HAROLD CARMICHAEL

Harold Carmichael
6'8" 225
Wide Receiver
Philadelphia Eagles
1971 - 1984
14 Seasons
182 Games Played
590 Receptions
8,985 Receiving Yards
79 Touchdowns
4 Pro Bowls
1980 NFL Man Of The Year




Lee Harold Carmichael was a seventh round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1971 NFL Draft. He was the 161st player chosen overall.

Carmichael attended Southern University in his collegiate career. While starting all four years at wide receiver, he never led the Jaguars in receptions.

Allen Jubilee Dunbar led Southern in receptions for two of those seasons, and he would go on to be a third round draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1972 draft. Though he did not make the team, Dunbar averaged over 19 yards on 23 receptions for the New Orleans Saints the next year. He was out of the league the following season, after playing with the Cleveland Browns.

Carmichael was named All Conference and All American in his senior year, while also serving as the team captain.

Harold Carmichael is a member of the Southern Hall of Fame, the State of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame.


The Eagles decided to move Carmichael to tight end for his rookie campaign, starting in six of the nine games he played. He led all Eagles tight ends with 20 receptions, which was the fourth most on the team that year.

He was then permanently moved to wide receiver the following season, and he started in five of the 13 games he appeared in. He caught another 20 passes, and scored the first two touchdowns of his career.

The 1973 season saw Carmichael establish himself as one of the top receivers in the league. He led the NFL with 67 receptions for 1,116 yards. His 79.9 receiving yards per game also led the league, which are all career best marks. While scoring nine times, he also ran the ball a career high three times for 42 yards and was named to his first Pro Bowl team.

The Eagles struggled to find a steady quarterback over the next three seasons, and Carmichael suffered somewhat because of this. He caught 147 balls over that time, along with 20 touchdowns, but his yard per catch average never exceeded 13 yards over that time.

Ron Jaworski was named the starting quarterback for the 1977 season, and provided much needed stability for the team. Carmichael averaged 14.5 yards on 42 receptions, along with seven scores, while helping break in the young signal caller.

He averaged a career best 19.5 yards on 55 receptions the next season, gaining 1,072 yards and scoring eight times. He was named to his second Pro Bowl as well, an honor he would attain in each of the two following seasons.

Carmichael caught 100 passes over that time, averaging 17 yards a reception, and scored 20 times. His 11 touchdowns in the 1978 season was a career high.

The 1980 season was special to many Eagles and their fans. The team would win the NFC crown, and appear in Super Bowl XV. Carmichael was a key member of that team. Though Philadelphia lost to the Oakland Raiders in that game, he led led the team with six receptions for 91 yards.

He followed that year up by gaining 1,028 yards on 61 receptions, along with six scores, in the 1981 season. He also caught a pass for a career long 85 yards.

The NFL went on strike in the 1982 season, and this event cut into Carmichael's production. He was on his way to having another stellar year, catching 35 balls and scoring four times.

Now at 34 years old in 1983, Carmichael was nearing the end of his career. He snagged 38 passes, and scored the last three touchdowns of his career. He also tossed a 45 yard touchdown pass, the only one of his career.

The Eagles then released him after the season completed.

He joined the Dallas Cowboys the next year, and caught one pass for seven yards in the two games he suited up for. Carmichael then decided to retire from the game.

Harold Carmichael's name is all over the Philadelphia Eagles record books. His 180 games played with the club is the most ever. He is still on top of the teams list for most receptions, reception yards, and receiving touchdowns for a career. He is still ranked 12th in receiving yards for a season, and 18th for receptions in a season.

Carmichael once held an NFL record by catching a pass in 127 straight games, and ranked sixth all time in league history in career receptions at the time of his retirement.

His 590 receptions still rank as the 53rd most in league history, his 8,985 receiving yards is the 42nd most, and his 79 total touchdowns is the 48th most ever.

Harold is also well known for his off the field accomplishments in community work. He was named the 1980 NFL Man of the Year, the Jacksonville Pro Athlete of the Year, and the New Jersey General Assembly Man of the Year.

Carmichael is a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, and is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Honor Roll.

I have wondered, through the years, why Carmichael has not been inducted into Canton yet. Looking at his statistics, one might consider him a fringe prospect. If you look beyond that, you can easily see he is worthy.

Carmichael was the target on every down the Eagles dropped back to pass. Not only because of his enormous size, but because of his sure and steady hands. His long strides often got him far into enemy territory, as one can see by his 15 yards per catch average over his career.

He was much more than a very dangerous red zone threat. He was tough, and an excellent blocker. His battles with Pat Fischer, another CCC profilee, are legendary. Those two men would spend several Sunday's putting welts on each others bodies.

Carmichael had to achieve his successes in an era where the ten yard chuck rule was in play, making it much more difficult to get open. Cornerbacks then were much more adept at man to man coverage than they are in these times. A receiver not only had to get open then, but he had to literally fight his way to the spot on the field where a ball was to be thrown.

Harold Carmichael has joined a long list of many of his contemporaries. This list is of forgotten players on a forgotten era by a society today that has little to no idea of the path paved to present time. Many of the Hall Of Fame voters never saw Carmichael play, nor the era he played in.

You will see inferior players inducted before Carmichael most likely. Men who benefited from the five yard chuck rule, the offensive linemens ability to hold, as well as the defenders inability to hit anyone like they used to.

It is more than a shame. It is a disgrace. Harold Carmichael certainly belongs in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, but time and opportunity for his respect trudge onward into obscurity.


Notable Players Drafted In 1971 ( * Denotes Canton Inductee )

1. Jim Plunkett, QB, New England
2. Archie Manning, QB, New Orleans
3. Dan Pastorini, QB, Houston Oilers
4. J.D. Hill, WR, Buffalo
6. John Riggins, RB, NY Jets *
8. Frank Lewis, WR, Pittsburgh
9. John Brockington, RB, Green Bay
10. Isiah Robertson, LB, LA Rams
14. Clarence Scott, DB, Cleveland
19. Jack Tatum, DB, Oakland
20. Jack Youngblood, DE, LA Rams *
27. Julius Adams, DE, New England
34. Jack Ham, LB, Pittsburgh *
43. Dan Dierdorf, OT, St. Louis Cardinals *
45. Phil Villapiano, LB, Oakland
48. Charlie Weaver, LB, Detroit
56. Lynn Dickey, QB, Houston
57. Jim Braxton, FB, Buffalo
67. Ken Anderson, QB, Cincinnati
79. Lyle Alzado, DE, Denver
99. Joe Theismann, QB, Miami
104. Dwight White, DE, Pittsburgh
106. Larry Brown, OT, Pittsburgh
142. Doug Dieken, OT, Cleveland
147. Mel Gray, WR, Saint Louis
206. Ron Jessie, WR, Dallas
230. Vern Den Herder, DE, Miami
268. Mike Wagner, DB, Pittsburgh
272. George Starke, OT, Washington

GEORGE KUNZ

George Kunz
6'5" 257
Offensive Tackle
Atlanta Falcons
1969 - 1980
11 Seasons
129 Games Played
8 Pro Bowls





George James Kunz was a first round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 1969 NFL draft. He was the second player chosen overall.

Kunz attended Notre Dame in college, and is one of the best blockers in the schools history. During his era, George was called the most dominant offensive lineman in college football by many.

He was a starter, at right offensive tackle, on the 1966 National Championship Team. In 1967, Notre Dame took advantage of his excellent athleticism by also lining him up at tight end several times during the year. He ended up with seven receptions for just over a hundred yards.

George was named team co-captain in 1968, and ended up being named consensus All-American. Kunz was also an Academic All-American and was recipient of a National Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation and an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship. He achieved Cum laude honors as well.

George started right away for the Falcons, and made an immediate impact on the NFL. He was named to the All Pro Team, despite playing on a young Falcons offensive line that started two more rookies. Atlanta also struggled to a 6-8 record under their coach Norm Van Brocklin, a Hall Of Fame Quarterback.

Kunz was injured the following year, but was able to start in all of the nine games he played in. Atlanta had the youngest offensive line in the league, featuring four players with one years experience and a rookie, and finished 4-8-2.

George came back strong in 1971, and was named an All Pro again. He would be named an All Pro every year until 1977. He also would not miss a game until 1975.

Atlanta had quite a few excellent players on their team during this time, including Tommy Nobis, Claude Humphrey, and Jeff Van Note. Unfortunately, the team lost more than they won. Their best record, during Kunz's time there, was 9-5 in 1973.

Kunz was traded to the Baltimore Colts before the 1975 season. The Colts stumbled out of the blocks 1-4, but then caught fire. They won nine straight games, before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division playoffs. The Colts relied on All Pro running back Lydell Mitchell, who often would run behind Kunz for huge chunks of yardage.

The Colts, featuring All Pro players like Kunz, Mitchell, Bert Jones, Roger Carr, Toni Linhart, and John Dutton, would go 11-3 in 1976. Again, they lost to the Steelers in the playoffs.

George's last year as an All Pro was 1977, and the Colts would win their division for the third straight season. This time the Colts faced the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs. They would lose a heart breaker, and Oakland scored as time expired.

Kunz would suffer an injury in the first game of the 1978 season. It was so severe that he would not play again until 1980. That year he started in six of the nine games he played, then retired after the season completed.


When you look at the NFL career of George Kunz, you see supreme excellence. In the eight fully healthy seasons he played in, he was an All Pro each of those times. He was explosive off the snap off the ball, had great mobility, and was exceedingly smart and technically sound.

He dominated his opponents. Point blank. There is no other way to describe his career. There were very few better than him in the history of the game. He did not always play on great teams, but he did play for many excellent Colts teams.

I long have stated that Canton DOES NOT house the best players. The only logical reason a voter can try to come up with is that Kunz played with an Atlanta team that was mediocre. This might be the reason why Nobis, Van Note, and Humphrey still await the call as well.


No other Falcon offensive lineman has been named an All Pro more than George Kunz. In fact, his five nods are the second most in franchise history behind Humphrey. Despite the fact he only played three healthy seasons as a Colt, his three Pro Bowls are the third most by any offensive tackle in that franchises illustrious history.


The 1969 NFL Draft is one of the greatest in the leagues history, and features five Hall Of Famers as well as many players close to being elected. George's 8 Pro Bowls are the second most in this draft class.


There is ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION that George Kunz belongs in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame!



Notable Players Drafted In 1969 (* Denotes Hall Of Famer)

1. O.J. Simpson, RB, Buffalo *
4. Joe Greene, DT, Pittsburgh *
7. Ted Kwalick, TE, San Francisco
11. Bill Stanfill, DE, Miami
13. Fred Dryer, DE, NY Giants
16. Gene Washington, WR, San Francisco
19. Roger Wehrli, CB, Saint Louis Cardinals
20. Ron Johnson, RB, Cleveland
23. Jim Marsalis, CB, Kansas City
24. Calvin Hill, RB, Dallas
26. Dave Foley, OT, NY Jets
31. Bill Bergey, MLB, Cincinnati
33. Ted Hendricks, OLB, Baltimore Colts *
39. Ed White, OG, Minnesota
40. Jerry LeVias, WR, Houston Oilers
41. Bobby Douglass, QB, Chicago
48. Ed Podolak, RB, Kansas City
50. George Buehler, OG, Oakland
56. Jon Kolb, OT, Pittsburgh
58. Carl Garrett, RB, Boston Patriots
61. Bill Thompson, CB, Denver
63. Mercury Morris, RB, Miami
69. Bill Bradley, S, Philadelphia
80. Bob Kuechenberg, OG, Philadelphia
81. Jim Mitchell, TE, Atlanta
93. Charlie Joiner, WR, Houston *
96. Roy Gerela, K, Houston
99. Jon Zook, DE, Los Angeles Rams
101. Jack Rudnay, C, Kansas City
120. Earl Edwards, DT, San Francisco
124. Fair Hooker, WR, Cleveland
135. Ken Riley, CB, Cincinnati
139. Harold McLinton, MLB, Washington
164. Ted Cottrell, LB, Atlanta (Notable Coach)
191. Larry Brown, RB, Washington
192. James Harris, QB, Buffalo
238. L.C. Greenwood, DE, Pittsburgh
262. Jeff Van Note, C, Atlanta
273. John Fuqua, RB, NY Giants
314. Wade Key, OG, Philadelphia
337. Carl Mauck, C, Baltimore
338. Steve O'Neal, P, NY Jets
364. Roger Finnie, OT, NY Jets
379. Don Herrmann, WR, NY Giants
401. Lloyd Mumphord, CB, Miami

MAXIE BAUGHAN

Maxie Baughan
6'1" 227
Linebacker
Philadelphia Eagles
1960 - 1970, 1974
12 Seasons
147 Games Played
18 Interceptions
9 Pro Bowls





Maxie Calloway Baughan was a second round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960, the 20th player chosen overall. Maxie went to college at Georgia Tech, where he is a legend. He started, and played, both ways at Linebacker and Center for the Rambling Wreck. Baughan set a record that still stands today, when he had 124 tackles during his senior year. He was named the Southeastern Conference Player Of The Year that season, as well as All American. He was then named the MVP of the Gator Bowl, when he led his team to victory. Maxie Baughan is in the Georgia Tech, Georgia Sports, Alabama, Gator Bowl Hall Of Fame's, as well as the College Football Hall Of Fame.



After playing in both the Hula Bowl and College All Star game, Baughan joined the Eagles and was inserted into Outside Linebacker on the right side of the defense. He played alongside future Canton inductees like Chuck Bednarik, Norm Van Brocklin, Sonny Jurgensen, and Tommy McDonald, as well as Eagles Legends like Pete Retzlaff, Bobby Walston, Tom Brookshier, Timmy Brown, Don Burroughs, and future Eagles head coaches Marion Campbell and Ed Khayat that year. The Eagles would go on to win the NFL Championship, the last the franchise has seen since.



Maxie would be named to the Pro Bowl that year, after picking off 3 passes and returning them for 50 yards. He went back to the Pro Bowl the next year after intercepting a ball and returning it 22 yards. The Eagles had a strong season, going 10 - 4, but were unable to repeat as champions. The team started to get rid of their players, in hopes of rebuilding. Philadelphia won five games over the next two years, and Maxie went back to the Pro Bowl in 1963.



The teams roster turnover continued, as did the coaching staff, in 1964. Maxie went back to the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons, including helping make another memorable Philadelphia moment in 1965. In the second from last game that year, the Eagles trounced the Pittsburgh Steelers 47 - 13. What is most notable about that game is that the Eagles intercepted the ball an NFL record 9 times that day. Maxie got his hands on one of those balls, and rumbled 33 yards for the only touchdown of his career.



Baughan was 27 years old, and had been to the Pro Bowl in 5 of his 6 years, but Maxie felt that the Eagles wanted to keep cleaning house, and he was part of the guys they wanted out. He asked to be traded close to home, or to New York. Little did he realize that Hall Of Famer George Allen was beginning his first year as a head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. Allen had just left the Chicago Bears position as defensive coordinator, which caught the ire of NFL founding father, and Bears owner, George Halas. Halas sued Allen for breach of contract and won, but let Allen leave anyways.



Allen had his eye on Maxie, and traded 3 players to the Eagles for his services. The Eagles would also trade All Pro Cornerback Irv Cross to the Rams in a separate deal. Baughan and Allen formed an immediate bond. The two would spend hours dissecting opponents game plans and films. Baughan is on record to have said he learned more about football from Allen than anyone he had ever met in his life.



The trade paid off handsomely for the Rams, as Baughan would go to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 4 years with the team. He set a career high of 4 interceptions in 1967, and matched that total the next season. In 1970, Baughan was injured. He was only able to play in 10 games, and did not start in two of the games. They were the first two games that Maxie did not start in his entire career. Maxie then retired from the NFL.



About this same time, Allen had taken over as head coach of the Washington Redskins. He wanted certain players on his team, and many were still employed by the Rams. Allen then engineered a trade that sent All Pro Linebacker Marlin McKeever (a one time teammate of Baughan's in Los Angeles), a first, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and two third round draft picks to the Rams in exchange for Baughan, LB Jack Pardee, LB Myron Pottios, RB Jeff Jordan, G John Wilbur, DT Diron Talbert, and a fifth-round choice. This was the beginnings of the famous "Over The Hill Gang" in Washington.




His time with Allen had inspired him to go into coaching, so Maxie returned to Georgia Tech to be an assistant coach and defensive coordinator instead of playing. Allen, however, persuaded Maxie to return to the NFL in 1974. He made Baughan a player-coach, and Maxie got in on two games that year. He then retired permanently as a player, but his coaching career was just beginning to blossom.





He served as a defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Colts and Detroit Lions between 1975 to 1982. He then took over as head coach at Cornell University, a storied program that has seen such legends like Pop Warner and George Siefert coach the team. Baughan led the Big Red to an Ivy League Championship, their first in 17 seasons. After Cornell, he coached with the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens before retiring from the game for good.



Maxie was as solid and consistent a player as they come. He only missed five games in his first ten years in the league, and started every game he was able to play in during that time. He was equally adept at playing the strong side linebacker as he was on the weak side. He played on the right side his whole career, and was a tackling machine. Statistics for tackles were not kept in those days, so his true impact escapes the younger fans, and voters, of these days.




It is simply disrespectful that the voters in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame have not put Maxie into Canton yet. He went to 9 Pro Bowls in his first ten years in the league, which is utterly amazing. You MUST realize that players EARNED their Pro Bowl bids back then, much more than they do today. It wasn't a popularity contest then, where fans would vote you in based on shenanigans perpetrated on and off the field, like it is these days. Players and coaches did the voting, and they would only vote in the best of the best. Maxie's amazing run of Pro Bowls certainly shows he was one of the best ever in any era of NFL history.





I have long stated, if you have followed this series, that the selection process in Canton is flawed. It is also too political. The induction classes are way too small, and there are too many superior players not yet in. Seeing inferior players like Andre Tippett and Derrick Thomas inducted makes a real football fan even more sickened by this process. Tippett and Thomas are deserving, but they were pass rushers only. Tippett was a Pro Bowler only FIVE times in his 12 seasons, and Thomas intercepted just one pass in his entire career. Seeing better, and more complete, linebackers like Baughan, Chris Hanburger, Tommy Nobis, Robert Brazile, and others not inducted shows the Pro Football Hall Of Fame is a fraudulent sham. The best are NOT in that building in Canton.




The fact that Maxie Baughan is not in only proves my point. Maxie, and many of his peers, are not the type to politic or kiss any of the butts of these phony know nothing voters. Baughan himself is content with all the other Halls he has been inducted into, but he has no idea as to why he isn't in Canton. He isn't alone in that thought. It is quite clear that Maxie Baughan should have been inducted into the Professional Football Hall Of Fame decades ago.






Notable 1960 Draftees (* Denotes Hall of Fame Inductee)

1. Billy Cannon, RB, LA Rams
3. Johnny Robinson, DB, Detroit
8. Jim Houston, LB, Cleveland
10. Ron Mix, OT, Baltimore *
32. Don Meredith, QB, Chicago
42. Roger Brown, DT, Detroit
44. Jim Marshall, DT, Cleveland
55. Abner Haynes, RB, Pittsburgh
74. Larry Wilson, S, St. Louis Cardinals *
109. Charley Johnson, QB, St. Louis Cardinals
110. Curtis McClinton, RB, LA Rams

Crazy Canton Cuts Asks For YOUR HELP

Those who may follow this blog know that it pays tribute to Professional Football Legends yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.

You also may be aware my first entry into this blogs series is of CHRIS HANBURGER.

It is my personal mission to get Hanburger into Canton, and this has been spotlighted in the Washington Times.

I have decided to ratchet up my efforts.

I am PLEADING for YOU ALL to sign my petition:



http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ChrisHanburgerHOF

Your e-mail will NOT be displayed, and you can check off a box to not be bothered further.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS ALSO AND GET THEM TO SIGN AS WELL!

I would TRULY APPRECIATE it.


Chris Hanburger
Washington Redskins
Linebacker
6'2" 220
1965 - 1978
14 Seasons
187 Games Played
19 Interceptions
5 Touchdowns
9 Pro Bowls


Christian G. Hanburger was an 18th! Round draft choice of the Redskins in 1965. He was the 245TH! player chosen that year. He was a 25 year old rookie, due to his service in the Army before going to the University of North Carolina. At UNC, he was a 2 way player who was named All ACC at Center his junior and senior years. In 1963, his team won the ACC Championship.

Hanburger played right away and was in the Pro Bowl by his second year in the league. He would then begin a string of Pro Bowl appearances until 1969. He then resumed that string in 1972 until 1976. Sacks and tackles were not recorded in those days, but Hanburger was a play maker. He is considered one of the best of his era. He was known for his blitzing ability and pass coverage. Ever the complete player, he returned 3 fumbles for touchdowns in his career to go with 2 on interceptions. In 1972, Hanburger captained the Over The Hill gangs defense to a Super Bowl appearance. Hanburger was known not only for good speed, but his exceptional quickness. He had the innate ability to diagnose a play before the ball was hiked. He often would cover the other teams tight end and peel off to knock passes down meant for wide receivers. Coach George Allen liked to have a safety first defense, leaving the rest to Hanburger and his fellow linebackers.

Chris Hanburger's nine Pro Bowl appearances are still the most by any player in the entire history of the Washington Redskins.

The game was played different for the most part in his era. The running game was most teams primary weapon. Tackling with sound fundamentals was a must then. Few players lead with their heads for "kill shots" because they would be injured much faster than today with innovations of modern technology on equipment nowadays. It also should be remembered that players then did not command the same level of salaries that they do today. Most players would work a second job in the off season, compared to the luxury players have today to train whenever they choose to.

As a kid, I once heard a long time local media type say that he figured Hanburger had over 50 quarterback sacks in his career. This, coupled by the facts that are allowed in the record book truly says that there is NO DOUBT that Chris Hanburger SHOULD BE in the NFL Hall of Fame.


IF you agree with me, then help me wake up the Senior Committee members by e-mailing them along with me and DEMANDING that CHRIS HANBURGER be put into the Hall of Fame. If we all do it, maybe they will stop ignoring the facts!

imiller@sportsxchange.com
john.mcclain@chron.com
epope@herald.com
dgoldberg@ap.org
rgosselin@dallasnews.com
jerry.magee@uniontrib.com
len.shapiro@washingtonpost.com

AL WISTERT

Al Wistert
6'1" 214
Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles
1943 - 1951
9 Seasons
95 Games Played
8 Time All Pro




Albert Alexander Wistert was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia/ Pittsburgh Steagles in 1943, the 32nd player chosen overall. The Steagles were a team that was comprised of Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers into one team because of World War II.


Al had played college football at the University of Michigan. He was a legendary two way player there. He had two brothers, Alvin and Francis, also play for the Wolverines. They all played the same position, Tackle on both sides of the ball, and wore the same number 11 jersey. Francis was the first, Albert was the second, then Alvin was last. Their number 11 jersey has been retired by Michigan University, and is one of only seven to have achieved that honor. Albert played on Wolverine teams that lost only 5 games in his three years there. He was an All American and was named the MVP of the team in 1942. One famous moment in Michigan University football history came against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Going in the locker room trailing at halftime, the Notre Dame fans told Michigan to go home because it was over. Wistert would have none of that and inspired his team mates with a pep talk that had the Wolverines fired up. Michigan rattled off 21 straight unanswered points in the third quarter and dominated Notre Dame to a 32 - 20 victory. After playing in the 1943 East West Shrine Game, Al was team captain of the College All Stars who played against the NFL World Champion Washington Redskins. Al's team stomped the Redskins, led by Hall Of Fame Quarterback Sammy Baugh, 27 - 7. Al Wistert is a member of the Michigan University Hall Of Honor, and a member of the College Football Hall Of Fame, as are both of his brothers.


Al went to his first Steagles practice knowing no one. He saw Hall Of Fame Defensive End Bill Hewitt sitting on some rocks smoking a cigarette. Al approached Hewitt to introduce himself to the fellow Wolverine Alumni who had played alongside his brother Francis in college. Hewitt had just come out of a three year retirement to play for $4,000. It was the most Hewitt had ever made in the NFL. Al had just signed with the Steagles for $4,500. Al extended his hand and introduced himself, but Hewitt did not say a word or offer his hand. Al then decided to run laps around the field by himself. Pretty soon, the entire Steagles team was following Al and running around the field. The Steagles disbanded the following season, and the Steelers and Eagles went back to being separate teams. Wistert stayed in Philadelphia. Al would make his first All Pro Team that year in 1944, and would garner this achievement for every year of the rest of his NFL career. In 1946, he was named team captain. An honor he served until 1950. The Eagles went to their first championship game in 1947, but lost to the Chicago Cardinals 28 - 21. The 1948 season saw the Eagles win their very first championship in a blizzard in a rematch against the Chicago Cardinals 7 - 0. The Eagles then went back to the NFL Championship the next year and beat the Los Angeles Rams 14 - 0 in heavy rain. The Eagles are the only team in NFL history to win back to back championships and not allow their opponents to score. Al announced he would retire after the 1951 season. The Eagles held an AL WISTERT DAY in the fourth from last home game that year. The team gave Al a brand new car, and many other gifts. One gift was a hand crafted dining room table that Al still uses this day to eat his meals off of. The Eagles then retired his #70 jersey in 1952, the first Eagle to ever have had this done. Al Wistert is a member of the NFL 1940's All Decade Team.


I find it utterly amazing that Al Wistert has yet to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame! This man truly embodies what Canton is supposed to represent. Not only was he an eight time All Pro in his nine year career, but he was a very important member of an Eagles team that dominated the NFL in the late 1940's. He introduced the NFL to the stand up style of blocking you all see today, instead of the rolling type of blocks that were employed then, which allowed Wistert to use his speed and agility to keep on blocking more defenders downfield and making him better than all the rest. Al was a true leader on and off the field. He captained a powerhouse squad full of Hall Of Fame players like Steve Van Buren, Pete Pihos, Alex Wojciechowicz, and Chuck Bednarik. His coach was Hall Of Famer Earle "Greasy" Neale. Al also gave back to the community by coaching a high school team in New Jersey over 50 miles away, even though he did not own a car. Neale liked and respected Wistert so much that he would lend his personal car daily to Wistert so Al could go teach kids how to play football. This says alot, because Neale was a noted task master. One game, Al came to the sideline to tell the coach he thought he had just broken his leg. Neale replied, " Well, get back in there until you are sure that it is." Al never missed a game in his career. He started every game of his career except the first five of his rookie season. He would soon supplant veteran Ted Doyle after the fifth game. The only other time he missed a start was in 1950 season opener against the Cleveland Browns. Wistert had a severely sprained ankle and could hardly walk, but he ended up playing most of the game anyways. A 60 minute man, he never left the field at any time. Whether it was opening up holes for runners on offense or closing them on defense, Wistert was an amazing athlete durable, strong, and cerebral. Al was the smallest Tackle in the NFL, weighing 214 pounds, but he was a master technician who would out think, outwit, out gut, and dominate his opponents on both sides of the ball for every minute of every game. Al said, "I never gave then the same thing twice. I always confounded them with a new plan of attack." His team mates dubbed him "Ox", because he was incredibly strong and dependable.


The game was much different then. A rougher and more violent game with less rules and padding for self preservation. They played games in all sorts of poor weather, unlike the climate controlled stadiums so many players enjoy today. They would spend days travelling to cities by train, instead of a few hours on an airplane like today. Just to get a taste of these times, the Eagles took a train from Philadelphia to Los Angeles after beating the Giants. Despite only having a few days in L.A., they shut out the Rams in monsoon like conditions. To say these men were tough is an understatement. They did this for the love of the game, not the love for the money. Many great football players eschewed the NFL in those days because they could earn more money outside of sports, and in other sports. Francis Wistert was given $100 by Cardinals owner Charles Bidwell just to sign a contract, even though he had no intention of ever playing in the NFL. Francis chose to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds in Major League Baseball instead of playing football. Albert Wistert decided to play professional football and was great at it. He was a 60 minute man who stayed on the field at all times. After he retired, he became successful in the life insurance business and made million dollar deals. But he chose to play football first, and he is one of the path pavers who made the NFL the multi-billion dollar empire what it is today. The fact the Eagles retired his number first, and only one year after his retirement, shows how special a football player he was. Al Wistert is also a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall Of Fame.


As the years go on, the more we tend to forget great gridiron stars like Al Wistert. The veterans committee for the Pro Football Hall Of Fame MUST be blamed for not doing the jobs they were given to do. It is plainly evident to see, with all of the accolades, that a grave injustice has been perpetrated in regards to Al. It was not lost on his fellow players. After he retired, over 23 players and NFL'ers have written to the Hall Of Fame asking that Wistert be put in. Greats ranging from Chuck Bednarik to even former Eagles owner Norm Braman. Why the voters have chosen to ignore such a rich, diverse cast of NFL Alumni requests is bewildering. There is NO QUESTION that Albert Wistert belongs in Canton.

YOU can help by signing this petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/AlOxWistertHOF/




Notable Players Drafted In 1943

( No Player From This Draft Has Yet Been Inducted Into Canton)

1. Frank Sinkwitch, QB, Detroit
3. Glenn Dobbs, RB, Chicago Cardinals
8. Dick Wildung, T, Green Bay
20. Fred Naumetz, C, Los Angeles Rams
40. Bob Dove, DE, Washington
42. Bruno Banducci, G, Philadelphia
62. Bruce Alford, E, Philadelphia
124. Buster Ramsey, G, Chicago Cardinals
132. Russ Craft, DB, Philadelphia
182. Chet Mutryn, RB, Philadelphia
224. Weldon Humble, G, Chicago Cardinals

LEE ROY JORDAN

Lee Roy Jordan
6'1" 215
Linebacker
Dallas Cowboys
1963 - 1976
14 Seasons
186 Games Played
32 Interceptions
18 Fumble Recoveries
3 Touchdowns
1 Safety
5 Pro Bowls


Lee Roy Jordan was the Dallas Cowboys first draft pick of the 1963 draft. He was the sixth player chosen overall. Jordan was already a gridiron legend in college, after a spectacular career at Alabama University. He started as soon as he was eligible as a sophomore (freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports during that time), and was the MVP of the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl. The Crimson Tide won the national championship behind Jordan's leadership, then went 10 - 1 in his senior year. In his last game with Alabama in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma University, Lee Roy piled up a whopping 30 tackles and was named the games MVP. Lee Roy Jordan is a member of the Alabama Hall Of Fame and the College Football Hall Of Fame.


Lee Roy only suited up for seven games in his rookie year, but started each game at Outside Linebacker on the left side. He ended up swiping three interceptions and recovering a fumble. Jordan would pick off one pass the next year, then none the following season. He was moved to Middle Linebacker in 1966 and would stay there the rest of his career. This was the time the famous "Doomsday Defense" was at its beginnings, and Lee Roy was the leader. He picked off one pass that year and returned it 49 yards for a score. Lee Roy had 3 interceptions the next year for a career best 85 yards, while scoring another touchdown and recording a safety. The Cowboys would end up making it to the 1967 NFL Championship Game before losing to the Green Bay Packers in the famous "Ice Bowl". Lee Roy was named to the first of three consecutive Pro Bowls that season. Jordan had 3 picks in 1968, then 2 the following year. After getting an interception in 1970, Jordan ended up playing in Super Bowl V, the first Super Bowl after the NFL/ AFL merger. The Cowboys ended up losing in the waning seconds to the Baltimore Colts in a game dubbed "The Blunder Bowl" because it was a game that featured 11 turnovers by both teams and 10 penalties against Dallas. Lee Roy had 2 interceptions in 1971, and a career best 3 fumble recoveries. The Cowboys would go on to beat the Miami Dolphins 24 - 3 in Super Bowl VI. It is the only Super Bowl where a team was prevented from scoring a touchdown. Jordan had 2 more swipes in 1972, then had a career high 6 interceptions in 1973. In one game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Texas Stadium, Jordan picked off 3 passes in a five minute span. He took one ball for a 31 yard touchdown, and was named to the Pro Bowl after the season. Lee Roy made his final All Pro Team in 1974, after having 2 interceptions. 1975 saw Jordan tie his career high of 6 interceptions, while leading the Cowboys to Super Bowl X. The Cowboys ended up losing a close game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jordan again started every game in 1976, but did not record any turnovers for only the second time of his career. He then retired after that season as the franchises all time leader in tackles, and his 32 interceptions are still tied for the third most ever by a linebacker in NFL history. Lee Roy Jordan is a member of the Cowboys Ring Of Fame.


There are a few theories as to why Jordan still awaits his call to Canton. One is that he was a member of a fantastic defense that featured Hall Of Fame Defensive Tackle Bob Lilly, along with such greats as George Andrie, Chuck Howrey, Jethro Pugh, Charlie Waters, Cornell Green, and Cliff Harris. Then there is some that say is was because of the genius diagramming of Hall Of Fame Coach Tom Landry that the "Doomsday Defense" was so effective. Others believe that the voters have some anti-Cowboys bias from that era as well. Maybe all those points have some validity, but you cannot ignore the facts that Jordan has placed in front of all to see through his play on the field. He was a true leader who always gave it everything he had on every play without fail. Not only was he a tackling machine, but the man helped get the ball back for his teams offense over 50 times in his career. Jordan gathered a turnover in every 3.72 games he played in his career, an outstanding percentage. His three interception game was named one of the ten most memorable moments in the history of in Texas Stadium in 2008. Not a big man in size or stature, Jordan's heart was immeasurable, and he was one of the top linebackers in the NFL almost every year that he played. When you see the late Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs inducted, though deservedly so, it can make one wonder. Thomas was known for just rushing the passer, and was not the complete player that Jordan was. Lee Roy Jordan certainly is deserving of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.



Notable Players Drafted In 1963 ( * Denotes Hall Of Famer )

2. Jerry Stovall, DB, St. Louis Cardinals
5. Bob Vogel, OT, Baltimore Colts
7. Pat Richter, WR/ P, Washington
13. Don Brumm, DE, St. Louis
14. Dave Robinson, LB, Green Bay
16. Bobby Bell, T, Minnesota *
17. Bob Reynolds, OT, St. Louis
18. Ray Mansfeild, OT, Philadelphia
19. John Mackey, TE, Baltimore *
21. Walter Rock, OT, San Francisco
23. Jim Kanicki, DT, Cleveland
28. Tom Brown, DB, Green Bay
35. Ron Snidow, DE, Washington
44. Paul Flatley, WR, Minnesota
47. Jerry Logan, DB, Baltimore
55. Chuck Walton, G, Detroit
88. Lee Roy Caffey, LB, Philadelphia
89. Willie Richardson, WR, Baltimore
102. Tom Woodeshick, RB, Philadelphia
114. Willis Crenshaw, RB, St. Louis
129. Jackie Smith, TE, St. Louis *
136. Bill Nelsen, QB, Pittsburgh
144. Ralph Heck, LB, Philadelphia
145. Winston Hill, OT, Baltimore
146. Ray Schoenke, G, Dallas
152. Karl Kassulke, DB, Detroit
154. Marv Fleming, TE, Green Bay
157. Chuck Walker, G, Saint Louis
186. Nate Ramsey, DB, Philadelphia
220. Andy Russell, LB, Pittsburgh
241. Larry Stallings, LB, Saint Louis
259. Jim Turner, K, Washington
265. Buck Buchanan, DT, NY Giants *
278. Homer Jones, WR, NY Giants

MICK TINGELHOFF

Mick Tingelhoff
6' 2" 237 lbs
Center
Minnesota Vikings
1962 - 1978
17 Seasons
240 Games Played (Consecutive)
6 Pro Bowls




Henry Michael Tingelhoff was an undrafted rookie signed by the Vikings before the 1962 season. Mick earned three letters during his collegiate football career at Nebraska University, but did not start until his senior year in 1961. Mick was a co-caption on that team, which had its biggest offensive output in over five seasons. Tingelhoff participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile , Ala. , and in the All-American Bowl after the season was over. Mick Tingelhoff is a member of the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.



Mick earned the starting job at Center in the second preseason game of his rookie year. It was a role he would not relinquish until he retired after 1978. He made his first All Pro team in 1964, and would attain that honor every year until 1969. 1969 was the year the Vikings were crowned NFL Champions, and went on to play the AFL Champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV and lose. He was named to the 1,000-Yard Club in 1969, honoring the NFL’s top blocker. In 1970, he was named to the First Team All NFL by both the Pro Football Writers and Pro Football Weekly. He was named First Team All Conference by the Associated Press and Pro Football Weekly. He was named Second Team All NFL by Newspaper Ent. Association and Second Team All Conference by the UPI. The Vikings went back to the Super Bowl in 1973, before losing to the Miami Dolphins. The Vikings returned to the Super Bowl the following season, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Vikings continued to be an NFL powerhouse throughout the decade and returned to Super Bowl XI in 1976, but lost to the Oakland Raiders. Mick returned after the 1978 season having started every game the Vikings played his entire career. His 240 consecutive starts were then the second most in NFL history, thirty starts behind his Vikings team mate Jim Marshall. The only player in Nebraska University history to enjoy a longer NFL career was Tingelhoff's Husker teammate, Ron McDole, who spent 18 years in the league from 1961 to 1978. Mick has been inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor and has had his #53 jersey retired by the franchise.


Mick's omission from Canton is one of the most confusing in all of my CCC profilees. The numbers are obvious. Mick was one of the most dominant Center's of his era, and defined the true definition of an iron horse. You can easily note his consecutive starts streak, the fact he was a Pro Bowler six straight seasons, and was part of the most dominant team in the NFC during the 1970's. The Vikings were a well balanced offense that scored points off the ground and via the air. Tingelhoff snapped the ball to such great NFL QB'S like Hall Of Famer Fran Tarkenton and Joe Kapp. He also helped pave the way for Vikings great Chuck Foreman, and others, to gain huge chunks of yardage. Much of the yardage Tarkenton acquired thru the air to set a then NFL record in passing yards and passing touchdowns were helped along by Mick's protection. He was a sound technical blocker who used his intelligence, grit, and determination to get the job done better than most Centers who ever played the game. The fact that the voters have passed on him over these years truly shows many hardly pay attention to the battles in the trenches. There is absolutely no question that Mick Tingelhoff belongs in the NFL Hall Of Fame.




Notable Players Noted in 1962 (* Denotes Hall Of Famer)

1. Ernie Davis, RB, Washington
2. Roman Gabriel, QB, Los Angeles Rams
3. Merlin Olsen, DT, LA Rams *
4. Gary Collins, WR, Cleveland
8. Lance Alworth, WR, San Francisco *
10. John Hadl, QB, Detroit
12. Irv Goode, G, Saint Louis Cardinals
16. Joe Carollo, G, LA Rams
40. Pat Holmes, DE, Philadelphia
43. Billy Neighbors, G, Washington
66. Dan Birdwell, DT, Detroit
82. George Andrie, DE, Dallas
88. Jim Bakken, K, LA Rams
93. Fred Miller, DT, Baltimore Colts
104. Gary Ballman, WR, Pittsburgh
115. Ike Lassiter, DE, LA Rams
151. Clifton McNeil, WR, Cleveland
163. Bake Turner, WR, Baltimore
211. Tommy Brooker, DE, Washington
220. Tom Sestak, DT, Detroit
249. Sonny Bishop, G, Cleveland