NFL: Does Pat Tillman Deserve Hall of Fame?

[cigaretteman]

Interesting question. I can see merits in arguments on either side of the issue.

Pat Tillman shouldn't be voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame - Peter King - SI.com

 

[DaddyMac]

I don't think he should be voted in.

But it would be a good move to honor him there in some way. Similar to those "lifetime achievement" awards at the Oscars.

The NFL got plenty of publicity and mileage from what Tillman did. Stands to reason they should do something....

 

[3TrueFans]

No, not by a long shot. He was a great guy, obviously gave everything for his country, but the NFL HOF is given as recognition for exceptional football careers, he did not have one.

 

[Clark]

I don't think he should be voted in.

But it would be a good move to honor him there in some way. Similar to those "lifetime achievement" awards at the Oscars.

The NFL got plenty of publicity and mileage from what Tillman did. Stands to reason they should do something....

I like this idea. I know the baseball HOF has a ton of stuff in there from people who aren't in the HOF (Pete Rose has a lot of stuff in there)

But no he shouldn't be voted in as a player.

 

[CycoCyclone]

Maybe the HOF should have a "veterans" section, something to denote special service to country, but not as an athlete.

 

[st8]

Maybe the HOF should have a "veterans" section, something to denote special service to country, but not as an athlete.

why? there is plenty of places where veterans are honored and remembered for their service. the NFL HOF is to recognize achievements on the football field, period. I don't mean to take away from the choice he made, which was one of the more selfless and commendable acts you will ever see from a pro athlete, but I don't think you should give HOF recognition for things off the field.

 

[doubleringer]

I say no. The HOF is obviously about greatness in the game of football and not character. Lawrence Taylor is in.

 

[ianoconnor]

No, not by a long shot. He was a great guy, obviously gave everything for his country, but the NFL HOF is given as recognition for exceptional football careers, he did not have one.

Exactly.

 

[ceeboe]

I don't think he should be voted in.

But it would be a good move to honor him there in some way. Similar to those "lifetime achievement" awards at the Oscars.

The NFL got plenty of publicity and mileage from what Tillman did. Stands to reason they should do something....

Agree 100%.


Since most professional sports players don't spend any time serving their country, I think a committee for professional sports should join together and create a memorial with a board to elect in players to honor those who walked away and served their country, be it Nascar, cricket, or baseball.

 

[CyinCo]

Honored, yes. HOF, no. Two different reasons for each.

 

[HiltonMagic]

I say yes. It's not the Hall of Great Players, it's the Hall of FAME. It's about the overall contribution to the game. (John Madden anyone?)

 

[DaddyMac]

I say yes. It's not the Hall of Great Players, it's the Hall of FAME. It's about the overall contribution to the game. (John Madden anyone?)

Yeah - but how much did he contribute to the the game? He clearly gave everything to his country.

Where I'm going is ... how many other fb players were called into service for WWII, Korea, Vietnam?

Certainly there were some, probably just as likely some died in doing so. Are they being recognized also? Perhaps they should.

I've never been to Canton, so I don't know what it's like, how it's laid out and such. But I'm thinking they should name a wing after him, or a courtyard or something. "Pat Tillman Memorial Gardens". Or have a special wing for players who've done great things outside the sport.

But I don't know that he should really be called a "Hall of Famer"

 

[HiltonMagic]

Yeah - but how much did he contribute to the the game? He clearly gave everything to his country.

Where I'm going is ... how many other fb players were called into service for WWII, Korea, Vietnam?

Certainly there were some, probably just as likely some died in doing so. Are they being recognized also? Perhaps they should.

I've never been to Canton, so I don't know what it's like, how it's laid out and such. But I'm thinking they should name a wing after him, or a courtyard or something. "Pat Tillman Memorial Gardens". Or have a special wing for players who've done great things outside the sport.

But I don't know that he should really be called a "Hall of Famer"

I could see that. He definitely needs to be recognized in some way or another.

 

[BigSkyCy2]

Both of those items are from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I visited there three summers ago and last summer and they were both up each trip.

 

[3TrueFans]

Both of those items are from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I visited there three summers ago and last summer and they were both up each trip.

Good enough for me, let's move on.

 

[CYVADER]

SI.com - Magazine - Pat Tillman: Remember His Name - Tuesday September 5, 2006 5:46PM

A very good read about him from a few years ago when i used to subscribe to SI. i have a TON of respect for this man

 

[jdoggivjc]

I don't think he should be voted in.

But it would be a good move to honor him there in some way. Similar to those "lifetime achievement" awards at the Oscars.

The NFL got plenty of publicity and mileage from what Tillman did. Stands to reason they should do something....

He already is - or at least he was 2 years ago when I visited the Hall.

Does he belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Not IMO. While he was a good football player, he wasn't great, and likely never was going to be had he had the opportunity to finish his career - he likely would never have been a HoF-type of career. So just because he quit his very lucrative and well-paying career to fulfill his patriotic duty, enlisted, and give up his life for this country automatically qualifies him for the HoF? The Humanity HoF, maybe (if one existed), but not the Pro Football HoF...

 

[mikeiastat]

Interesting question. I can see merits in arguments on either side of the issue.

Pat Tillman shouldn't be voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame - Peter King - SI.com

While I belive that Pat Tillman deserves all the credit in the world for being an all time great human being, the FOOTBALL hall of fame is built/meant for that kind of recognition. It is not a reflection of his person to not recognize him as a HOF football player. Its not the hall's job, nor would the hall do his legacy justice if it tried. He did more than football and should be honored in so many other ways.

The Hall should focus on the people for which it was created. Tillman should be remembered. And for much more than his football carreer. Nothing wrong with acknowleging what he did for country, but not as a Hall of Fame Football player.

 

[2forISU]

He was voted in by the players of the hof...so yes