After the seven-year war to get Art Monk into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday along with first-ballot inductee Darrell Green, Redskins fans have one question — who’s next?
The Redskins have a long list of overlooked stars. Chris Hanburger, Pat Fischer and Larry Brown of the 1970s. Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Gary Clark and Mark Moseley of the 1980s. Brian Mitchell of the 1990s should be considered when eligible next year.
They’re all worthy and none may get elected. Redskins fans must lobby together to gain any chance. And, Grimm is the best choice after coming close in recent years.
First, there’s not an anti-Redskins feeling among Hall of Fame voters. I have known many voters, who are fellow newspaper scribes, for more than a decade and never once felt it was personal. They take their vote extremely serious, as they should, and rarely has there been a bias involved. Maybe Art Modell for moving the Browns from Cleveland, but that’s the only one I’ve seen.
But, it never hurts to lobby just like calling your congressman. Voters may not be intimidated, but they can be educated, which is what it took to get Monk elected. It also helps to focus on one candidate rather than scattershot. They won’t hear anything from an angry mob, but they will hear a group chanting.
Grimm has made the final vote four straight years. Detractors say he didn’t play long enough at 11 years. That’s nonsense given Grimm could have lasted a few more seasons only to decide three Super Bowl championships were enough. The Hog played 140 games with five All-Pro selections. He’s a member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team and 70 Greatest Redskins.
Frankly, the Arizona assistant head coach should be leading the Redskins nowadays or at least the Steelers, who double-dealed him out of the job last year. The hall snub can’t be personal because Grimm is one of the greatest guys you’ll ever meet. Those who dream of having a beer with Riggo and Sonny should add Grimm to the table.
Meanwhile, Hanburger was the best of the Over The Hill Gang defense with nine Pro Bowls. Nine — as in two more than Green and five more than Grimm. The greatest No. 55 in Redskins history (sorry Jason Taylor) played 187 games in 14 seasons and named among the 70 Greatest Redskins despite being an 18th round selection.
The others have merits. Some say Clark was better than Monk. Mitchell was the greatest return man ever with 19,013 yards and 13 touchdowns. Moseley was an NFL Most Valuable Player. That should count for something. Fischer was a brutal player. Brown was the best runner in the league for a few years. Jacoby was just a notch behind Grimm on that famed line.
For now, pick one candidate and start lobbying voters. You can Google their names. It’s the only way you’ll see another Redskin reach Canton in coming years.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
