126. Jim Hart

If it seemed like Jim Hart was the St. Louis Cardinals Quarterback forever, it is because, in football terms, he practically was. Hart started 180 games for them from 1967 to 1983, but for such a long tenure, it went largely unnoticed. Playing for bad teams usually does that.

It wasn’t that the Cardinals didn’t have any good seasons; in the mid-70s, they rifled off three consecutive 10-win seasons. This coincided with Hart’s four straight Pro Bowl appearances. Jim Hart became one of the most durable and respected Quarterbacks in the NFL, and that durability helped him build an impressive statistical career.

Unfortunately, as the leader of bad teams for the majority of his career, Hart was considered a good player who wasn’t good enough to take his team to the next level. This may explain why he never received any real look from the Hall.

Should Jim Hart be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 69.9%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 11.9%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 12.8%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 5.5%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.
Eligible Since: Monday, 01 January 1990
Position: Quarterback
Games Played: 203
Notable Statistics: 180 Games Started
2,593 Pass Completions
5,076 Pass Attempts

51.1 Pass Completion Percentage

34,665 Passing Yards

209 Touchdown Passes

247 Interceptions

66.6 Passer Rating

159 Rushing Attempts

207 Rushing Yards

16 Rushing Touchdowns

1 Reception

-4 Receiving Yards

131 Approximate Value

3 Playoff Games
2 Playoff Games Started

40 Pass Completions
81 Pass Attempts

49.4 Pass Completion Percentage

491 Passing Yards

2 Touchdown Passes

4 Interceptions

56.1 Passer Rating

1 Rushing Attempt

10 Rushing Yards
Played For: St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Redskins
College: Southern Illinois
Drafted: Undrafted in 1966
Major Accolades and Awards: UPI MVP (1974)
Second Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1974)
Pro Bowl Selection (4) (1974, 1975, 1976, & 1977)
NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (1975)
Most Pass Attempts (1) (1974)
Other Points of Note: Finished 4th in Offensive Rookie of the Year Voting in 1967

Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completions (8) (1967, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1978)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Attempts (9) (1967, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1978)
Top Ten Finishes: Passing Yards (9) (1967, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1978)
Top Ten Finishes: Passing Touchdowns (8) (1967, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1978)
Top Ten Finishes: Passer Rating (5) (1967, 1973, 1974, 1975 & 1976)
Top Ten Finishes: Passing Yards per Game (9) (1967, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1978)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Pass Attempt (7) (1967, 1968, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1976 & 1977)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Pass Completion (8) (1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976 & 1977)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completions per Game (7) (1967, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1978)
Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completion Percentage (2) (1973 & 1976)
Notable All Time Rankings: 33. Pass Attempts: 5,076
34. Yards per Pass Completion: 13.4
40. Passing Yards: 34,655
47. Touchdown Passes: 209
52. Pass Completions: 2,598
Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None