Cris Carter Gets Long Overdue Hall of Fame Nod

After six long years of waiting, Cris Carter can finally call himself a Hall of Famer. Carter was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today along with Larry Allen, Curley Culp, Jonathan Ogden, Bill Parcells, Dave Robinson, and Warren Sapp.

In my opinion, Carter should have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Many say that the way he treated the media during his playing days is what kept him from getting into the Hall. Well if that’s the case, then shame on the sports writers who snubbed Carter over the past six years.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a place that’s reserved for the greatest players who ever set foot on the gridiron. What they have accomplished as individuals, what they have contributed to their teams, and how they’ve changed the game of football should be the reasons why, and only reasons why, someone should be deemed worthy of being among the greatest of the great.

Refusing to talk to a reporter after a disappointing loss, giving what some may call inappropriate answers in a press conference, or what a player does outside the game of football shouldn’t affect a voter’s decision of choosing a great player for the Hall of Fame.

Regardless of how Carter may be perceived by the media, his career speaks for itself. In Carter’s 16 years in the NFL, he’s been to eight consecutive Pro Bowls (1993-2000), has 131 career touchdowns (8^th all-time), 1,101 career receptions, (4^th), and 13,899 career receiving yards (9^th).

Even with today’s game becoming more geared towards the passing game, Carter’s numbers will always show his greatness.

I’m happy that Carter is finally in the Hall because this will possibly open the door for two other wide receivers who’ve been pushed to the side over the years. Tim Brown and Andre Reed could be next.

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