There remains one and only one, modern era first-team NFL All-Decade player (not including special teams players) that isn’t a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 183 players in…..1 left out. Let that sink in and you’ll understand Drew Pearson’s frustration.
While I, and many others, think that Pearson’s call is decades over due, I thought for sure this year’s special Centennial Class of inductees, in celebration of the NFL’s 100th anniversary, would finally get Drew his bust in Canton. After all, the whole concept behind expanding the number of new members to fifteen was done, in large part, to right any past wrongs and oversights. So HOF, WTF?
How Mr. Pearson still remains on the outside looking in is anyone’s guess. He’s also the only first or SECOND team all-decade wide receiver from the 70s, 80s or 90s not in. Oh, and those all-decade teams I keep referencing….they were selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Again, WTF?
Not that it’s needed, but just to add a little more fuel to the fire, Pearson and his Cowboys made the playoffs in ten of his eleven seasons and appeared in three Super Bowls (winning Super Bowl XII). He was also a three-time, first-team All-Pro. And he perhaps made the most historic catch in NFL history, Roger Staubach’s infamous “Hail Mary” in the 1975 playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings.
Drew had family and friends at his home this morning to receive what he hoped would be the overdue call that would tell him his long wait was over. But the call never came. Pearson was rightfully upset and told CBS Channel 11 that the Hall of Fame “broke my heart” and he was visibly upset about how the Hall strung out the new member announcements over two hours….making Drew and his guests wait for something that would never materialize.
I grew up watching Drew Pearson play from afar (Chicago), but even I recognized his greatness at a young age. How the Pro Football Hall of Fame has missed the mark for 32 years now and counting is baffling.
