Peter King of Sports Illustrated and NBC devoted nearly a full page of his brand-new Monday Morning Quarterback column to the criticism that has emerged, and remained, in the wake of the latest Hall of Fame vote.
For most of the details, we’ll defer to King’s column — and to his Monday appearance on ProFootballTalk Live.
He favors full transparency in the voting process. “I feel we should say who we supported, because the fan interest is so high and because transparency in the vote should be expected of us,” King writes. “Many of my peers disagree with me on this, but I think if we’re not willing to put our name to our vote, then we shouldn’t be on the committee.”
King also addresses the allegation of corruption in the process, the qualifications of the selection committee, possible expansion of the 44-person panel, and other issues relating to the process.
He takes issue with the portion of Jason Whitlock’s column that some could interpret as accusing King of racial bias. “The only thing that angered me about Whitlock’s column is when he followed his skewering of the Hall selection committee because it has three black voters (a fourth, Michael Wilbon, left the panel when he began covering the NBA a few years ago) in the next sentence by saying two white men — me and Gosselin — lead an ‘old-school, good-ol’-boys network’ in the selection room,” King writes. “If he finds me racist, I wish he’d just call me racist.”
King further points out the inaccuracy of the perception that he and Rick Gosselin run the room, given that King’s support for former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and receiver Cris Carter has not helped either of them gain enshrinement.
Either way, it’s good that the issues are being discussed, and we hope that it sparks a commitment to exploring all aspects of the process and determining whether changes can and should be made. The current criticism, in our view, comes from a perception that the selection committee not only resists change, but actively opposes it.
King clearly neither is resisting nor opposing it. In several respects, he welcomes it.
Whitlock was right. These HOF voters (led by King) are mostly corrupt dirt bags.
King sucks and needs to go back to Cheers and hang out with Cliff.
transparency would be great, then you know who has a brain and who is a scarecrow! lol
I know Whitlock is a great guest and sound bite, but he is probably the most Bias and Racist man in sports. He is crying because former Kansas City Chief Willy Roaf didn’t make the Hall of Fame in the first vote and then chastises the voters for being Bias and Racist.
The next time i’m at a diner for breakfast..Which is a few times a week….Where everyone talks sports, and everyone is reading a sports page…And if the guy next to me says, can you believe the transparency in the NFL HOF election process, i will buy the entire diner breakfast….No one really cares……..
Peter King Talk is at it again.
Willie Roaf failed to make the hall this year but he will in the future. It’s the case with most offensive lineman. Look at the number of years it took Ron Yary, and Jerry Kramer is still waiting. Both, by the way, happen to be white. Whitlock is like most who decry racism, he picks and chooses to make his point, ignoring to overall picture.
Whitlock calling someone a racist…shocker!
Why does race always have to be used an excuse for someone not getting something? The fact that the race card is thrown around so much takes away from real racial incidents. Whitlock is an idiot.
No one cares what Whitlock says. And being called a racist by Whitlock is like being called crazy by Charles Haley….
He was a joke amongst his journalism peers at the KC Star before he was cut loose. At one time it appears that Whitlock had the makings of a big time columnist but his self anger and self hatred have seeped into his writing making him unreadable.
Of course the folks at the HOF could solve all this if they just did the right thing and vote in Jeff George. That would shut up the fat man once and for all.
I’ve never had a water cooler conversation about how, who, when or if someone will get in the hall of fame.
Draft, yes. Strike, yes. 2011 season, yes. Ticket prices, yes.
Hall of fame? I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone really caring outside of the media or the players themselves.
But for some reason, the media seems to believe people really care. Same thing is true for the Heisman Trophy.
These things are force fed by the media like they matter, and really, the only thing that matters to fans is what could potentially impact the actual game.
Hall of fame? Heisman Trophy? Pro bowl? The larger audience doesn’t care.
what did Willie Roaf ever do to win a football game for his team??? Seriously, how many playoff wins? how many SB wins? Right, got it, he was an above-average schlub Tackle on below average teams. So I’m like Whitlock he definitely should have been Unanimously voted on to the all-everything team on the first ballot, because we all know, every above-average schlub from a losing team deserves to be in the HOF.
/sarc
Is everyone in shambles over Willie Roaf, come on this committee missed several atheletes, they put deion in I mean what was the deal with putting shannon sharp in but not Chris carter? why get all defensive King when the points of his article touched us all.
You cant just create an issue you have to have some facts and to be honest the facts are we watched our favorite players every week for years on end and to have some pompus writer decide on his HOF status to have some writer make a decision on what the his legacy should be. I know I wouldnt want that job. To be honest I think the HOF lost alot of respect this round and will be a joke for years to come. Once you wound the animal it sits there and gets ready to die.. Good luck at happy hour dropping the ” I am on the HOF commitee line”
CC and Jon Randle.. To HOF
Whitlock usually has some good points albeit many are controversial but I am so tired of the race card being played at every turn. So what if there are only a few blacks on the panel that’s just how it worked out it’s not some kind of rasist conspiracy it’s just completely absurd.
There are plenty black only organizations out there and no one cries foul.
Whitlock says a lot of stupid things. But unfortunately…that’s what generates traffic.
Willie Roaf is hardly the first person to not make it the first time. He’ll get in. As far as Whitlock goes, his m.o. is to take some radical position to get publicity. Where’s his outrage for the white guys who didn’t make it? Black guy doesn’t get something, another black guy gets mad. No story here.
The greatest of greats, the purists don’t care if they get in the Hall of Fame. Its just another way for some of these has beens to get a chance to share the limelight again for another 15 minutes. Jerry Rice who was one of the greatest players of all time loved the spotlight more than any player I can remember. Jerry could rival Deion for the need for attention but just went about it a different way. Jerry on TV was all smiles, but most people dont know he was one of the biggest jerks in all of pro sports.
The Hall is just a group of old men that get to sit together once a year remember what was. And the older generation glares at the younger entrimen because they are getting paid while they live in retirement homes.
These days if you retire from the NFL you have a few choices. In this order.
1. If you are good enough you go TV, Radio, or Media.
2. Dancing with the Stars.
3. Hall of Fame.
darthvincent says: Feb 14, 2011 11:11 AM
what did Willie Roaf ever do to win a football game for his team??? Seriously, how many playoff wins? how many SB wins? Right, got it, he was an above-average schlub Tackle on below average teams. So I’m like Whitlock he definitely should have been Unanimously voted on to the all-everything team on the first ballot, because we all know, every above-average schlub from a losing team deserves to be in the HOF.
——————————–
Yeah, 90′s All Decade Team, 2000′s All Decade Team, 11 Pro Bowls, and 6 time 1st Team All Pro.
Unfortunately for him, most of the Saints teams he played on had little talent, and the Chiefs teams he played on had no defense.
It should be noted that the Chiefs averaged almost 29 rushing TDs/season during his 4 years, compared to 28 total in the 2 years before arrived and 23 total in the two years after his retirement.
Of all the voters, who accuaully played football and not just wrote about it? That would tell you right there where the bias is. I am sorry, but Cris Carter when he retired had the number on record in receptions. Only second to Jerry Rice, who had retired seasons earlier. Making him the number one reciever in the NFL. (Moss had not made the accomplishments that Cris did at that time). So for Chris not to be voted in, is very questionable. Along with a few others. Wake up and vote right!!!
Ahh, the spotlight squarely on Peter King, just how he likes it. Make sure that you’re using his name, and talking about him. It’s not like the NFL is above the great Peter King.
When will this me-first media guy simply do his job and cover the NFL instead of making virtually all the stories about him?!
I’m just awaiting his next pro-Goodell, pro-Jets piece.
I think we readers shoud propose a challenge to PFT. Do you think they can go 48 hours without mentioning Peter King? Can it be done?
The one major problem with the HOF voting process is that there are no checks and balances. In my opinion, the writers should nominate players to be on the final 15 names. Then the Hall of Fame members would, by secret ballot, no discussion, elect the 7 (or less) going into the hall. To be elected a nominee must appear on 50% of members ballots. Players nominated can be nominated again for up to 5 years. If they aren’t elected in 5 years they drop permanently out of the running.
Oh, knock it off. Racism charges? Please.Just sour grapes from losers. All the winners are worthy,some wait longer than others. Where’s my Native American brother Jim Plunkett, Superbowl winner?
rooneyruleblues,
Your comment made since, but I am not sure why you needed to include the rant about Jerry Rice?
chapnastier says: Feb 14, 2011 10:32 AM
Why does race always have to be used an excuse for someone not getting something? The fact that the race card is thrown around so much takes away from real racial incidents. Whitlock is an idiot.
********
If I were you, I would reread my comment before I call anyone an idiot.
Peter King learned from the feet of “the master” Wil McDonough.
Like his mentor, King has to make sure that the story is always about HIM in some form or fashion and by fanning the flames of this issue, like many others, he can conveniently put himself into the middle of it.
He does it every year when it comes to the Hall of Fame and he’s as responsible as anyone for the anti-Cowboys bias that exists with HOF voters.
In the article King speaks of seeing a naked man in San Fransisco with a bird on his shoulder outside a resturant in public where I assume children can see it, then claims you can’t name any 5 cities better than SF. What’s up with that I wonder.