One of the toughest realities for Hall of Fame finalists to face is that there are fewer spots available in Canton annually than qualified candidates.
So former Saints and Falcons kicker Morten Andersen was gracious about not making it this year.
“There’s a lot of deserving guys that have been waiting a lot longer than I have,” Andersen said, via Ramon Antonio Vargas of the Baton Rouge Advocate. “I’m patient. I understand how the process works.”
That’s a tough pill for many to swallow, as to even get into the final 15 modern era candidates means you have had an exceptional career.
But Andersen’s chances weren’t great in part because punter Ray Guy was up for consideration as a seniors committee candidate, and no one really expected to double the number of true specialists in the Hall in one ballot.
“Hopefully,” Andersen said, “he gives us a chance.”
At some point, Andersen may earn his trip.
He’s the league’s all-time leading scorer, and while some have a “just-a-kicker” mentality, there’s a solid chance he’ll be enshrined one day. Not that he’s disappointed.
“It’s time to celebrate the guys that did get in and not diminish what they meant to the game by focusing too much on the guys that didn’t get in,” Andersen said.
That’s a graciousness that too many players, even the ones who get in, don’t display often enough.