One of the most important musicians passed away today, and we wish it was getting more publicity.  Toots Hibbert, the lead singer of the ground-breaking reggae group, Toots and the Maytals died at the age of 77.  The cause of death was not officially released, but he was diagnosed with COVID-19 two weeks ago.

From Jamaica, Hibbert formed his first group in 1961, and he was part of the first wave of Ska music that would eventually become popular internationally.  The Maytals were credited with coining the word “reggae” in their 1968 song, “Do the Reggay”, and along with the Wailers, Jimmy CliffPeter Tosh and others, the Jamaican sound took off.

While the Maytals did not achieve the same success as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots was a unique star is own right.  With a soulful voice derived from gospel and traditional Jamaican roots, Hibbert carved out of the best discographies of any artist regardless of the genre.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends, fans and family of Toots Hibbert.

A day before the 2020 NFL Season is set to start, we have a significant retirement on our hands.  Free Agent Cornerback, Aqib Talib announced his retirement on Twitter. 

Talib was the 20^thOverall Pick in 2008, but the former Kansas Jayhawk struggled early to live up to expectations. Winning the starting job at Left Cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his sophomore year, Talib did well, but it was not until 2012 when he was traded to the New England Patriots where his star began to rise.

Talib was a Second Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection in 2013, his lone full season in New England, but he did not stay there as he signed with the Denver Broncos as a Free Agent in 2014.  His success continued, as he was a Pro Bowler in all four of his years at Mile High, earning a First Team All-Pro in 2016 and helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.

The Cornerback would finish his career with the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins and retires with 35 career Interceptions.

In our updated 2020 pre-season Hall of Fame Monitor of active players, Talib was ranked at #75 and #6 amongst Cornerbacks. He is now eligible for Hall of Fame consideration in 2025.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to thank Talib for the on-field memories and we wish him the best in his post-playing career.

We always find this a fun topic.

The National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong Museum has announced their 12 Finalists for the Class of 2020.

They are:

Baby Nancy

Bingo

Breyer Horses

Jenga

Lite-Brite

Masters of the Universe

My Little Pony

Risk

Sidewalk Chalk

Sorry!

Tamagotchi

Yahtzee

Which ones should get in?  

The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced that there will be one lone member of their Class of 2020, that of former National Team Captain, Carlos Bocanegra.

The Defenseman represented the United States in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup and represented the U.S. in 110 Games, serving as the Captain in 64 of them.

Bocanegra played 15 years professionally, where he was the 2000 MLS Rookie of the Year as a member of the Chicago Fire.  A two-time MLS Defender of the Year, Bocanegra later played for Fulham (England), Rennes (France), Saint-Etienne (France) and Rangers (Scotland) before returning to MLS for Chivas USA.

There will be no ceremony this year due to COVID-19. The Class of 2020 will be inducted alongside next year’s class.  Bocanegra is the 305^thmember of the Class.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Carlos Bocanegra for earning this honor.