What's Wrong With: The Pro Football Hall of Fame

Another week, another thing wrong with sports. This week, we're talking football. But in particular, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and its selection process. Gotta throw an assist to my friend Luke for this one because he put the idea in my head because of how the talk of Kurt Warner and his Hall of Fame chances hinge on this game has been nonstop.

In case you aren't familiar with how the Hall selects their players, here's your quick rundown thanks to Wikipedia. The people who choose the Hall each year are known as the Board of Selectors, a committee of 44 people, mainly sportswriters in cities where there are or were NFL teams. All except one are appointed to life terms which are terminated only by resignation, retirement or death.

To be eligible for the Hall, one must be retired for at least 5 years. Fans may nominate any player, coach, or executive by writing the Hall by letter or e-mail. After being polled three times during the year, the Board narrows the finalist list to 15 in November. Also, a 9-member subcommittee, known as the Seniors committee add two finalists from players that finished their career more than 25 years ago. The 44-member Board meets the day before the Super Bowl to elect the new class. A finalist needs 80 percent support to get in and no less than 4 but no more than 7 can be inducted. If more than 7 get 80 percent, only the top 7 get in. Same goes for if 4 don't get 80 percent, the top 4 vote-getters get in. And the 7 means no more than 5 "non-seniors" and 2 "seniors".

Alright, that's the gist of it. Now here's what wrong with it.

First off, unlike the 150+ writers that vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame, only 44 people vote. And only in cities where there are teams? Give me a break. I'm pretty sure there are very competent and knowledgeable sports writers in non-NFL cities such as San Antonio, Milwaukee, Columbus and Salt Lake City. And life terms? What is this, the Supreme Court? Let's be serious here. When you only use writers from NFL cities, you're gonna get voters who are homers. They will fight to the death for the player from their hometown team. And literally, I mean death cause it is a life term.

Now I admire the fact that they have a special section for veterans of more than 25 years. Trust me, I do. But the fact that we have sportswriters voting for this and not former players disgusts me. How about letting the current Hall of Famers vote on that? Heisman Trophy winners get a lifetime vote on the Heisman and deservedly so. But Pro Football Hall of Famers don't get a vote at all. Unless they become a sportswriter. But even then, someone's gotta die. Or at least can we rotate the media members. I mean, how about 2 or 4 year terms like our politicians?

And this whole 4 to 7 rule bugs me too. 80 percent is a good number when we're talking 44 people. I mean, baseball needs 75 percent and that has a lot more voters. But if you have a list of 17 finalists and only 3 people get 80 percent, then that's it. Don't just let people in. If 80 percent of these sportswriters that are so-called experts don't think a player deserves in, they shouldn't be let in.

And vice versa with the 7. If there are 8 players that get 80 percent or more of the vote, why not let all 8 in? What's the harm, really? When you limit the amount that can get in per year, what you end up doing is a couple things. You see players at skill positions (QB, RB, WR) get in before defensive players and linemen. Not only that but I hate to say it but people die. Don't keep someone who got 80 percent of the vote from getting in because of a dumb rule. You just never know what can happen.

So while we all get ready for Super Bowl XLIII, I hope you enjoy all the talk about Kurt Warner and his Hall of Fame credentials. I mean, do any of us really care? NO, not at all. Especially since you (now) know how big of a crock the selection process is. Just like the presidential election, it's time for a change.