tenth knee surgery, he had to call it a career. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Dave Taylor, Los Angeles Kings (1991)
Dave Taylor spent all of his 17 years in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings. This was year 14. Taylor was one of the most respected players in hockey and he also won the King Clancy Award this year, making him the first to win both in the same season. Ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com
Mark Fitzpatrick, New York Islanders (1992)
Mark Fitzpatrick missed most of the previous campaign due to Eosinophilia-myalgia, a potentially fatal neural disease. He would come back to play 30 games in net for the Isles this year. He would play until the 1999-00 Season. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Gary Roberts, Calgary Flames (1996)
Gary Roberts would suffer nerve issues with his neck that caused him to miss most of the 1994-95 season and he was only able to play 35 Games this year. In what could have been a career ending injury, Roberts continued to play more than a decade more until he was 42. Ranked #74 on Notinhalloffame.com
Tony Granato, San Jose Sharks (1997)
Tony Granato would have a head injury in a game on January of 1996 that was so bad that he suffered bleeding in the left lobe of his brain. He would come back to hockey after brain surgery where the Shark would have a 40 Point campaign. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Jamie McLennan, St. Louis Blues (1998)
Jamie McLennan was playing for the New York Islanders and he would suffer from bacterial meningitis that would be life threatening. McLennan missed a lot of time and he would come back to the NHL with St. Louis where he played 30 Games with a 2.17 GAA. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
John Cullen, Tampa Bay Lightning (1999)
The career of John Cullen seemed to end when he contacted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1997. The Center had to sit out the 1997-98 season but he managed to come back to the NHL and was in four Games for the Lightning that year, before he would retire for good. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Kan Daneyko, New Jersey Devils (2000)
Ken Daneyko did not come back from an injury, but he did battle alcoholism, which likely kept him in the NHL. Daneyko had a long career in hockey, with all 20 seasons being served in a New Jersey Devils jersey. He would win three Stanley Cups over his career. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Adam Graves, New York Rangers (2001)
We have used the term “Lifetime Achievement Award” in relation to this particular accolade, and we will use it again for Adam Graves’ 2001 Masterton win. The Left Wing was a grizzled vet by this time and had previously won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994. Ranked #72 on Notinhalloffame.com
Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens (2002)
Saku Koivu was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in September before the season, and it was expected that he would miss the entire year. Koivu shocked everyone by returning with three games left in the year and he would also participate in the playoffs. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Brian Berard, Chicago Blackhawks (2004)
In 1997, Brian Berard was the Calder Trophy in 1997 and would later suffer an injury to his eye. Berard would be legally blind in one eye and he won this award due to his perseverance to continue to play. This season would see Berard score a career high 47 Points. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Jason Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs (2008)
Jason Blake would be diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia but would play the entire year. He would have 52 Points this campaign. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Steve Sullivan, Nashville Predators (2009)
After having a 60 Point year in 2006-07, Steve Sullivan would later have issues that would cause him to miss a year and parts of two others due to fragmented disc and groin issues. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals (2010)
Jose Theodore was a surprise winner of the Hart Trophy and Vezina in 2002, and this was his best year since that campaign. This year, Theodore had to deal with the death of his young son due to the complications of a premature birth. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Ian Laperriere, Philadelphia Flyers (2011)
In the 2010 playoffs, Laperriere blocked a shot with his face that resulted in post-concussion syndrome. He would not play this year, and for that matter ever again. This would make him the first player to win this after his career was technically over. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild (2013)
Josh Harding would come back after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the off-season, and would manage to play in five regular season games and the playoffs. Harding played in 29 Games the following season and he would lead the NHL in Save Percentage (.933) and Goals Against Average (1.66). That was the last year for Harding as he had a broken foot to begin the 2014-15 season, and after issues with his MS came up, he never played in the NHL again. Unranked 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% |
|
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% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
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 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in the National Hockey League who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Dominic Moore, New York Rangers, (2014)
Moore returned to the NHL after taking 18 months off to tend to his wife, Katie, who was battling a rare form of liver cancer. She would pass away in January of 2013. Moore returned to the league with the New York Rangers playing 73 Games. Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
The following are the players who have won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy who are still active.
Phil Kessel, Boston Bruins, (2007)
Phil Kessel became the first player to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy as a rookie. Kessel contracted testicular cancer, and missed 12 Games this year. He still managed to have a 29 Point year. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Coyotes.
Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens, (2012)
In the 2010-11 season, Max Pacioretty was knocked out of a game with a concussion and a fractured vertebra. He returned with his first 60 Point season. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Devan Dubynk, Minnesota Wild, (2015)
Devan Dubynk was carving out a decent career, though it was unremarkable. He had played 171 Games in net for the Edmonton Oilers and was traded to the Nashville Predators in 2014 but only played there for two Games. The Goalie signed with the Arizona Coyotes, where he played for 19 Games and had a 2.72 Goals Against Average, and was traded midseason to the Minnesota Wild. Dubynk then wet on fire, taking them to the playoffs, where he went 27-9-2 with a 1.78 GAA. He would be named an All-Star and was a Second Team All-Star that year. He has since gone to two more All-Stars with Minnesota. 33 Years Old, Playing for the Minnesota Wild.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, (2016)
How was Jaromir Jagr still playing in the NHL, and at a level where he scored 66 Points. How is that not showing off a dedication to hockey? 47 Years Old, Playing for HC Kladno in the Czech League.
Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators,(2017)
Anderson had a rough personal year as he had taken some time off mid-season, where he had tend to his wife who was diagnosed with cancer. He returned and took the Senators to a surprise conference Final. 38 Years Old, Playing for the Ottawa Senators.
Brian Boyle, New Jersey Devils,(2018)
Brian Boyle was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in training camp, which caused him to miss the start of the season. Boyle returned in November and had a 23 Point season. 35 Years Old, Playing for the Florida Panthers.
Robin Lehner, New York Islanders,(2019)
Robin Lehner went public in the off-season about his battles with alcoholism and bi-polar disorder. He came back with a career-high 2.13 Goals Against Average over 46 Games. He would also win the William M. Jennings Award, making him the first to do win the Jennings and Masterton in the same year. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
As you can see, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy does not go to the same person twice, and we don’t expect that will change in the future.
We will go back to the diamond and the most important individual award they have, the MVP.
As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!
Anybody who follows football at all knows that there is nothing quite as exciting as college football rivalries. The adrenaline is pumping not only for the teams playing, but also for the fans watching on the sidelines or at home. No matter which college team you root for when it comes time for those matches against your team’s all-time rivals, it is “game on.”
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.
Our focus now shifts towards the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award in the NFL. Relatively speaking, this is a new award, so there won’t be too many players to dissect here. How many of these winners made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
None.
The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Doug Flutie, Buffalo Bills, Quarterback (1998)
The first winner of this award did not come back from injury. He came back from Canada. Doug Flutie was the hero whose Hail Mary won the Orange Bowl for Boston College against Miami. The Quarterback was considered too short for the NFL and he would play in the USFL and Canada, though he would have stints in the NFL with Chicago and New England, though his run with the Patriots ended in 1989. A decade later, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills and at age 36, he would play in 13 Games and throw for 2,711 Yards, 20 Touchdowns and go to the Pro Bowl. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Bryant Young, San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Tackle (1999)
Bryant Young suffered a severe broken leg late in 1998 and a metal rod had to be placed to assist his healing. Young would return in 1999 with an 11.0 Sack season and a selection to the Pro Bowl. He would play until 2007 and would record 89.5 Sacks in total. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Johnson, New Orleans Saints, Defensive End(2000)
Joe Johnson was a Pro Bowler for the Saints in 1998, but a knee injury kept him out of the entire 1999 Season. The Defensive End would come back in 2000 with his second (and final) Pro Bowl Selection and he would have a career-high 12.0 Sacks this year. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 49ers, Running Back (2001)
Garrison Hearst rushed for over 1,500 Yards in 1998, but he had to sit out two years due to Avascular Necrosis. Many thought Hearst was done for good, but he returned in 2001 to the Niners and would rush for 1,206 Yards and go to his second (and final) Pro Bowl. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Tommy Maddox, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback(2002)
Tommy Maddox played in the NFL from 1992 to 1995 with three different teams but the backup saw limited action and actually left football. He came back in the Arena League in 2000, and then would be the MVP in the lone season of the XFL. That was enough to make him desirable to the NFL again and he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their backup. He would become their starter in 2002 and threw for 2,836 Yards and 20 TDs. He would play until 2005. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Jon Kitna, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (2003)
Jon Kitna was not coming back from injury or another league, but rather had one of the best years of his career. He would throw for 3,591 Yards and a career-high 26 Touchdowns. He played until 2011 and would overall throw for 29,745 Yards. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots, Linebacker(2005)
In 2004, Tedy Bruschi went to his first (and only) Pro Bowl. Shortly after the Pro Bowl Game, Bruschi suffered a minor stroke and partial paralysis. He announced that he would miss the 2005 season, but that wouldn’t be the case. The Linebacker returned in October and played nine Games for the Patriots that year. He would co-win this award Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Chad Pennington, New York Jets, Quarterback (2006)
In 2005, Chad Pennington suffered multiple injuries and was only able to play in three Games. 2006 was a much different season as he started all 16 Games for the Jets and would throw for 3,352 Yards and 17 Touchdowns. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys, Linebacker (2007)
A ruptured Achilles ended Ellis’ 2006 Season after nine games, and he would return in 2007 with his best year ever. Ellis would go to the Pro Bowl for the only time and he had a career-high 12.5 Sacks. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (2) (2008)
After winning this award in 2006, Pennington had a bad 2007 beset with injuries and poor play. He was released by the Jets (who had signed Brett Favre) and Pennington would join the Miami Dolphins as a Free Agent. He would take Miami to the Playoffs and would throw for a career-high of 3,653 Passing Yards. Sure enough, he would suffer shoulder problems and would only play four more games in his career. To date, Pennington is the only repeat winner of this award. Unrankedon 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% |
|
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% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
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% |
|
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 Comeback Player of the Year Award in the National Football League who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers, Wide Receiver (2005)
In the first game of the 2004 Season, Smith would break his leg and would be out for the season. He would return in 2005 and put forth the best season of his career with an NFL leading 103 Receptions, 1,563 Receiving Yards, and 12 Receiving Touchdowns. He would be named a First Team All-Pro this year. Smith was the co-winner of this award with Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots. Smith is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.
Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2010)
Due to his involvement in a dog fighting ring, Michael Vick was suspended for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, most of which was spent while incarcerated. The Quarterback would return in 2009 to the Philadelphia Eagles as Donovan McNabb’s backup and in 2010 he began the year backing up Kevin Kolb. Vick won the starting job after Kolb was knocked out with a concussion and he would go on to have an excellent season. He would throw for 3,018 Yards with 21 Touchdowns and would rush for another 676 Yards and 9 Touchdowns. He would go to his fourth Pro Bowl and was also named the Bert Bell Award winner. Vick is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (2012)
Who else could it be? Peyton Manning missed the entire 2011 campaign due to neck surgery and the Colts gad drafted Andrew Luck to replace him. Manning would sign with the Denver Broncos and picked up right where he left off. Named a First Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler, Manning threw for 4,659 Yards and 37 Touchdowns. He is the first player to be named a First Team All-Pro while winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year. Manning is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Rob Gronkowski, Denver Broncos, Tight End (2014)
Ron Gronkowski was the first Tight End to win he AP Comeback Player of the Year Award and the New England Patriot recovered incredibly from a torn ACL and MCL from December of the year previous. “Gronk” would be named a First Team All-Pro, win the Super Bowl and would secure 82 catches for 1,124 Yards and 12 Touchdowns. Gronkowski is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers, Wide Receiver(2016)
Jordy Nelson was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2014 but would have to sit out 2015 due to a torn ACL. Nelson returned in 2016 to record 1,257 Receiving Yards and an NFL leading 14 Touchdown Receptions. Nelson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2018)
Andrew Luck had to sit out the entire 2017 season due to issues with his throwing shoulder and he returned in 2018 to secure his fourth Pro Bowl. He would throw for 4,593 Yards and 39 Touchdowns Luck would shockingly retire during the 2019 training camp. Nelson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.
The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award who are still active.
Drew Brees, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (2004)
It is hard to believe now, but Drew Brees was struggling to keep his starting Quarterback job in 2003 when he was with the San Diego Chargers. This was his rebound year as he was holding off the 1stRound Pick, Philip Rivers from taking his job. In 2003, Brees would throw for 3,159 Yards and 27 Touchdowns. He would be named to his first Pro Bowl. 40 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2009)
Tom Brady only played in one game in 2008 due to a torn ACL and MCL. He returned to the exact form you would expect throwing for 4,398 Yards and 28 Touchdowns and going to his fifth Pro Bowl. 42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Quarterback (2011)
An injured shoulder limited Matthew Stafford to only three games in 2010, but he returned in 2011 and threw for 5,038 Yards and 41 Touchdowns, both of which are career-highs as of this writing. 31 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Lions.
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (2013)
Philip Rivers performed well in 2012 but the perception was not that it was not good enough. In 2013, he did better than the year before with an NFL leading 69.5 Completion Percentage. He would also throw for 4,478 Yards and 32 Touchdowns. 38 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs, Strong Safety (2015)
Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014 after having been named to the Pro Bowl three times. Berry returned as a First Team All-Pro and recorded 77 Tackles for the Chiefs in 2015. 31 Years Old, Currently a Free Agent.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers, Wide Receiver (2017)
In the 2016 season opener, Keenan Allen suffered a torn ACL and would miss the rest of the year. The Wide Receiver would return to have what is his best year to date. Allen would made his first Pro Bowl and post a career-high 1,393 Receiving Yards. 27 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.
For the first time we have an award that has generated NO Hall of Famers, but this won’t always be the case with Manning, Brees and Brady as Hall of Fame locks.
We are going to back to the NHL and look at the Bill Masterton Award.
As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!
Welcome to a new feature on Notinhalloffame.com, where I, the Committee Chairman come up with random pop culture lists of drunken ramblings.
This is the kind of useless tripe that I excel at, though it did nothing to help me with high school English Class, nor did it impress any of the ladies, but as a middle-aged married guy, who still consumes alcoholic beverages that rivals anyone on Celebrity Rehab, I can say with full Joe Walsh meaning that “Life’s Been Good To Me So Far”.
After my M*A*S*H nonsense, I am going to switch over to the animated world and focus on the Smurfs. Roughly twenty-five years ago (damn, I’m old) I came up with the realization that those blue creatures had red tendencies as they were clearly Communists. I told that someone who I worked with, and he said, “Oh, you saw that online too?”
This was the internet’s early days, and I hadn’t saw that. Since that time, I have seen others who came up with the same conclusion. Basically, this was my long-winded caveat of saying that I apologize if I am not exactly breaking new ground, but in my defense, everything I am about to barf out now were my initial observations.
Without further ado, here are my ten drunken observations on how the Smurfs were commies.
1.All Smurfs lived in the same size mushroom house as everyone else. You have all seen mushrooms! You may think I am under a mushroom-like influence right now, but I swear it is only hops and barley. Mushrooms come in different sizes, but they had to find the one field where every one is the same size so nobody felt bitter about having a smaller house? Some of those Smurfs deserved bigger houses. Handy Smurf did all the work in designing those homes but he didn’t even create a basement in his own house, when surely, he could. Every house had to be equal, regardless of what you contributed to the society, so a load like Lazy Smurf, who did absolutely nothing gets the same reward as a superstar like Handy.
Sounds like Communism to me.
Brainy Smurf had a lot of inventions, but many of his plans backfired leading one to question how smart he was in the first place. Because, he was diagnosed as nearsighted early in life and had to wear glasses, he just adopted what was expected of him and he read a lot. Jokey Smurf had only one joke; the exploding box. He wasn’t funny at all! But, he had the distinct laugh, so it was decided for him that he was the prankster of the bunch, which sucked for the rest of the Smurfs, because he couldn’t make any of them laugh! Clumsy Smurf’s job was only to be a clutz. He might not be the most co-ordinated Smurf, but when you are told that all of your life it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If one of the other Smurfs helped him out and got him a hat that wasn’t one size too big, he might see better and not trip so much. They can’t do that, because that is what Clumsy is supposed to be, and changing his role, changes the society. Lazy Smurf got the best end of the deal. They expected him to do shit and he gets an equal share of everything.
Maybe it was Grouchy Smurf, because he was allowed to be an asshole and nobody begrudged him for it.
Sounds like Communism to me.
Sounds like Communism to me.
Sounds like Communism to me.
Why is this important?
The father of Communism, Karl Marx was against the family unit and stated that it was the way that wealthy passed on their property, thus keeping the class system intact. Smurfs own no property and since they have no blood relation, they wouldn’t favor one over the other. This is why the Smurfs value Smurfdom above all, just like Marx intended.
Sounds like Communism to me.
Sounds like Communism to me.
I will tell you what happened in the Smurf Village. Papa Smurf figured out early from his somewhat effeminate voice that Vanity might be interested in the other Smurfs in ways that weren’t considered “Smurfy”. I guarantee that you that what he did was hand him a mirror and convinced him that the only one he should love was himself. This caused a chain reaction where Vanity expressed self-love, and subconsciously repressed his homosexual feelings.
Oh, and yes when I mean self-love, I guarantee that the mirror wasn’t the only thing he held tight with his left hand.
Homophobia?
Sounds like Communism to me.
Not only that, he had a cat named Azreal. Azreal? Isreal? Coincidence?
Sounds like Communism to me.
Once Papa Smurf dies, I predict total Smurf anarchy.
Sounds like Communism to me.
Sounds like Communism to me.
This ends my second drunken list, and no worries as I have just restocked my fridge. Hopefully my third one isn’t one that is in twenty-five other corners of the world wide web.
Maybe the next one will only be replicated in twenty of them.
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.
Since we just did the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the natural for us to look the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Unlike the OPOY, this was created a year earlier in 1971, but it will it generate the same level of Hall of Famers?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive Tackle(1971)
A great place to start for this award is the “Purple People Eaters”, so this begins with Alan Page. Playing at Defensive Tackle, 1971 was the third of three straight First Team All-Pro Selections and league lead in Approximate Value. As the first AP Defensive Player of the Year, he also became the first to win both the DPOY and the AP MVP Award. Afterwards, Page began another three-year run of First Team All-Pro Selections in 1973. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive Tackle (1972)
“Mean” Joe Greene was going to his fourth Pro Bowl in 1972 and this year he began his first of three consecutive First Team All-Pros. He had 11 “unofficial” Sacks and this was also the season that the Steelers had truly established themselves as Super Bowl contenders. That doesn’t happen without Greene. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Joe Greene, Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive Tackle (2) (1974)
Greene becomes the first repeat winner of the Defensive Player of the Year and it was also his third of three consecutive First Team All-Pro Selections. “Mean” Joe and the Steelers dynasty would also win the first of what would be four Super Bowls in the 1970s. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Mel Blount, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cornerback (1975)
A Steeler wins this for the second year in a row, and you can see how the “Steel Curtain” defense was the best in football. This year’s winner was Mel Blount, who at Cornerback had a league leading 11 Interceptions and would be named a First Team All-Pro. He would earn that honor again in 1981. Blount and the Steelers won their second Super Bowl that year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Jack Lambert, Pittsburgh Steelers, Linebacker (1976)
You know that you had one of the greatest defensive corps ever when you win the DPOY in three different seasons with three different players! Oh, and all of them went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame! The third straight Steeler was Jack Lambert, who was a six-time First Team All-Pro and this was his first one. Like Greene and Blount, Lambert would help Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive End (1979)
Lee Roy Selmon was one of the only things that the Bucs had in their early days. Drafted 1stOverall in 1976, Selmon broke out in 1979 with his DPOY year and would begin a sting of six straight Pro Bowls. Selmon was forced to retire in 1984 due to back issues. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (1981)
Lawrence Taylor changed Linebacking forever and he was by far the most dominating defensive player of the 1980s. L.T. became the first player to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year in the same season as winning the DPOY. He would also begin his streak of 10 straight Pro Bowls. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (2) (1982)
Taylor repeated winning the DPOY, making him the first player to win the award twice in his first two years. The Linebacker was also named a First Team All-Pro for the second of what would be eight times. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Kenny Easley, Seattle Seahawks, Strong Safety (1984)
The career of Kenny Easley spanned only seven seasons and this was right smack dab in the middle of it. Easley was on his second of three straight First Team All-Pros and this was also his third of five Pro Bowls. He would finish first in Interceptions with 10 this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears, Linebacker (1985)
Mike Singletary was an absolute star on the Bears Defense and this was the year of the “Super Bowl Shuffle”. Singletary was in his third of what would be ten consecutive Pro Bowls and he was also awarded his second of six straight First Team All-Pros. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (3) (1986)
This is arguably the greatest defensive season by any player in the history of the National Football League. Taylor would also win the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. He would lead the league in Sacks with 20.5 and this was his sixth of eight First Team All-Pro Selections. The Giants would win Super Bowl XXI that year. Taylor would become the first player to win the DPOY three times. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles, Defensive End (1987)
The “Minister of Defense” was on year two of his six-year run as a First Team All-Pro. White was a beast on the pass rush where he would have a career-high of 21.0 Quarterback Sacks, which led the NFL. White’s 21 Sacks were especially impressive considering he did that in 12 Games. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Mike Singletary, Chicago Bears, Linebacker (2)(1988)
Singletary’s run of dominance continues with his fifth of seven First Team All-Pros, and his sixth of ten straight Pro Bowls. He would equal his career-high of 18 in Approximate Value. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills, Defensive End (1990)
This was Smith’s third First Team All-Pro Selection and he was also coming off of his fourth Pro Bowl. Smith secured 19.0 Sacks for the Bills and this was the year that began four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Cortez Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks, Defensive Tackle (1992)
Kennedy’s DPOY win came early in his career and it began a three-year streak of First Team All-Pro Selections. The Defensive Tackle would spend his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks and would go to eight Pro Bowls, this being his second. He would have a career-high 14.0 Sacks this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cornerback (1993)
Woodson was on year five of a six-year stretch of consecutive Pro Bowls and he would go to 11 in total. The Cornerback was also chosen for his fourth of what turned out to be six First Team All Pros. Eight of his 71 Interceptions would happen in 1993. Woodson would later win a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Deion Sanders, San Francisco 49ers, Cornerback(1994)
After five years with the Atlanta Falcons, Deion Sanders signed with the San Francisco 49ers and would play there for only one season, and what a year it was! Sanders secured his third straight First Team All-Pro, fourth consecutive Pro Bowls and would lead the NFL in Interception Return Yards (303). He also helped San Francisco win the Super Bowl. Following this, Sanders won another Super Bowl with Dallas and went to another four Pro Bowls and as chosen for three more First Team All-Pros. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills, Defensive End (2) (1996)
The Bills were no longer the AFC kings, but were still a playoff team, much of which could be attributed to Bruce Smith. The Defensive End would be named to his fourth of five straight First Team All-Pros and this was his eighth of none. He would have 13.5 Sacks and would lead the NFL in Forced Fumbles with five. Smith also went to 10 Pro Bowls over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Reggie White, Green Bay Packers, Defensive End (2) (1998)
Reggie White won his second Defensive of Player of the Year 11 years after he won his first one making this the largest gap for this award. White was a great player in between those two wins. White won his Super Bowl with Green Bay two years prior and 1998 was the end of an era as this ended his run of 13 straight Pro Bowls and this was his eighth and final First Team All-Pro. White retired after but returned for one more year with the Carolina Panthers. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Defensive Tackle (1999)
1999 would usher in a four-year run of First Team All-Pros and this was year three of seven consecutive Pro Bowls. He would record 12.5 Quarterback Sacks this year. Sapp would later anchor the Bucs to a win at Super Bowl XXXVII. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens, Defensive Tackle (2000)
This was an incredible year for Ray Lewis who would lead the NFL in Approximate Value (23) and led the potent Ravens defense to their Super Bowl win. Lewis was untouchable this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Michael Strahan, New York Giants, Defensive End (2001)
Michael Strahan would set the single season Sack record of 22.5 and he also led the NFL in Forced Fumbles (6). This was his third of four First Team All-Pros for Strahan who would play his entire career with the Giants. He would later win the Super Bowl in the 2007 season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Linebacker(2002)
Derrick Brooks went to 11 Pro Bowls and this year was his sixth. In terms of First Team All-Pro Selections, this was number three of five. The powerful Linebacker led the Bucs to a Super Bowl this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens, Defensive Tackle (2) (2003)
This was the second and last DPOY win for Ray Lewis but he had a lot left to accomplish in a career spent exclusively with Baltimore. 2003 would see Lewis go to his fourth of seven First Team All-Pros and it was also his sixth of 13 Pro Bowls. He would win another Super Bowl with the Ravens in his final year in 2012. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens, Free Safety (2004)
For the second straight year, the Baltimore Ravens had a Defensive Player of the Year winner, and following Ray Lewis we have Ed Reed. Reed would lead the NFL in Interceptions three times, this being the first one and he would also finish first in Interception Return Yards. This was Reed’s first of what would be five First Team All-Pros and he would also go to nine Pro Bowls over his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears, Linebacker (2005)
Brian Urlacher was selected for four First Team All-Pros with 2005 being his third. The Linebacker had 6.0 Sacks and 121 Tackles and was a Pro Bowler for the fifth time. He would be chosen for three more after in a career that remained in Chicago. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins, Defensive End (2006)
Jason Taylor went to three First Team All-Pros and this was his third year. He would also be a six-time Pro Bowl Selection and would have 139.5 Sacks in his career. He would have 13.5 of them this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
The following are the players who have won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Dick Anderson, Miami Dolphins, Free Safety (1973)
This was the third time that Anderson would have a season of 8 Interceptions, but the first time that he led the NFL in that category. The Free Safety and member of Miami’s “No Name Defense” has won their second straight Super Bowl this year, and this was also his second straight First Team All-Pro Selection. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Harvey Martin, Dallas Cowboys, Defensive End (1977)
Harvey Martin went to four straight Pro Bowls, and 1977 was the best of that stretch (1976-79). The Defensive End would earn First Team All-Pro accolades. That year was magical for Martin as he would help Dallas win the Super Bowl and was the Co-MVP with Randy White. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Randy Gradishar, Denver Broncos, Linebacker (1978)
Randy Gradishar was the leader of the “Orange Crush” Defense of the Broncos and he was on his second straight First Team All-Pro Selection. This would be the third of seven Pro Bowl Selections for Gradishar. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Lester Hayes, Oakland Raiders, Cornerback (1980)
Hayes was in his fourth year with the Raiders, and this was his first of five straight Pro Bowls. Hates, who was also a First Team All-Pro also led the league in Interceptions (13) and Interception Return Yards (273). The Raiders would win the Super Bowl that year, and three years later he helped them win it all again. Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Doug Betters, Miami Dolphins, Defensive End (1983)
Doug Betters is the unlikeliest Defensive Player of the Year winner ever. This is not because he the career Miami Dolphin didn’t earn it. He did, it is just that he never played nearly as good before or after in 1983. This was the only season where he went to the Pro Bowl, was an All-Pro and had an Approximate Value that was higher than 8. It was 20 by the way in 1983! He recorded 16.0 Sacks that year. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Keith Millard, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive Tackle (1989)
Millard would have two great years in his career (the second in 1988) and this was the first of them. Millard would have 18.0 Sacks and would lead the league in Approximate Value the season before with 20. This would be also one of two seasons where he was a First Team All-Pro. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Swilling, New Orleans Saints, Linebacker (1991)
Swilling was a First Team All-Pro this year and would be again the year after. This was his third of five Pro Bowls and in 1991 he would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks (17.0) and Approximate Value (23). Ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bryce Paup, Buffalo Bills, Linebacker (1995)
Paup was in his first season in Buffalo, and it was easily his best one. The Outside Linebacker led the NFL in Quarterback Sacks with 17.5 and he was a Pro Bowl Selection four times. This was his only First Team All-Pro nod. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Tackle (1997)
Stubblefield was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1993, won the Super Bowl in 1994 and won the DPOY in 1997. This year, he would earn his only First Team All-Pro and land his third Pro Bowl. Stubblefield would play six more seasons in the NFL but never had a season close to this again. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts, Strong Safety(2007)
When you look at the career of Bob Sanders, you would see that he had only two full seasons; this was the second of them. The Strong Safety was a First Team All-Pro for the second and last time in his career and he would be a Super Bowl Champion in 2005. Overall, his career was inconsistent, and he will go down as one of the more unlikely winners of the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers, Strong Safety (2010)
By 2010, Polamalu had already helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls. The Strong Safety would go his third First Team All-Pro of what would be four, and this would be also his seventh of eight Pro Bowls. He would have seven Interceptions with 63 Tackles this year. Ranked #8 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% |
|
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% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
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% |
|
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% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in the National Football League who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers, Linebacker(2008)
The Linebacker they call “Deebo” had his first of two First Team All-Pro Selections in 2008. He would lead the NFL in Forced Fumbles (7) and Approximate Value (19). Harrison would secure 16.0 Sacks this year and would win his second Super Bowl Ring the following season. Harrison is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2023.
Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers, Cornerback(2009)
Woodson had two streaks of greatness, and this was in his second run. 2009 saw Woodson secure his sixth of eight Pro Bowls and second of third First Team All-Pros and he was the NFL leader in Interceptions with nine. Woodson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
The following are the players who have won the Defensive Player of the Year Award who are still active.
Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens, Linebacker (2011)
Suggs was the third Raven in a ten-year period to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. This was the first time that Suggs was a First Team All-Pro and he would record a career-high 14.0 Sacks. He would also lead the NFL with seven Forced Fumbles. 36 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans, Defensive End (2012)
This was Watt’s second season in the NFL and he would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks with 20.5 and Tackles for Loss (39). The Defensive End would also finish first in Approximate Value (19). This season would begin a four-year run of Pro Bowls and First Team All-Pros and the establishment of one of the most dominating defensive players of the modern era. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers, Linebacker (2013)
Luke Kuechly was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, would become the Defensive Player of the Year in the season that followed. The Middle Linebacker would be chosen for his first First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl, the latter being a current seven-year streak. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Panthers.
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans, Defensive End (2) (2014)
2014 was year three of his four year run of dominance and this was the best of them all. Watt repeated his 20.5 Sack performance of 2012 (though he did not lead the NFL) and he would again finish atop the leaderboard in Forced Fumbles (29) and Approximate Value (22). Watt was so good that he would win the AP MVP and the Bert Bell Award. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans, Defensive End (3) (2015)
Watt reached rarified air with his third DPOY as he joined Lawrence Taylor as the second player to win this award a third time. The Texan would again lead the NFL in Sacks (17.5), Tackles for Loss (29) and Approximate Value (21). When looking at those three DPOY wins, how many overall Wins by the Texans do not occur if J.J. Watt doesn’t exist? 30 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders, Linebacker (2016)
Mack was chosen for his second First Team All Pro and Pro Bowl in 2016. He would net 11.0 Sacks this season. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, Defensive Tackle (2017)
Aaron Donald was the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he just built right upon it. In 2017, Donald was chosen for his third straight First Team All-Pro and fourth consecutive Pro Bowl. He would have 10.5 Sacks this year. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, Defensive Tackle (2) (2018)
Donald had an even better DPOY than his win in the year previous as he would lead the NFL in Sacks (20.5) and Tackles for Loss (25). 28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
It certainly appears that like the OPOY, the Defensive Player of the Year Award is a huge springboard to Canton immortality.
We are stick with the gridiron and look at the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!
Anyone who is interested in NFL betting online or simply watching football for fun will be happy that the new season is underway. Summer can seem a long time as a football fan, and all supporters will be glad that the action has kicked off once more. Two sets of fans who will be especially looking forward to how this campaign pans out are those who follow the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams.