Irvin, HOF?

[joejoejoejoe]

I think it is disgraceful that the NFL decided to induct Michael Irvin into the Hall of Fame. First, he really was not that great of a player. Yes he made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams a few times but was he that "special." I doubt it, in light of the how good Dallas' rushing attack was, see eight in the box at all time leaving single coverage on the outside. Second, his conduct off the field is horrendous and that is putting it euphemistically. If McGwire gets raked over the coals and has yet to be found guilty in any adjudicatory setting of ANYTHING. How come Irvin is so different? He has been found guilty, on multiple occasions, of multiple crimes. To think that people with such esteem such as George Halas and Vince Lombardi have to share the setting with a low-life thug, who would be in jail right now if the did not have money to pay for legal representation, is just demoralizing, puzzling and makes me not want to EVER set foot in the Hall of Fame. For shame, NFL, for shame..........Thugs go to prison not Canton.

[Mudd]

I'm sure this will get moved, so I'll reply.

Irvin is most defintely worhty of the HOF. The guy was one of the original "big" receivers that seem to be the trend today. Aikman, Irvin and Smith all complimented each other so well and all deserve it.

I'm going to take a shower now, I feel dirty.

[SB49er4life]

I think it is disgraceful that the NFL decided to induct Michael Irvin into the Hall of Fame. First, he really was not that great of a player. Yes he made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams a few times but was he that "special." I doubt it, in light of the how good Dallas' rushing attack was, see eight in the box at all time leaving single coverage on the outside. Second, his conduct off the field is horrendous and that is putting it euphemistically. If McGwire gets raked over the coals and has yet to be found guilty in any adjudicatory setting of ANYTHING. How come Irvin is so different? He has been found guilty, on multiple occasions, of multiple crimes. To think that people with such esteem such as George Halas and Vince Lombardi have to share the setting with a low-life thug, who would be in jail right now if the did not have money to pay for legal representation, is just demoralizing, puzzling and makes me not want to EVER set foot in the Hall of Fame. For shame, NFL, for shame..........Thugs go to prison not Canton.

First up, who the hell are YOU to pass judgement on anybody ? And yes, he was a great player, he was part of a 3-headed monster and GO-TO WR on one of the great dynasties ever in the NFL, love or hate the Cowboys, that is a fact because teams don't win 3 SB's in 4 years. "He won every award you could think of except MVP and won 3 Championships, but he wasn't even that good". Hope you realize how dumb that makes you sound.

Your Mark McGwire argument is laughable, at best. Mark McGwire was a steroid abuser and a cheater, that is why he gets raked over the coals, because many feel like what he did on the field wasn't faid and did it with an advantage. Glad you have the critical thinking ability of a 5 year old to be able to distinguish the difference.

What do off field crimes/issues have to do with going to the FOOTBALL Hall of Fame ? It is not the "drug free" HOF, or "cleanest record" HOF, but a place of enshrinement strictly for those who were the best FOOTBALL players, who were the most talented and accompished the most in their NFL careers. Sorry that it bothers you that a man could overcome his addiction and face his demons and go on to achieve more things in sports than you could, period.

And the use of cocaine only affected and destroyed him, not you or society, since you wanna even take it there, and if anything made things a lot more difficult than himself.

Bottom line, it is the FOOTBALL HOF, and thus only things related to the game of football in the NFL, from the start of the game to the finish, should be taken into account. Especially considering you don't all the things the other guys in the HOF DIDn't get caught with.

I just love guys like you who have never lied, cheated, stolen, or done anything to harm anyone. Perhaps the world would be better if everyone was just perfect like you.

[CSULB49er]

Irvin does deserve to go, but not before Art Monk.

[Mudd]

Irvin does deserve to go, but not before Art Monk.
I disagree completely. Art Monk was good WR, but he is no HOF'r. The only reason Monk's career stats are up there is b/c he played so long. He basically had 4-5 good years. He NEVER scored double digit TD's in a season. He only had 100+ receptions once. The best stat Monk has going for him is he is in the top five in receptions all time. But again, that is simply be cause he played for so long, not because he was great.

This, to me, is the biggest difference between the baseball HOF and the football HOF. Career #'s mean a lot more in baseball than in football, 500 homers, 300 wins ect. In football, you have to look at a players greatness. For most of hte 90's, Michale Irvin was DOMINANT. Art Monk never dominated anything. Again, he was a very good receiver. But I liken Art Monk to our own John Taylor. The only real difference is longevity. And imo, that does not get you in the Pro Football HOF.

[SB49er4life]

Irvin does deserve to go, but not before Art Monk.

No, Art Monk smoked weed in his garage two days before he retired, I swear I saw him, he doesn't belong in the football HOF because of it.

[AHDaTruth]

Ok i am going to have to agree on Joe on this one. Micheal Irvin is a bias piece of trash to me. He doesnt deserve the Hall of Fame. The man did more drugs in one year than Darryl Strawberry did in five. the man was charged with rape and countless drugs charges. The man is scum i cant stand the guy. I think this whole thing is a disgrace to the NFL and man who are left out of the Hall of Fame such as Art Monk.

[dhimiter]

art monk is much better the irvin, he never broke a record, never shined as an impressive role model, his team one three super bowls and 21 other guys on him team should go before him. F him.

Richard Dent too got passed up, he was an outstanding DE.

[InuYashaSama]

Having Michael Irvin going to the Hall of Fame is like having Bill Wilton of the NBA going to the Hall of Fame.. They both don't deserve it. Bill Wilton had a good few years in his early career, and got injured which ended his career. Doesn't mean that he will continue those great years in the long term. Besides, only stat that stands out was the rebounding for him. If you can make the Hall of Fame for rebounding, why Dennis Rodman was not elected to the Hall of Fame as well?

[NyNinerFan]

Michael Irvin was a dominant receiver on the field and was the undisputed team LEADER and a proven WINNER as a football player. To say that he doesn't deserve to go to the hall of fame is just ignorant. Many people may hate him or dislike the way he articulates himself as an analyst with all his homerism, biases, etc etc (ME!).. But you can't discredit his contribution on the field. Even the biggest Cowgirl hater in the world (ME!) can admit that.

And as far as character and how you carry yourself off the field. Those excuses tend to come from the most hypocritical people who've walked this earth. Take a look at all the drug abusers, spitball throwers, RACISTS, and all other lovely character types that are in the baseball hall of fame. The same people who voted for those people to get into the hall of fame won't vote for Barry Bonds on the first ballot because "he was a jackazz and such a disrespectful jerk to the media". These types of people shouldn't be allowed to vote.

Your opinions are your opinions. The FACT remains that this is the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not the "only angels with halos" Hall of Fame. And as a Professional Football player in his era (the 90's), Michael Irvin was a dominant player, a big game playmaker (we should know), and a WINNER! Period!
And this is comin' from someone who thoroughly can't stand ANYTHING about the Girls. But mature people can put their emotions aside and think rationally. Try it. It's not that hard. :bohoo:

[fanfromcan]

Monk before Irvin IMO

[BladeX]

I think it is disgraceful that the NFL decided to induct Michael Irvin into the Hall of Fame. First, he really was not that great of a player. Yes he made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams a few times but was he that "special." I doubt it, in light of the how good Dallas' rushing attack was, see eight in the box at all time leaving single coverage on the outside. Second, his conduct off the field is horrendous and that is putting it euphemistically. If McGwire gets raked over the coals and has yet to be found guilty in any adjudicatory setting of ANYTHING. How come Irvin is so different? He has been found guilty, on multiple occasions, of multiple crimes. To think that people with such esteem such as George Halas and Vince Lombardi have to share the setting with a low-life thug, who would be in jail right now if the did not have money to pay for legal representation, is just demoralizing, puzzling and makes me not want to EVER set foot in the Hall of Fame. For shame, NFL, for shame..........Thugs go to prison not Canton.


:rolleyes2:

Yes, he deserves to go.

[FLNiner]

Your Mark McGwire argument is laughable, at best. Mark McGwire was a steroid abuser and a cheater, that is why he gets raked over the coals, because many feel like what he did on the field wasn't faid and did it with an advantage. Glad you have the critical thinking ability of a 5 year old to be able to distinguish the difference.

What do off field crimes/issues have to do with going to the FOOTBALL Hall of Fame ? It is not the "drug free" HOF, or "cleanest record" HOF, but a place of enshrinement strictly for those who were the best FOOTBALL players, who were the most talented and accompished the most in their NFL careers. Sorry that it bothers you that a man could overcome his addiction and face his demons and go on to achieve more things in sports than you could, period.



Hey Pete Rose isn't in the hall of fame because of his off the field actions. I think OP is just saying the NFL has lowered the quality of its hall by allowing someone like Irvin in with his off the field issues.

[OStigers2000]

Yea what were they thinking, he didn't even have the consideration to offer us long white lines :laugh:

[Nevyn]

I think it is disgraceful that the NFL decided to induct Michael Irvin into the Hall of Fame. First, he really was not that great of a player. Yes he made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams a few times but was he that "special." I doubt it, in light of the how good Dallas' rushing attack was, see eight in the box at all time leaving single coverage on the outside. Second, his conduct off the field is horrendous and that is putting it euphemistically. If McGwire gets raked over the coals and has yet to be found guilty in any adjudicatory setting of ANYTHING. How come Irvin is so different? He has been found guilty, on multiple occasions, of multiple crimes. To think that people with such esteem such as George Halas and Vince Lombardi have to share the setting with a low-life thug, who would be in jail right now if the did not have money to pay for legal representation, is just demoralizing, puzzling and makes me not want to EVER set foot in the Hall of Fame. For shame, NFL, for shame..........Thugs go to prison not Canton.

Its the hall of fame not the hall of nice guys. Irvin belongs whether you like him or not. This wasn't first ballot, Irvin missed it last year. McGwire might eventually make it too. Meanwhile, continuing to use baseball as an example, Irvin is an angel compared to Ty Cobb.

[jmichura]

1) Like it or not, off-field activities have nothing to do with getting into the HoF for football. Other leagues have different rules.

2) Pete Rose? You kidding me? He gambled on games, which is a huge sin in sports.

3) His love for his teams, friends, etc does not invalidate him as a HoF receiver. Maybe as a journalist, but not as a HoF PLAYER!!!

[Eric 80]

Most of you guys are just haters.

[LOrd DRen]

This sux big tyme. This fool #88 got in and not Art Monk.

[BY97]

Firstly, MLB and the NFL have different rules and different standards. Agree or not, that's just the way it is.

Secondly, If a drug problem is enough to prevent a player from being voted into the HOF, then Lawrence Taylor shouldn't be there either.

[BIrwin49]

I think it is disgraceful that the NFL decided to induct Michael Irvin into the Hall of Fame. First, he really was not that great of a player. Yes he made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams a few times but was he that "special." I doubt it, in light of the how good Dallas' rushing attack was, see eight in the box at all time leaving single coverage on the outside. Second, his conduct off the field is horrendous and that is putting it euphemistically.

I just love Niner fans who bring up other teams talent, but when a Niner is brought up as being great, they forget how much **** talent was on their teams.

Irvin deserves to be in and should of been in last year. What did making him wait a year do? Nothing at all. He should of went in with Aikman. Irvin was also the heart and soul of that team. And you didn't always see eight in the box, Irvin was doubled quite a bit.

Take your Cowboy hate down a notch.

[NyNinerFan]

Hey Pete Rose isn't in the hall of fame because of his off the field actions. I think OP is just saying the NFL has lowered the quality of its hall by allowing someone like Irvin in with his off the field issues.


But Pete Rose's actions off the field had a direct impact as to what was goin on ON the field. I strayed away from using his name because it doesn't really apply in the same degree here. What Pete Rose did was completely disrespect and almost make a mockery over the sport that he played by challenging its integrity. That's a complete separate issue than someone who sniffs some coke on his own free time off the field.. (hate to sound so blunt, but it is what it is). He only hurt himself with those decisionis. No one else.
When Pete Rose goes out and gambles on baseball games that he was managin' and that he was a part of, that DIRECTLY affects the players, his game-time decisions, the owners, general managers. of not only his team, but other teams as well. Not even CLOSE of a comparison here.

[NyNinerFan]

Its the hall of fame not the hall of nice guys. Irvin belongs whether you like him or not. This wasn't first ballot, Irvin missed it last year. McGwire might eventually make it too. Meanwhile, continuing to use baseball as an example, Irvin is an angel compared to Ty Cobb.


THANK YOU!!!

[NyNinerFan]

Most of you guys are just haters.


True. And the biggest lovers sometimes are the biggest haters.
But when all else fails, we have to be mature enough to put the emotions aside sometimes. That's all.

[BIrwin49]

Some of the others have been passed over prior years, that should tell you something.

[Speedy]

If nobody else on that list, I definitely can't believe Derrick Thomas keeps being snubbed from the final list. The guy was dominating.

[andyfi]

Hall of fame loses all credibility with this one! Where is he in the record book nowhere.750 catches c'mon what about ark monk.

[Vinny]

Michael Irvin is one of the greatest WR's I've ever seen play. I don't care for him personally, but he was awesome on the field...and that is what this is all about; recognizing the greatest players ever so that your children can see who dominated the league even though they never saw them play.

[BIrwin49]

WOW, you are joking right? heart and soul!:throw:

Nope, not at all. Many Cowboy players as well as past coaches have said Irvin was the heart and soul of that team.

[Vinny]

Imagine how poor Bruce Matthews must feel after all of his great years as a player to be overshadowed by the likes of Michael Irvan? It must be sickening.:thud:I used to work out with Munchak and Matthews when they owned a Gold's gym in Houston many moons ago (I'm an ex powerlifter)....he doesn't give a crap, trust me.....take it fwiw.

[daredevil2-5]

WOW, you are joking right? heart and soul!:throw:
Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and pretty much every name on that team agrees with him.

[RedskinsFan86]

Nope, not at all. Many Cowboy players as well as past coaches have said Irvin was the heart and soul of that team. The same way many Redskins, Cowboys, and other players and coaches have said Monk was the heart and soul of the Redskins offense for their Super Bowls.

The fact is Irvin got in when he did because he's always been a mouthy guy and he's still in the media on his ESPN gig promoting himself and his cause (how often does he go on random tangents about his Super Bowl rings or "knowing a thing or two about being a great wide reciever"), and he played on the Cowboys, the team the NFL and its media has the biggest crush on.

[BIrwin49]

The same way many Redskins, Cowboys, and other players and coaches have said Monk was the heart and soul of the Redskins offense for their Super Bowls.

The fact is Irvin got in when he did because he's always been a mouthy guy and he's still in the media on his ESPN gig promoting himself and his cause (how often does he go on random tangents about his Super Bowl rings or "knowing a thing or two about being a great wide reciever"), and he played on the Cowboys, the team the NFL and its media has the biggest crush on.
I'm not saying Monk should or shouldn't be in there. I just brought up that I thought Irvin should .

[RedskinsFan86]

I'm not saying Monk should or shouldn't be in there. I just brought up that I thought Irvin should . Yeah, and I fully agree, he was a great reciever who was part of that triple threat of Aikman/Irvin/Smith with one of the most dominant offensive lines in history and rightfully should be in the HOF. I couldn't care less about his off the field antics in this situation. If you can abuse Darrell Green the way Irvin did, probably the only reciever to really consistently beat him too, then that's good enough for me and most other Redskins fans even. I'm just saying he shouldn't have gotten in so early, especially over Monk, but the reason he did was because he's in the media ALL the time and is a constant source of attention and publicity for himself. It just makes it that much easier to get the votes when you're around the public as much as he is, and also when you played on the Cowboys of course.

[NyNinerFan]

The same way many Redskins, Cowboys, and other players and coaches have said Monk was the heart and soul of the Redskins offense for their Super Bowls.

The fact is Irvin got in when he did because he's always been a mouthy guy and he's still in the media on his ESPN gig promoting himself and his cause (how often does he go on random tangents about his Super Bowl rings or "knowing a thing or two about being a great wide reciever"), and he played on the Cowboys, the team the NFL and its media has the biggest crush on.

Hard to disagree with that.
What a slap in the face to a player like Art Monk.
Kudos to Mark Schlereth for callin' them all out on national tv and exposing the fraud behind the voting process.