20 NFL Legends Who Got Snubbed by the Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is supposed to be the ultimate honor. It’s the place where the greatest players in NFL history get their forever status. Unfortunately, the selection process isn’t perfect, and every year, deserving legends get passed over.
Some of the biggest names in football history are still waiting for Canton to call despite dominating their eras. Yet, for reasons that make little sense, the Hall of Fame committee has continued to look the other way. Here are 20 NFL legends who deserve a spot but are still waiting for their moment.
L.C. Greenwood
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The Steelers’ legendary “Steel Curtain” defense had four Hall of Famers. L.C. Greenwood should have been the fifth. He helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls, made six Pro Bowls, and racked up 73.5 sacks. The guy even wore gold cleats before they were cool. Yet, he did not have a gold jacket.
Randy Gradishar
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Randy Gradishar led the Broncos’ brutal “Orange Crush” defense and racked up more than 2,000 tackles. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 and made seven Pro Bowls. He was everywhere on the field, but somehow, he’s nowhere in the Hall of Fame.
Al Wistert
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Before the Super Bowl was even a thing, Al Wistert was dominating. He helped the Eagles win back-to-back championships in 1948 and 1949. He was a four-time First-Team All-Pro and a team captain for years. He even made the NFL’s 1940s All-Decade Team.
Jim Marshall
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Playing 282 straight games as a defensive lineman is ridiculous. Jim Marshall was the heart of the Vikings’ “Purple People Eaters” defense and helped lead them to four Super Bowls. He was a warrior. The Hall of Fame loves durability, except when it comes to Marshall.
Ken Anderson
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Ken Anderson established numbers that still hold up today, yet the Hall of Fame continues to do without him. He was also one of the most accurate passers of his time. He won the 1981 NFL MVP and took the Bengals to their first Super Bowl. He also led the league in passing yards twice.
Roger Craig
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Roger Craig did what modern running backs dream of—he rushed AND caught passes like an absolute machine. In 1985, he became the first player to top 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. He won three Super Bowls and changed the game without any recognition in the Hall of Fame.
Reggie Wayne
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Reggie Wayne put up over 14,000 receiving yards and 82 touchdowns while playing in one of the most dominant offenses ever. He made six Pro Bowls and helped the Colts win a Super Bowl. If Marvin Harrison is in, why is Wayne still on the waiting list?
Torry Holt
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The Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” was a nightmare for defenses, and Torry Holt was a huge reason why. He put up over 13,000 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns. He made seven Pro Bowls and helped win a Super Bowl. How does one of the best route-runners ever not get in?
Maxie Baughan
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Maxie Baughan was the ultimate leader. He made eight Pro Bowls, won an NFL Championship with the Eagles, and was one of the smartest linebackers of his era. He coached while still playing, which is unheard of. Even though leadership and dominance mattered, he couldn’t secure a spot where it mattered the most.
Jim Tyrer
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Jim Tyrer was one of the most dominant tackles of his time, yet he’s somehow been erased from Hall of Fame conversations. He made nine All-Star teams and played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV victory.
Billy Howton
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Billy Howton’s still waiting for Canton to call. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He twice led the league in receiving and was a dominant deep threat. His records paved the way for modern wide receivers.
Steve Tasker
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If special teams matter (and they do), then Steve Tasker belongs in the Hall of Fame. He made seven Pro Bowls as a gunner for the Bills and completely changed how teams approached kick coverage. The Hall of Fame includes kickers and punters, but not Tasker.
Ottis Anderson
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Ottis Anderson rushed for over 10,000 yards and won two Super Bowls. After carrying the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXV, he was named MVP. He delivered in the biggest moments, but the Hall of Fame has ignored his contributions.
Joe Jacoby
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The Hall of Fame keeps snubbing Joe Jacoby, who was the backbone of Washington’s legendary “Hogs” offensive line. He helped win three Super Bowls and dominated defensive linemen for over a decade. His impact on the running game was undeniable.
Mark Gastineau
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Mark Gastineau was a pass-rushing monster. He set the single-season sack record with 22 in 1984 and was the first true sack artist in NFL history. His dominance forced teams to change their blocking schemes, yet his Hall of Fame case has stalled.
Clay Matthews Jr.
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Clay Matthews Jr. played 19 seasons and racked up over 1,500 tackles. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the most reliable linebackers ever. Longevity and consistency usually earn Hall of Fame votes, but Matthews is still on the outside looking in.
Hines Ward
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Hines Ward played with an edge that most receivers didn’t have. He was the Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. His physicality and reliability should have already gotten him a gold jacket, but didn’t. Not to mention, he even won two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl XL MVP.
Fred Taylor
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The Hall of Fame is still ignoring Fred Taylor, who rushed for 11,695 yards, ranking 17th all-time. He had breakaway speed and power but was constantly overlooked. Injuries kept him from more Pro Bowls, but when healthy, he was one of the most explosive backs in the game.
Patrick Willis
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Patrick Willis played only eight seasons, but he made every single one count. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a five-time First-Team All-Pro. He was the heartbeat of the 49ers’ defense and one of the best linebackers of his time. His short career is the only reason he isn’t in yet.
London Fletcher
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London Fletcher hasn’t received a Hall of Fame nod yet, even though he played in 256 straight games, which is insane for a linebacker. He recorded over 2,000 tackles and led defenses for the Rams, Bills, and Washington. His leadership and production were off the charts and demanded recognition.
Ricky Watters
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Ricky Watters was a dynamic dual-threat running back who amassed 10,643 rushing yards, 4,248 receiving yards, and 91 total touchdowns over a 10-season NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks. Even with five Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory, Ricky has been overlooked by Hall of Fame voters. Critics say it’s his lack of a single dominant season.
Rich “Tombstone” Jackson
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Rich “Tombstone” Jackson may have been inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame and the Black College Football Hall of Fame, but the NFL Hall of Fame has remained elusive for him. He was a dominant defensive end for the Denver Broncos in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but his time in the NFL was cut short by a knee injury in 1971.
Donnie Shell
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Critics have speculated that Donnie Shell’s induction was delayed because of numerous Hall of Fame teammates from the same era. Nonetheless, his legacy as a key contributor to one of the NFL’s most formidable defenses remains undeniable. He contributed to four Super Bowl victories for the Pittsburgh Steelers during his 14-season career and was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.