As we await tonight’s National Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia, the College Football Hall of Fame announced the 21-man Class of 2022.  This year, 18 players and three Coaches were chosen.

Players:

LaVar Arrington.  Linebacker, Penn State, 1997-99.  Arrington was a product of “Linebacker U” under Joe Paterno, and in 1999 he was so dominant that he was ninth in Heisman voting, and won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Dick Butkus Award.  He also was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year.  The two-time All-American went on to play in the NFL for the Washington Redskins, earning three Pro Bowls.

Champ Bailey.  Defensive Back, Georgia, 1996-98.  Bailey was one of the best defensive players in Bulldogs history, winning the 1998 Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top player.  In addition to his defensive prowess, Bailey was also a decent Wide Receiver and Returner, and was the team’s star in their 1998 Peach Bowl win.  Bailey went on to have a Pro Football Hall of Fame career, and went to 12 Pro Bowls in a career split between Washington and Denver.

Michael Crabtree.  Wide Receiver, Texas Tech, 2007-08.  Crabtree played two seasons for the Red Raiders, winning the Fred Biletnikoff as the top Wide Receiver in both years.  He accumulated 3,127 Receiving Yards with 41 Touchdowns for the school, and he would have 7,499 Yards with 54 TDs as a pro playing for San Francisco, Oakland, Baltimore and Arizona.

Sylvester Croom.  Center, Alabama, 1972-74.  Croom helped lead Alabama to three SEC Titles and the National Championship in 1973.  After playing one year for the New Orleans Saints, he would have a long history as a coach, punctuated by winning the SEC Coach of the Year in 2007 at Mississippi State.

Mike Doss.  Safety, Ohio State, 1999-02.  Doss was a three-time First Team All-Big Ten Selection, and had 331 Tackles, eight Interceptions and eight Sacks over his collegiate career.  His highlight was winning the Fiesta Bowl MVP in the BCS National Championship Game, and he was also the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year.  Doss would later win a Super Bowl with Indianapolis Colts.

Chuck Ealey.  Quarterback, Toledo, 1969-71.   Ealey was a three-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year and was eighth in Heisman voting in 1971.  The Quarterback threw for an even 5,000 Yards and 42 Touchdowns for the Rockets.  The African-American was passed over by the NFL, but he had a long career in the CFL.

Kevin Faulk.  Running Back, LSU, 1995-98.  Faulk rushed for 4,557 Yards for LSU, which at the time was second time all-time in SEC history.  Also accumulating another 600 Yards, Faulk had 53 Touchdowns for the school.  He would later help New England win three Super Bowls, and he won a National Championship as LSU’s Running Backs Coach in 2020.

Moe Gardner.  Defensive Tackle, Illinois, 1987-90.  Gardner was a two-time Consensus All-American who helped the Illini win the 1989 Citrus Bowl.  Gardner was named the 1989 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and was the Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1890.  He would later play six seasons in the NFL for Atlanta.

Boomer Grigsby.  Linebacker, Illinois State, 2001-04.  A three-time Division I-AA All-American, Grigsby was the three-time Gateway Player of the Year.  The Linebacker finished second in his sophomore season for the Buck Buchanan Award as top defensive player in I-AA.  He later played three years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mike Hass.  Wide Receiver, Oregon State, 2002-05.  Hass won the Biletnikoff Award as a Senior and amassed 3,924 Receiving Yards with 20 Touchdowns for the Beavers.  He later played professionally for Chicago and Seattle.

Marvin Jones.  Linebacker, Florida State, 1990-92.  A two-time All-American with the Seminoles, Jones won the Butkus and Lombardi Awards in 1992.   Jones later plated 11 seasons with the New York Jets.

Andrew Luck.  Quarterback, Stanford, 2009-11.  Luck was the Heisman Trophy winner in 2010 and 2011, and he captured the PAC-10/12 Offensive Player of the Year in both seasons.  In 2011, Luck also won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.  Luck threw for 9,430 Yards and 82 Touchdowns, and had a successful career with the Indianapolis Colts. 

Mark Messner.  Defensive Tackle, Michigan, 1985-88.  Messner was a four-time First Team All-Big Ten player, and the 1986 Fiesta Bowl Co-MVP as well as the 1988 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.  Messner overall had 248 Tackles, 70 Tackles for Loss and 36 Sacks.

Terry Miller.  Running Back, Oklahoma State, 1974-77.  Miller rushed for 4,754 Yards with 49 Touchdowns for the Cowboys, and was the runner-up to Earl Campbell for the 1977 Heisman.  He later played for Buffalo and Seattle.

Rashaan Salaam.  Running Back, Colorado, 1992-94.  In 1994, Salaam won the Heisman, Walter Camp Award and Doak Walker Award, and led the Buffaloes to a 1995 Fiesta Bowl win.  Salaam rushed for 2,005 Yards with 24 Touchdowns that year, and later played pro ball with Chicago and Cleveland.

Dennis Thomas.  Center, Alcorn State, 1971-73.  Thomas was a two-time All-American, and made history as the first (and to date) only Lineman to win the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Zach Wiegert.  Offensive Tackle, Nebraska, 1991-94.  Wiegert dominated the O-Line for the Cornhuskers and won the Outland Trophy and Jim Parker Trophy in 1994.  He was also a three-time First Team All-Big Eight Selection and professionally would play for St. Louis, Jacksonville and Houston.

Roy Williams.  Defensive Back, Oklahoma, 1999-01.  Williams had nine Interceptions for the Sooners and was a part of the team that won the National Championship in 2000.  A two-time First Team All-Big 12 Selection, Williams won the Bronko Nagurski Award, Jim Thorpe Award and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2001.  He later went to five Pro Bowls as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

Coaches:

John Luckhardt.  222-70-2.  Washington & Jefferson 1982-98, California 2002-11.

Billy Jack Murphy.  91-44-1.  Memphis 1958-71.  

Gary Pinkel.  191-110-3.  Toledo 1991-00, Missouri 2001-15.  Pinkel was a two-time MAC Coach of the Year, one-time SEC Coach of the Year and won two Cotton Bowls.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the newest members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Exit Peyton Manning.  Enter Andrew Luck.

Exit Peyton Manning.  Enter Andrew Luck.

Everybody knew that Andrew Luck was going to be the first overall pick in 2012 as it was widely believed that the Stanford superstar was going to be a difference-maker in the National Football League.  The Colts, who had Peyton Manning, had to watch their stud Quarterback sit out that year resulting in Indianapolis having a terrible year and drafting #1 overall, which of course led to Luck donning the horseshoe.  How appropriate is that?

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Our focus now shifts towards the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award in the NFL.  Relatively speaking, this is a new award, so there won’t be too many players to dissect here.  How many of these winners made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

None.

The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Doug Flutie, Buffalo Bills, Quarterback (1998)

The first winner of this award did not come back from injury.  He came back from Canada.  Doug Flutie was the hero whose Hail Mary won the Orange Bowl for Boston College against Miami.  The Quarterback was considered too short for the NFL and he would play in the USFL and Canada, though he would have stints in the NFL with Chicago and New England, though his run with the Patriots ended in 1989.  A decade later, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills and at age 36, he would play in 13 Games and throw for 2,711 Yards, 20 Touchdowns and go to the Pro Bowl.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young, San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Tackle (1999)

Bryant Young suffered a severe broken leg late in 1998 and a metal rod had to be placed to assist his healing.  Young would return in 1999 with an 11.0 Sack season and a selection to the Pro Bowl.  He would play until 2007 and would record 89.5 Sacks in total.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Johnson, New Orleans Saints, Defensive End(2000)

Joe Johnson was a Pro Bowler for the Saints in 1998, but a knee injury kept him out of the entire 1999 Season.  The Defensive End would come back in 2000 with his second (and final) Pro Bowl Selection and he would have a career-high 12.0 Sacks this year.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 49ers, Running Back (2001)

Garrison Hearst rushed for over 1,500 Yards in 1998, but he had to sit out two years due to Avascular Necrosis.  Many thought Hearst was done for good, but he returned in 2001 to the Niners and would rush for 1,206 Yards and go to his second (and final) Pro Bowl.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Tommy Maddox, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback(2002)

Tommy Maddox played in the NFL from 1992 to 1995 with three different teams but the backup saw limited action and actually left football.  He came back in the Arena League in 2000, and then would be the MVP in the lone season of the XFL.  That was enough to make him desirable to the NFL again and he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their backup.  He would become their starter in 2002 and threw for 2,836 Yards and 20 TDs.  He would play until 2005.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Jon Kitna, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (2003)

Jon Kitna was not coming back from injury or another league, but rather had one of the best years of his career.  He would throw for 3,591 Yards and a career-high 26 Touchdowns.  He played until 2011 and would overall throw for 29,745 Yards.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots, Linebacker(2005)

In 2004, Tedy Bruschi went to his first (and only) Pro Bowl.  Shortly after the Pro Bowl Game, Bruschi suffered a minor stroke and partial paralysis. He announced that he would miss the 2005 season, but that wouldn’t be the case.  The Linebacker returned in October and played nine Games for the Patriots that year.  He would co-win this award Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Chad Pennington, New York Jets, Quarterback (2006)

In 2005, Chad Pennington suffered multiple injuries and was only able to play in three Games.  2006 was a much different season as he started all 16 Games for the Jets and would throw for 3,352 Yards and 17 Touchdowns.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys, Linebacker (2007)

A ruptured Achilles ended Ellis’ 2006 Season after nine games, and he would return in 2007 with his best year ever. Ellis would go to the Pro Bowl for the only time and he had a career-high 12.5 Sacks.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (2) (2008)

After winning this award in 2006, Pennington had a bad 2007 beset with injuries and poor play.  He was released by the Jets (who had signed Brett Favre) and Pennington would join the Miami Dolphins as a Free Agent.  He would take Miami to the Playoffs and would throw for a career-high of 3,653 Passing Yards.  Sure enough, he would suffer shoulder problems and would only play four more games in his career.  To date, Pennington is the only repeat winner of this award.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award in the National Football League who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers, Wide Receiver (2005)

In the first game of the 2004 Season, Smith would break his leg and would be out for the season.  He would return in 2005 and put forth the best season of his career with an NFL leading 103 Receptions, 1,563 Receiving Yards, and 12 Receiving Touchdowns.  He would be named a First Team All-Pro this year.  Smith was the co-winner of this award with Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots.  Smith is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2010)

Due to his involvement in a dog fighting ring, Michael Vick was suspended for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, most of which was spent while incarcerated.  The Quarterback would return in 2009 to the Philadelphia Eagles as Donovan McNabb’s backup and in 2010 he began the year backing up Kevin Kolb.  Vick won the starting job after Kolb was knocked out with a concussion and he would go on to have an excellent season.  He would throw for 3,018 Yards with 21 Touchdowns and would rush for another 676 Yards and 9 Touchdowns.  He would go to his fourth Pro Bowl and was also named the Bert Bell Award winner.  Vick is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (2012)

Who else could it be?  Peyton Manning missed the entire 2011 campaign due to neck surgery and the Colts gad drafted Andrew Luck to replace him.  Manning would sign with the Denver Broncos and picked up right where he left off.  Named a First Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler, Manning threw for 4,659 Yards and 37 Touchdowns.  He is the first player to be named a First Team All-Pro while winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year.  Manning is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Rob Gronkowski, Denver Broncos, Tight End (2014)

Ron Gronkowski was the first Tight End to win he AP Comeback Player of the Year Award and the New England Patriot recovered incredibly from a torn ACL and MCL from December of the year previous.  “Gronk” would be named a First Team All-Pro, win the Super Bowl and would secure 82 catches for 1,124 Yards and 12 Touchdowns. Gronkowski is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers, Wide Receiver(2016)

Jordy Nelson was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2014 but would have to sit out 2015 due to a torn ACL.  Nelson returned in 2016 to record 1,257 Receiving Yards and an NFL leading 14 Touchdown Receptions.  Nelson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2018)

Andrew Luck had to sit out the entire 2017 season due to issues with his throwing shoulder and he returned in 2018 to secure his fourth Pro Bowl.  He would throw for 4,593 Yards and 39 Touchdowns  Luck would shockingly retire during the 2019 training camp.  Nelson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award who are still active.

Drew Brees, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (2004)

It is hard to believe now, but Drew Brees was struggling to keep his starting Quarterback job in 2003 when he was with the San Diego Chargers.  This was his rebound year as he was holding off the 1^stRound Pick, Philip Rivers from taking his job.  In 2003, Brees would throw for 3,159 Yards and 27 Touchdowns.  He would be named to his first Pro Bowl.  40 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2009)

Tom Brady only played in one game in 2008 due to a torn ACL and MCL.  He returned to the exact form you would expect throwing for 4,398 Yards and 28 Touchdowns and going to his fifth Pro Bowl.  42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Quarterback (2011)

An injured shoulder limited Matthew Stafford to only three games in 2010, but he returned in 2011 and threw for 5,038 Yards and 41 Touchdowns, both of which are career-highs as of this writing.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Lions.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (2013)

Philip Rivers performed well in 2012 but the perception was not that it was not good enough.  In 2013, he did better than the year before with an NFL leading 69.5 Completion Percentage.  He would also throw for 4,478 Yards and 32 Touchdowns.  38 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs, Strong Safety (2015)

Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014 after having been named to the Pro Bowl three times.  Berry returned as a First Team All-Pro and recorded 77 Tackles for the Chiefs in 2015.  31 Years Old, Currently a Free Agent.

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers, Wide Receiver (2017)

In the 2016 season opener, Keenan Allen suffered a torn ACL and would miss the rest of the year.  The Wide Receiver would return to have what is his best year to date. Allen would made his first Pro Bowl and post a career-high 1,393 Receiving Yards.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

For the first time we have an award that has generated NO Hall of Famers, but this won’t always be the case with Manning, Brees and Brady as Hall of Fame locks.

We are going to back to the NHL and look at the Bill Masterton Award.

As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!

This is a stunner.

A couple of weeks ago, The Indianapolis Colts were hopeful that their star Quarterback, Andrew Luck would be able to start Week 1 after dealing with a calc/ankle injury.  A few days ago, they weren’t certain that he would be able to make it for the first regular season game, but would eventually be ready early in the season.  Not only is he not going to play this season, he has announced that he will formally retire for the National Football League at age 29.

Luck was the first overall pick in the 2012 Draft and would be named to the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. In 2014, he threw for a league leading 40 Touchdown Passes, with a career high 4,761 Yards.

Injuries piled up on the pivot and he was forced to sit out the entire 2017 season, though came back last year to throw for 4,593 Yards and 39 TDs.  He would go to his fourth (and presumably, final) Pro Bowl and was named the Comeback Player of the Year.

Often, when players retire, we assume they will stay retired, despite the fact that players have bucked that and returned shortly after.  Perhaps, because of his age and his citing of “mental” reason as opposed to physical, we think there is a good chance that we will see him again and selfishly we hope so.   This was one of the best QBs at one time, and pundits and fans still felt that there was a lot left in what was pegged once as a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.  

As it stands now, Luck is unlikely to make Canton.

Taking our “Hall of Fame” hat off, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are hopeful that Andrew Luck heals and enjoys his post-playing career.