DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Clay Mathews HOF Semifinalist....AGAIN

And I saw somewhere yesterday that Peyton Manning has let it known that he is going in to the HOF

It would have been news if he wasn't.

I agree with that thinking, I especially like the part about the 3 thousand pound offensive lineman who can't catch you.
Now your post doesn't say that, but that's how my eyes read it unless I look really hard.

but I agree, and almost made a similar point a week ago, when a defense gest an int,

the offense is on the field, and they are the 11 which most rarely tackles during games, and teams have shown, if you have enough space to start, that most times, a little delay then the start of a cross forward zig zag, sets up your own team defense, to make offensive blocks, in a crack back (yet now legal),type motion against offensive players who have little experience, shedding blocks or making tackles.

Browns superfan 'Showdawg' inducted into Ford Hall of Fans at Pro Football Hall of Fame

https://www.news5cleveland.com/sports/br...ll-hall-of-fame

CANTON, Ohio — Ray Prisby, the Cleveland Browns superfan known as “Showdawg,” was selected for the Class of 2021 induction into the Ford Hall of Fans, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Friday.

Prisby, along with two other superfans who were finalists, were flown out to Tampa after testing negative for COVID-19 and gifted with tickets to Super Bowl LV.

As is tradition, Prisby received a celebratory knock at his door at the Tampa hotel from Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO David Baker.

Prisby, the United States Air Force veteran who exclusively wears the colors orange and brown and has an “encyclopedic knowledge” of Browns history and stats, has been building a collection of Browns memorabilia since 1961, which has been included in the Cleveland Browns museum at FirstEnergy Stadium.

In addition to his own personal fandom, Prisby has inspired the next generation of Browns fans, writing a children’s book that features a character who is a big Browns fan.

While Prisby is honored to be a part of the Ford Hall of Fans, he said his fandom isn't done for recognition.

"I don't do it for recognition. I collect because I like the history of the Browns," Prisby said. "I just love the history because the Browns have such a rich tradition and such a rich history, there's so much to tell. I enjoy the fact that I was accepted but to say that [my fandom] paid off, I wouldn't say it like that."

Prisby was previously informed of his nomination to be inducted into the Ford Hall of Fans by a Browns legend—Hall of Famer Jim Brown.

"I was totally caught off guard," Prisby said. "That's something I'll always remember."

With his induction, Prisby will become the first Browns fan in the Ford Hall of Fans, which was launched in 2019.

Joining Prisby in this year's class is Cardinals superfan Kristi Brown and Raiders superfan Wayne Mabry, who were both selected for the Class of 2021.

After their induction, the Ford Hall of Fans will have nine members.

Ford Hall of Fans inductees were selected from more than 27,000 fans who entered the online contest and a contest at the display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

Prisby thanked other Browns fans, Northeast Ohioans and his fellow veterans for having his back, voting for him and helping him get inducted.

"It's unreal to think that that many people could get behind a small town guy like myself but they did and I can't do nothing but appreciate that," Prisby said.

Of all of the bigger superfans of the team...I've never heard of this guy? I guess you have to be local to know him?

Tonight, 9pm, Local Channel 19 WOIO.

If that has nothing to do with Clay Mathews I see no reason it's in this thread; but oh well.

If, they are going to put a cardboard, or whatever unknown display of fans, on display at the pro football hall of fame, and even if they wittled it down to finalists from 27,000 entrants,

I think it diminishes the pro football hall of fame,
I think it diminishes football fans in mass.
and I think it's classless, and tasteless.

And I would have stayed out of a contest from the start if I had ever heard of it.

I'm a football fan. You're a football fan, Anybody can be a football fan,

To celebrate a fan, feels like a slap in the face to anyone who appreciates football, almost a mockery of the fact I am a fan.

Let's see, a slap in the face or Covid? Hmmmm....

A slew of gold jackets and bronze busts have already been made in preparation for this year's Hall of Fame ceremonies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's 20-member Hall of Fame class will be celebrated in Canton, Ohio, this summer. Additionally, the 2021 induction class will also be inducted this August.

Based on the finalists, this year's class promises to include some of the highest-profile players in league history. Specifically, there are four first-time finalists (Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Calvin Johnson and Jared Allen) whose candidacy will be exciting to watch. Along with the 15 modern-era player finalists, there is one senior finalist, one contributor finalist, and one coach who is a finalist.

This year's Hall of Fame class will be announced during Saturday's NFL Honors show. The 2020 Hall of Fame class will be honored in Canton from August 5-8. The 2021 class will be honored from August 6-9.

Here's a look at each of this year's finalists.

Modern-era player finalists
DE Jared Allen (2004-2015): A five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Allen's 136 career sacks sit at 12th on the all-time list. Allen led the league in sacks in 2007 and in 2011.

DB Ronde Barber (1997-2012): The former Buccaneer is a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. A key member of Tampa Bay's first championship team, Barber led the NFL in interceptions in 2001.

OL Tony Boselli (1995-2001): A member of the NFL's All-1990s Team, Boselli was a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. His presence helped the Jaguars reach two AFC title games during the franchise's first five years of existence.

S Leroy Butler (1990-2001): The Packers' versatile defensive back was a member of the NFL's All-1990s Team. A four-time All-Pro and valued member of Green Bay's 1996 championship team, Butler tallied 38 interceptions, 20.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries.

OL Alan Faneca (1998-2007): A nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro, Faneca was a key member of the Steelers' 2005 championship team. A member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Faneca also played an integral role in the Jets' 2009 AFC title game run.

WR Torry Holt (1999-2009): Holt helped the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" win a Super Bowl during his rookie season. A seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Holt led the NFL in receiving in 2000 and in 2003.

WR Calvin Johnson (2007-2015): "Megatron" was a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. A two-time receiving champion, Johnson's 1,964 yards is the highest single-season total in league history.

DB John Lynch (1993-2007): Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and strong safety and was also a Pro Bowler during each of his four seasons at free safety. Lynch played a key role in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl XXXVII victory.

QB Peyton Manning (1998-2015): The only five-time league MVP, Manning retired as the NFL's all-time career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. The first starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises, Manning's 55 touchdown passes in 2013 is still a single-season record.

LB Clay Matthews (1978-1996): A four-time Pro Bowler, Matthews recorded a whopping 1,595 tackles during his career. Matthews, who is also credited with 69.5 career sacks (individual sacks did not become an official stat until 1982), played a key role on a Browns team that reached three AFC title games over a four-year span.

LB Sam Mills (1986-1997): A five-time Pro Bowler, Mills led the Saints to four playoff appearances from 1987-92. A member of the Panthers' inaugural team, Mills anchored a Carolina defense that advanced to the NFC title game in just its second year of existence.

DL Richard Seymour (2001-2012): A Pro Bowler at both defensive tackle and end, Seymour was a seven-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. He played a key role on a Patriots team that won three Super Bowls over a four-year span.

LB Zach Thomas (1996-2008): Thomas was a tacking machine who racked up 1,734 tackles during his 13-year career. A key member of Miami's talented mid-90s defense, Thomas was a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team.

WR Reggie Wayne (2001-2014): Unfairly cast as the Robin to Marvin Harrison's Batman, Wayne carved out his own niche in Indianapolis. A six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLI champion, Wayne led the NFL in receiving in 2007. The eighth all-time leading receiver at the time of his retirement, Wayne was the No. 1 receiver on the Colts' 2009 AFC championship team.

DB Charles Woodson (1998-2015): A former Heisman Trophy winner, Woodson's NFL accomplishments include Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, nine Pro Bowls, four All-Pro selections and a member of the NFL's All-2000s Team. Woodson was also a key contributor on two Super Bowl teams that included Green Bay's 2010 Super Bowl-winning team.

Senior finalist
WR Drew Pearson (1973-1983): A three-time All-Pro, Pearson is the only member of the NFL's All-1970s Team that is not already enshrined in Canton. The recipient of the NFL's first Hail Mary pass, Pearson helped lead the Cowboys to seven NFL championship game appearances, three NFC titles and a victory in Super Bowl XII.

Contributor finalist
Bill Nunn: Before being known as the Steelers' "Super Scout," Nunn was a successful sportswriter and managing editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, which was one of the nation's most influential Black publications. Nunn used his deep knowledge of historical Black college football programs to create an annual "Black College All-America Team."

In 1968, Nunn joined the Steelers as the team's assistant personnel director. Nunn is credited for acquiring the Steelers players that would contribute to the team's 1970s dynasty. Those players include Joe Greene, Mel Blount, L.C. Greenwood, Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, John Stallworth, Donnie Shell, Joe Gilliam and Frank Lewis, among others. Nunn, who died in 2014, is one of the few members of the Steelers' organization to play a hand in each of the team's six Super Bowl victories.

Coach finalist
Tom Flores: An assistant on the Raiders' first Super Bowl championship team, Flores was promoted to head coach following John Madden's retirement after the 1978 season. In 1980, the Raiders became the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl after upsetting the favored Eagles in Super Bowl XV. Three years later, Flores led the Raiders to another Super Bowl upset, as the Raiders shocked Washington (the defending champion) in Super Bowl XVIII, 38-9. Flores' 1983 team would be the last AFC team to win the Super Bowl until 1997, when Denver upset the defending champion Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.

The first Latino quarterback in NFL history, Flores is also the first Latino head coach to win the Super Bowl. He is just one of just 12 head coaches with multiple Super Bowl victories, and just one of two coaches (Bill Belichick being the other) to defeat two Super Bowl-winning coaches in the big game.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-f...calvin-johnson/

Ray's a good guy. I'm surprised that you have not heard of him. I have two complete Browns room, a Browns bathroom, and 99 percent of my clothes are Browns, yet Ray makes my collection look puny.

2021 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

PIT/NYJ/ARI OL Alan Faneca

OAK/LARD/SEA HC Tom Flores

DET WR Calvin Johnson

TB/DEN DB John Lynch

IND/DEN QB Peyton Manning

PIT scout Bill Nunn

DAL WR Drew Pearson

OAK/GB DB Charles Woodson

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/extra-points/2021/nfl-awards-hall-famers-announced

2020 AWARD-WINNERS

Pepsi Rookie of the Year: Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert

AP Defensive Player of the Year: Los Angeles Rams DL Aaron Donald

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Presented by Microsoft Surface: Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert

AP Offensive Player of the Year: Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Presented by Microsoft Surface: Washington Football Team DE Chase Young

Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award: Carolina Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater

AP Comeback Player of the Year Presented by Visa: Washington Football Team QB Alex Smith

AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll

Bridgestone Clutch Performance Play of the Year: Hail Murray touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to DeAndre Hopkins

Deacon Jones Award: Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt

Bud Light Celly of the Year: Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate Chase Claypool touchdown

AP Coach of the Year Presented by Bose: Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski

DraftKings Breakout Daily Fantasy Player of the Year: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

Fan of the Year Presented by Subway: Tennessee Titans fan Brandon Galloway

AP Most Valuable Player Delivered by Pizza Hut: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Presented by Nationwide: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson

Not inducting Clay Matthews once again is what diminishes the Hall of Fame. It's a farce. I couldn't care less about celebrating a fan. Until they change how players are selected and inducted the Hall is a disgrace.

It's what you need to do.
You have to be voted in, so unless you are a unanimous first-ballot guy like Peyton Manning, or like Tom Brady will be, you need to work the P.R. and marketing side of things so your name stays fresh & relevant; build your mythos. Hire a marketing person and a publicist.

And, don't wait until the voting season has begun... next year's class begins today. Start the campaign NOW. Start getting articles written putting you in the same light, or better, than guys that are already in. Get a national talk radio personality, or three, to start harping on the injustice of you not being in already. Get a dialogue going in the public over it.

Repeat something often enough for long enough and it becomes the Truth.

I heard Clay on a recent interview on 92.3 The Fan and he talked about not being entirely comfortable with his daughter and son campaigning for him, and that he asked them to stop. His opinion is that those who would know already know, and those who don't know never will. Maybe he's too humble, but I think he's comfortable and proud of his standing among his peers. I'm hoping the veterans committee votes him in over the next few years

Those who don't know just need it explained to them.

Those who don't know should never ever be given a drivers license because their stupid asses might just kill somebody.

Those are called beat writers, and far too many write about things they are woefully inept in the area of.

Whofully inept is such an under stantment. They are just freaking crazy x 10.