NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame: Where Jon Arnett Ranks Among Running Backs

"Jaguar" Jon Arnett, one of the most talented football players of all time has been totally overlooked by the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. Arnett played for the LA Rams from 1957 to 1963 and for the Chicago Bears from 1964-1966. 

In his 10 seasons in the NFL, Arnett amassed a very respectable 10,360 all purpose yards and scored 41 touchdowns.  A five-time Pro Bowl selection, his fall into obscurity is baffling.

The NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame has honored 29 running backs from the "modern era" with membership. Among the greats are some very familiar names: Walter Payton, Marcus Allen, Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson.

With his production, I thought it would be interesting to see where Jon Arnett would fall if he were included in the list based upon career all-purpose yards. The results are quite surprising.

Jon Arnett would rank 21st on a list of 30 ahead of some pretty famous names. Behind Arnett would be Earl Campbell with 10,213 yards, Frank Gifford with 9,862 yards, Gayle Sayers with 9,435 yards, Larry Csonka with 8,901 yards and Doak Walker with 5,328 yards. 

I don't know much the nomination and selection process for election into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it strikes me that something is very wrong with this picture. If Jon Arnett had a more productive career than Earl Campbell, Gayle Sayers and Larry Csonka, who clearly deserve to be in the Hall, then so does he. 

It's time for the HOF to do the right thing and honor Arnett while he's still with us. Let's not forget Jon Arnett.