The lamentable underrepresentation of the Broncos in the sport’s shrine could be somewhat alleviated later this year.
Gary Zimmerman will be the lone Bronco up for discussion when the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s board of selectors meets the day before Super Bowl XLI to decide this year’s enshrinees.
Zimmerman is part of a group that does not include Randy Gradishar and Terrell Davis, both of whom were eliminated as the group of 25 semifinalists was whittled down to 17 finalists as announced today in Canton, Ohio.
Davis was in his first year of eligibility.
Gradishar has been eligible for 17 years, but has only been a finalist once — in 2003, when he and Zimmerman became the first to be finalists based in large part on their careers as Broncos. (Hall of Famers Willie Brown and Tony Dorsett both played in Denver, but spent the bulk of their standout days in Oakland and Dallas, respectively).
For Zimmerman, this is his fourth time on the finalist list. In addition to his 2003 finalist status, he was also among the group in 2004 and 2006. He is, at present, the only Hall-eligible player to be named to two All-Decade teams and not be among the men honored with a bust in the museum, which was established in 1963.
Seven Broncos were on the list of preliminary nominees: Steve Atwater, Davis, Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg, Dan Reeves, Louis Wright and Zimmerman. Atwater, Mecklenburg, Reeves and Wright were trimmed from the list when it was narrowed to 25 semifinalists in November.
So what do you think? What other Broncos deserve the proper due in Canton? Discuss below …
Tags: Gary Zimmerman, Hall of Fame, Randy Gradishar, Terrell Davis
I am glad for Gary Zimmerman – but I’m really disappointed once again for Randy Gradishar. I loved watching Randy and Tom Jackson play. Those Orange Crush days still lives on – even if it’s in my mind.
As much as I think TD will always be one of the best running backs of all time…in his prime. Part of the Hall of Fame is longevity. It is unfortunately that his stellar career was so short or he would have been a shoo-in. I like Zim and I’d also like my childhood defensive idols of Dennis Smith and Steve Atwater get in, but I may just have to settle for Steve. He deserves it…I’ll never forget the beat down he put on the Nigerian Nightmare on Monday Night Football.
As for the older Broncos…alas I am too young to personally remember those days, but from the highlight reels many seem to have been forgotten by the Hall of Fame powers.
Two words – Lionel Taylor.
Watch the new NFL Films DVD on the history of the Broncs and you’ll see why.
TD should get in someday. He did have a short career but he did so much in that time. League MVP, 2000 yards, 8 straight 100 yard playoff games, Superbowl MVP. Gale Sayers had a short career. Not saying TD is as good as Sayers but he should get in. Howie Long got in TD was certainly a better running back than Long was a D-Lineman.
Who cares the Pro Football Hall of Fame has proved once again that it is a Joke. Also Peter King is fat and stupid.
Its a tragedy that Steve Atwater was eliminated this year…plain and simple. He may not have been the best Saftey ever, but I promise you no one was better then he was. I sure do hope Zim gets in, and im sure one day T.D. will get in too. But to eliminate Atwater from the process is down right DIRTY!! I was actually having a good day till I was reminded of this…
-tha jOKER
#27 in your program, but #1 everywhere else!!
VOTE STEVE IN!!!!!!
Steve Atwater could sure change a game! I remember when
Cincinnati was driving down the field for a potential go-ahead
score late in the game. There was a pass to the Cincinnati
receiver, which he caught at about the 20 yard line, near the edge of the
field….then came the hit from Steve Atwater….it jarred the ball loose,
Steve picked it up and ran for a touchdown…. the official called it back,
said that Steve stepped out of bounds…but the video replay (no instant
replay reversals in those days) showed that Steve never stepped out
of bounds…but it was enough to give the Broncos the ball…and the game.
Only the baseball hall of fame is more biased and full of **** when it comes to selections…
Sure, put the druggie in, but a solid guy and great football players like Atwater and Gradishar, not to mention Davis, not a chance..
It is a farce that a team that has had as much success as the Denver Broncos has 1 guy in the Hall….ONE!
Sad, sad, sad……..
-TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
How can this be???? I know I am past getting old, I must just BE OLD! How can the Bronco Fans, the Old AFL teams represented in the NFL, the historians, the media (of which I was once a 30 year member), and the idiots on the committee to elect HOF’ers forget #44 FLOYD LITTLE! He gave Denver it’s ONLY credibility for years and years! The AFL stole him, but the NFL merger took in the AFL guys accepted their stats, and Floyd played in the Broncos NFL years as well. Growing up in Denver you saw #44 everywhere! It’s sad the Hall can’t see out their respective navels (picture it…, it’ll come to you) and give Floyd his just day on the podium with the leagues All-Timers!
Maybe when the likes of Shannon Sharpe and Rod Smith get the deserved place in Canton, it will open the door for the other deserving members of that same group – ala the Pittsburgh Steelers & Dallas Cowboys. Yes those teams had some deserving players, but the selection of others on those teams can only be explained as “gift by association”. I’ll be if you poll 40 Pro Bowl WR’s and RB’s what they think of Atwater, he would be in the HOF in no time. Those of us who watched him, know.
Mirror Image
Gale Sayers Terrell Davis
1965-2001 1995-2001
991 Att. 4,956 Yds. 5.0 Avg. 39 TD 1655 Att. 7,607 Yds. 4.6 Avg. 60 TD
112 Rec. 1,307 Yds. 11.7 Avg. 9 TD 169 Rec. 1,280 Yds. 7.57 Avg. 5 TD
391 Punt Return Yards 2 TD
2,781 Kick off Return Yards 6 TD
NFL Rookie of the Year 6 TD one game 1998 NFL MVP
3 Time Pro Bowl MVP 3 Pro Bowls
NFL 1960’s All Decade Team NFL 1990’s All Decade Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team 1997 Super Bowl MVP 157 Yds. 3 TD
8 Post Season Games
204 Att. 1,140 Yds. 5.6 Avg. 19 TD
19 Rec. 131 Yds. 6.89 Avg.
We’ll try this again, differently.
Gale Sayers
1965-2001
991 Att. 4,956 Yds. 5.0 Avg. 39 TD
112 Rec. 1,307 Yds. 11.7 Avg. 9 TD
391 Punt Return Yards 2 TD
2,781 Kick off Return Yards 6 TD
NFL Rookie of the Year 6 TD one game
3 Time Pro Bowl MVP
NFL 1960’s All Decade Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
Terrell Davis
1995-2001
1655 Att. 7,607 Yds. 4.6 Avg. 60 TD
169 Rec. 1,280 Yds. 7.57 Avg. 5 TD
1998 NFL MVP
3 Pro Bowls
NFL 1990’s All Decade Team
1997 Super Bowl MVP 157 Yds. 3 TD
8 Post Season Games
204 Att. 1,140 Yds. 5.6 Avg. 19 TD
19 Rec. 131 Yds. 6.89 Avg.
7 Straight 100 Yd Post Season Games
I just don’t understand why Denver don’t get any respect. Sure, John Elway was the man on offense and leadership. But, Steve Atwater, Zimmerman, Terral Davis, not to mention Randy Gradishar are all once in a lifetime players. Oh ya! Let Michael Irvin who had a VERY BLEMISHED career who loved to party be one of the finalist. I think they should evaluate who selects and let some new blood and people who know football do that job. This HOF is starting to turn into a JOKE.
Defensive Driving