By Jonathan Sawyer
Sports Editor
The 2017 NFL Hall of Fame nominee class was announced Wednesday.The three names that will highlight this class are Donovan McNabb, LaDainian Tomlinson and Hines Ward. Although these three most likely won’t get in on first ballot, it is still shocking to see these greats up for the Hall of Fame because of how people never thought they would ever retire.
Donovan McNabb
A mobile quarterback out of Syracuse University, who could pick defenses apart, but also take it himself if he wanted to. Ultimately his downfall came as he got older, as the hits took a toll on him and ended up putting him out with serious injuries. McNabb was booed as he was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He led the Eagles to four straight NFC Conference Championship games, and one Super Bowl, which they lost 24-21. McNabb is a six-time Pro Bowler, NFC Offensive Player of the Year and NFC Player of the Year in 2004. He also has his number retired as an Eagle. McNabb played for the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings, each for a year, before retiring in 2011.
LaDainian Tomlinson
L.T., as everyone knows him, broke into the league in 2001, with the San Diego Chargers, as one of the fastest running backs to touch the ball. His illusiveness and field vision were immaculate. The statistics speak for themselves: NFL Most Valuable Player, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2006, two-time NFL rushing leader in 2006 and 2007, and three-time NFL rushing touchdown leader. He ended with 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns at his prime, he was the best running back in the league, and until Adrian Peterson came into the lead, no one was even close to touching him in numbers.
Hines Ward
Ward played 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and although his numbers aren’t spectacular, he was the key reason why the Steelers won two Super Bowls while he was with the team. Ward was a player who every kid could look up to. He would always go out there and give his heart to the game. He is pound for pound one of the best receivers to ever play the game. No matter how hard times got for him with injuries, he would always have a smile on. He brought leadership to the team and was always about the team. Ward had 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns in his career. He was the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl 40. Ward brought leadership and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame talks with all these great guys.
When looking at these three amazing players, you can see nothing but gold jackets in their future. McNabb and Ward will miss this Hall of Fame class due to other candidates who are more qualified right now. In the 2018 Hall of Fame class, don’t be surprised to see these names pop up again, getting their head enshrined into Canton.
L.T. will get in this year due to his productivity in his first six to seven years and it will be hard to leave him off the first ballot Hall of Fame class.
sawyerjp15@bonaventure.edu
