Had it not been for Bruce Matthews, his longtime Offensive Linemate, Mike Munchak, would have easily been the best Lineman in franchise history, but second, to Matthews is nothing to be ashamed of.
Munchak was a high First Round pick from Penn State in 1982, and after an injury-riddled and mediocre rookie year, Munchak settled in as their starting Left Guard, becoming one of the best in the business. A Pro Bowl Selection in 1984 and 1985, Munchak finished his career with a seven-year stretch of Pro Bowls, with two First Team All-Pro nods. The All-Decade Guard played all 12 of his seasons with Houston, starting all but three of his 159 Games. Munchak retired in 1993, and his number 63 was retired the year after.
Munchak was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, two years after he was inducted to their Ring of Honor. The Olers would retire his number 63 in 1994.
Warren Moon was a star Quarterback at the University of Washington, but in the late 1970s, the NFL was not interested in black QBs. Before the draft, Moon decided to sign with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League, and he led them to five consecutive Grey Cups. Moon’s performance north of the border caused a bidding war for his services in the U.S., and he signed with the Houston Oilers in 1984.
The Oilers were not a good team when he arrived, and while they were not winning many games in Moon's early seasons, the gunslinger did what he could to make them competitive. Moon gained weapons, and from 1988 to 1993, he was a perennial Pro Bowl selection, and took Houston to the playoffs in all of those seasons.
Moon was at his best in 1990, where he led the league in Pass Completions (362), Passing Yards (4,689), and Passing Touchdowns (33), and he won the Offensive Player of the Year Award. He again led the NFL in Completions (404) and Yards (4,690) the following season.
After a good 1993 season, the Oilers sent the Quarterback to Minnesota, ending his incredible run in the state of Texas. Moon had 33,685 Yards and 196 Touchdowns in Houston, and he would enter both the Canadian Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Titans also retired his number 1 and inducted him to their Ring of Honor in 2007.
The decision to make Bruce Matthews the greatest Oiler/Titan, was a very simple one. Matthews is not only one of the most prolific Offensive Lineman in the last 50 years; he is also the most versatile and durable.
Matthews was an iron man of sorts, playing an astounding 296 Regular Season Games (currently 14th all-time) and starting 293 of them. Matthews, who was taken ninth overall in 1983, hit his stride in his sixth season, beginning a 14-year streak of Pro Bowls, which is tied for the most ever. Matthews was a seven-time First Team All-Pro, which he accomplished at three different positions, Right Guard, Center, and Left Guard. This ability to excel at different slots at the Offensive Line was invaluable to the Oilers/Titans, who could use other Lineman to their strengths.
Playing until 2001, Matthews is still in the top ten all-time in Approximate Value (226), and he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Matthews was named to the 1990s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary Team. The Titans retired his number 74 in 2002 and installed him in their franchise RIng of Honor the same year.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced that Art McNally is the Contributor Nominee for the Class of 2022.
McNally is considered to be the “Father of Modern Officiating”, and if elected would be the first official to enter Canton. Considering how important the officiating crew is in football in relation to other sports, it is surprising that nobody in stripes has yet to be honored with a bust
McNally began his NFL career in 1959 as a field judge, and would be a referee from 1960 to 1968. Afterward, McNally would become the supervisor of officials, and he modernized the role through extensive training. In 1986, McNally brought in instant replay, and helped to bring modern technology to the role. McNally, who is now 96, was a consultant up until six years ago.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our congratulations to Art McNally for achieving this step, and we hope that he will be inducted in 2022.