The greatest punter in history finally elected to the NFL Hall of Fame

http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_25...nally-gets

Congrats to Ray Guy!

I have never really understood the attitude that kickers are not important when from a fan's perspective, they seem very important in the outcome of a game.

IS it just because they are not considered real football players by the rest of the team and coaches?

I think Charles Haley really needs voted into the Hall of Fame. Him not being voted in because of off-field issues that were recently diagnosed as bi-polar is a shame.

(02-02-2014 01:57 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I think Charles Haley really needs voted into the Hall of Fame. Him not being voted in because of off-field issues that were recently diagnosed as bi-polar is a shame.

There is still a stigma attached to any condition that effects a person's ability to act rationally, and the vast majority of people don't respond positively to mental illnesses.

(02-02-2014 01:31 PM)goofus Wrote:  I have never really understood the attitude that kickers are not important when from a fan's perspective, they seem very important in the outcome of a game.

IS it just because they are not considered real football players by the rest of the team and coaches?

I can understand he hesitation on selecting a Punter because while it is an important position in my lifetime there have only been maybe two that I would consider "game changers"......Ray Guy and Reggie Roby.

I would expect in the next year to so Morten Anderson will get in.

Meanwhile...Jerome Bettis and Tim Brown wait.....

(02-02-2014 01:14 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  The greatest punter in history finally elected to the NFL Hall of Fame

http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_25...nally-gets

Congrats to Ray Guy!

Long overdue. The fact that it took the veterans' committee to get Guy into Canton is a black mark against the sportswriters who vote on the HOF nominees.

(02-02-2014 01:14 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  The greatest punter in history finally elected to the NFL Hall of Fame

http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_25...nally-gets

Congrats to Ray Guy!

Now we can work on Steve Tasker....

(02-02-2014 04:15 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(02-02-2014 01:57 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I think Charles Haley really needs voted into the Hall of Fame. Him not being voted in because of off-field issues that were recently diagnosed as bi-polar is a shame.

There is still a stigma attached to any condition that effects a person's ability to act rationally, and the vast majority of people don't respond positively to mental illnesses.

Well from what I observe in society today it might be argued that the vast majority of people are mentally ill. It's funny we teach tolerance of all manner of bizarre choices and behaviors, but those who are legitimately ill are still stigmatized. That is both illogical and inhumane.

Now as for Ray Guy, hooray! In his prime he was every bit the weapon of any offensive Raider on some great teams.

I was really pulling for Morten Andersen to get in. IMHO, he's the best ever and that deserves a spot in Canton.

Quick story involving Ray Guy. I was coaching my son's 9-10 year old baseball team years ago (he's 35 now) and he made the all-star team. My son was also playing in a daytime recreational league in Hattiesburg, MS (where Guy lived). I didn't realize that it was against Dixie Youth Baseball's rules to participate in more than one league and apparently Guy had seen my son play in the Hattiesburg rec league. During our game against the Hattiesburg team Guy's son played for, I was told that Guy called Dixie Youth officials over and notified them that my son was playing in two leagues, making him ineligible for all-stars. Although the game was played out, had my son's team won the tournament and advanced to the state tournament, they would have had to forfeit, all thanks to my ignorance of the rules and thanks to Ray Guy, future Hall of Famer.

FWIW, I also think Guy should have made the Hall years ago.