It has been reported that Vincent Jackson, former NFL Wide Receiver, has been found dead in his hotel room in Brandon, Florida.  He was only 38 years old.  The cause of death has not been given, but it is known that his family reported him missing on February 10, and found at the hotel he was staying in two days later. He had checked in the hotel on the 11^th.

Jackson played his college football at Northern Colorado and he was drafted in the second round by the San Diego Chargers, where he played until 2011.  With the Chargers, he went to two Pro Bowls, and had three four-digit seasons in yardage.  Jackson joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he played five more seasons, where he again had three 1,000-yard plus years, and went to his third Pro Bowl in 2012. That year he led the NFL in Yards per Reception (19.2).

Jackson amassed 9,080 Yards with 57 Touchdowns over his 12-year career. 

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to offer our condolences to the friends, fans and family of Vincent Jackson.

League and multiple media sources reported last week that the league and NBPA are working on hosting the 2021 All-Star game on March 7 in Atlanta, Georgia, despite initial skepticism. For the league and the NBPA, this would be a big opportunity to cash in, especially in a season where revenues have been spread thin. Still, it goes beyond that for both organisations, who see this as a chance to rally support for relief groups, communities, and people that have been ravaged by the pandemic. Fans will undoubtedly flock to Georgia, one of the few States where the safety and health protocols are particularly freestyled with by the population. The news of the All-Star game being held, however, has not been a matter of common joy in and around the league, with the biggest stars having their say. The naysayers of the decision feel they may have more fun trying out the best betting sites for the grand national, than be in Atlanta.

One of the major critics is none other than the most prominent name and star in the league, LeBron James. King James may be leading the votes for the All-Star selection in the West, which may mean a third-consecutive captaincy for the Lakers superstar, but his mind is far from agreeing with the league about the event. Citing multiple reasons, including rest, especially for the Lakers who went deep into the postseason to eventually emerge as winners and then return to the regular season after 71 days, James detailed why he felt the All-Star game would be a "slap in the face". Another important take was that Atlanta does not appear to be the safest place to have such an event given the State of Georgia's laxity to enforce safety protocols while noting how hard the league has been riding players with stringent protocols and guidelines. Another player to lend their voice in opposition was Sacramento Kings' young point guard, DeAaron Fox, who called the decision point-blank "stupid", citing the health and safety concerns involved. According to the league and NBPA (in which LeBron James is VP), the decision to have the event goes way beyond basketball. Per media reports, the league may even be more worried about players not making the game and how much they could take in their hands with the freedom. 

The opposition of LeBron James could prove to be a major block for the event, given that he is more likely than not to end up as captain of the West teams and could force him to back up his opposition by not playing.

We have another significant retirement in the NFL.  Actually, two.

The Pouncey twins, (Maurkice and Mike) are both retiring at the age of 31.  

The Pounceys played at the University of Florida, both on the offensive line.  Winning the 2009 BCS National Championship with the Gators, the brothers were both taken in the first round in 2011, Mike 16^thoverall by the Miami Dolphins, and Maurkice, 18^thby the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Both would play at Center in the NFL.

Mike went to three Pro Bowls with Miami (2013-15), and went to a fourth in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers, 2018.  Maurkice was with the Steelers his entire career, where he was a nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time First Team All-Pro and member of the 2010s All-Decade Team.

Both are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026, though only Maurkice has a legitimate shot. We will be writing their bios for our football futures section shortly.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Maurkice and Mike Pouncey the best in their post-playing career.

When you follow halls of fame as diligent as we do, it is a festive season when you have the Baseball Hall of Fame and Football Hall of Fame announce their classes a week about.  Throw in the fact that the Rock and Roll Hall is now announcing their Finalists, we have an unprecedented time on our hands.

Due to COVID-19, the nomination process for the Class of 2021 was delayed by several months, but until two days ago there was no set date as to when it we learn who would be on the ballot.

The nominees are:

Carole King:  Ranked #87 on Notinhalloffame.com.  King entered the Rock Hall a long time ago as a songwriter with her partner, Gerry Goffin, but her solo work as a performer is also Hall worthy.  This is the first time she has been nominated since 1989.

Chaka Khan:  Ranked #168 on Notinhalloffame.com.  The Hall wants Chaka Khan in, as they have nominated her in the past as a solo, and later with the group, Rufus.  Again, as a solo, this is her sixth overall nomination.

Devo:  Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Devo returns to the ballot after a year, and their work in Post-Punk/New Wave is among the most influential of its day.

Dionne Warwick:  Ranked #362 on Notinhalloffame.com. Warwick has a trophy case full of Grammys and a laundry list of hits, but with an Adult Contemporary sound, her rock and roll credibility is suspect.  That hasn’t stopped Hall voters before.

Fela Kuti:  Ranked #397 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Every year there is a wild card, and this is year it is Fela Kuti, the most important singer from Africa.  If the Rock Hall voters value world music, he is the best choice they could make.

Foo Fighters:  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Foo Fighters are in their first year of eligibility and it should be no surprise to anyone that they were nominated, nor should anyone be shocked to see them gain immediate entry.  An induction will make Dave Grohl a two-time inductee, having already been enshrined with Nirvana.

The Go-Go’s:  Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.  The Go-Go’s were he first all-female band to go #1 on Billboard, and this is their first nomination since being eligible in 2006.

Iron Maiden:  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.  This is a pleasant surprise as the Heavy Metal gods have never been nominated despite being eligible since the 2004 vote.  Heavy Metal has struggled to find representation in the Rock Hall, and in the past few years, Judas Priest and Motorhead have been on the ballot, but failed to gain entry.  It might be a hard call to see Iron Maiden achieving what the others did not.

Jay-Z:  Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Jay-Z is one of the most important, if not THE most important hip-hop artist in the last thirty years.  If you don’t agree with that assessment, you can’t deny that he is among the most successful.  Like Foo Fighters, Jay-Z is on their first year of eligibility and he should get in.

Kate Bush:  Ranked #132 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Bush’s unique singing voice was only matched by her unique material. She was nominated before in 2018.

LL Cool J:  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.  LL Cool J is nominated for the fifth time, but he again he is not the biggest named Hip Hop artist on the ballot.  The nomination of Jay-Z hurts LL Cool J more than anyone else, but there is no reason that two Hip Hop stars can’t get inducted in the same year.

Mary J. Blige:  Ranked #252 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Blige earns her first nomination on her third year of eligibility. Her diverse catalogue earns her a spot, but with other more established African-American women on this ballot, this will be a tough one for her to get elected on.

The New York Dolls:  Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.  The New York Dolls are this year’s proto-punk/punk nominee and the David Johansen led group were nominated once before, back in 2001.

Rage Against the Machine:  Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com.  RATM is on their third ballot, and finding a group that fused rap and hard rock/metal better than them is a daunting task.

Tina Turner:  Ranked #113 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Tina Turner was long ago inducted as one half of Ike & Tina, but Tina’s solo career far eclipsed the duo in popularity.  This is the first time that Tina has been nominated as a solo, and should she get in, she joins Stevie Nicks as female double-inductee.

Todd Rundgren:  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.  Rundgren’s overall body of work as a performer, songwriter and producer puts many Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to shame.  Eligible since 1996, Rundgren had to wait until 2018 for his first nomination, and he was also on the ballot last year.  

We know there will be copious amounts of rage regarding who was not nominated.  There always is.  We do feel that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee did a good job nominating musicians across a musical landscape, and have for the last seven years. 

This ballot also has the greatest number of women in nominating history.

What happens next is up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters.

Congratulations to all the Finalists, and let the debate again.