JBlood
Cheesehead
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I missed this earlier this week 9(sorry if it's already been posted):
Jerry Kramer and Billy Howton, passed over for the Hall of Fame
Posted by Jeff Ash August 27th, 2010, 5:01 pm Earlier this week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the two senior nominees for the Class of 2011 — former linebackers Les Richter of the Los Angeles Rams and Chris Hanburger of the Washington Redskins.
That meant, of course, that Packers guard Jerry Kramer had been passed over again.
Senior nominees must be retired at least 25 years. Nominees are chosen by the Seniors Committee, which is made up of nine voters from the larger Hall of Fame selection committee.
Steve Sabol of NFL Films believes Kramer is the best player not in the Hall of Fame.
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King thought Kramer might be on the short list from which Richter and Hanburger were chosen.
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News listed a bunch of worthy names, including former Packers linebacker Dave Robinson and defensive back Bobby Dillon.
Another former Packers star received some strong support from a most unlikely place. Writing on DallasCowboys.com, Jeff Sullivan made this case for receiver Billy Howton:
Howton finished his career by playing four seasons with the Cowboys, joining the expansion team in 1960.
– Jeff Ash (follow me on Twitter!)
Jerry Kramer and Billy Howton, passed over for the Hall of Fame
Posted by Jeff Ash August 27th, 2010, 5:01 pm Earlier this week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the two senior nominees for the Class of 2011 — former linebackers Les Richter of the Los Angeles Rams and Chris Hanburger of the Washington Redskins.
That meant, of course, that Packers guard Jerry Kramer had been passed over again.
Senior nominees must be retired at least 25 years. Nominees are chosen by the Seniors Committee, which is made up of nine voters from the larger Hall of Fame selection committee.
Steve Sabol of NFL Films believes Kramer is the best player not in the Hall of Fame.
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King thought Kramer might be on the short list from which Richter and Hanburger were chosen.
Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News listed a bunch of worthy names, including former Packers linebacker Dave Robinson and defensive back Bobby Dillon.
Another former Packers star received some strong support from a most unlikely place. Writing on DallasCowboys.com, Jeff Sullivan made this case for receiver Billy Howton:
“(I) have never really figured out the deal with former Cowboys and Green Bay Packers receiver Billy Howton. When he retired after the 1963 season, his 503 receptions and 8,459 yards were each all-time career records. Even as of 1970, he was third behind only Lance “Bambi” Alworth and Raymond Berry. Also, Howton didn’t even have the benefit of a 14-game season until 1961 with the Cowboys when he was 31 years old. Yet, he never came close to gaining induction into Canton, has never even been a finalist. Wanted to speak with Howton, who recently turned 80, for the 50th Anniversary book, but was unable to find a contact number. He has lived in Madrid, Spain for the last 20 years, at least last I heard.”
Howton played the first seven seasons of his career in Green Bay, but new coach Vince Lombardi wanted nothing to do with him when he arrived in 1959. Howton was traded to Cleveland for halfback Lew Carpenter, a key role player, and defensive end Bill Quinlan, who was a starter until Lionel Aldridge came along.
Howton finished his career by playing four seasons with the Cowboys, joining the expansion team in 1960.
– Jeff Ash (follow me on Twitter!)