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This is a series based on the question posed above: players that are worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame but for some reason have not been...

NFL: Why Isn’t This Guy in the Hall of Fame, Part I

by Jeff Little (Senior Writer)

11

1321 reads

Opinion

June 08, 2008


This is a series based on the question posed above: players that are worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame but for some reason have not been.

 

Ray Guy—Punter for Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders 1973–1986

 

Some might say he is a punter and shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame because punters are insignificant and don’t have a real impact on a game. I wouldn’t agree with that statement and I would argue that his career statistics prove that statement incorrect.

 

Let’s ponder a punter's importance for a moment. I take you back to Super Bowl XVIII—arguably his best performance—against the Washington Redskins. When the Raiders' offense faltered just outside the range of placekicker Chris Bahr, Guy, known for his power, showed a great deal of finesse by booting a 27-yard punt that pinned the Redskins on their own 12-yard line late in the first half.

 

On the very next play, Raiders’ linebacker Jack Squirek intercepted Washington QB Joe Theisman and ran it in for a touchdown that gave them a 21-3 halftime lead. The Raiders would eventually win 38-9.

 

He was the first pure punter drafted in the first round. Several experts scoffed at the selection and said that the Raiders made a mistake in selecting him in the first round. Listed below are just some of career accolades.

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11 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. John Fennelly about 1 year ago

    Beats me....punters, I guess aren't considered real football players.

    Guy was an impact player - a weapon. How many players, regardless of position, can that be said about?

    From my experience Hall of Fames in all genres are highly political. In order to get your candidate just considered you have to go through a rigorous campaign process - signatures, slideshows, dossiers, etc.

    These campaigns are reserved for players whose eligibility has expired. Its usually done for veterans like Ray Guy.

    You should look into this. See if anything is happening. If not, you can get the ball rolling. I'll help you if you need it..

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  2. Evan Glass about 1 year ago

    I agree, Ray Guy was an impact player and should definitely be in the Hall of Fame.

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  3. Rob Calonge about 1 year ago

    Great article Jeff! You know, we are running a vote at TFDSsports.com between Kenny Stabler and Ray Guy. The winner of that vote will get the full weight of our site in a campaign for the HOF. We're even thinking that if the vote is close enough, to campaign on behalf of both.

    Ray Guy should've been in the HOF a long time ago. Even his pupils are leading the league in punting regularly. When kickers are brought up as HOF players, I think that it's unfortunate that the greatest punter of all time is without the bust he so truly deserves.

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    • Jeff Little about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the comments and compliments, Rob. I'm torn between the two because I feel both should be in the hall but I voted for Ray Guy on the site. I applaud the campaign and will support the site and whoever wins out in the poll.

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  4. Raider Card Addict about 1 year ago

    There's no real reason not to have Guy in there. After all, pretty much any punter in today's game can attribute the position's usefulness, and singular quality, to Guy's ability. Before Guy came along, the punting duty was either done by a position player, in another area, like a Kicker, or just not given much consideration.
    The biggest irk I have, with the Ray Guy issue, is that everyone likes to say, oh, he's not that important. Tell me this then, did Jerry Rice only drop 3 passes over his career? Guy only had 3 kicks blocked in his entire career. Unheard of. Plus, if you paired Guy with another hall of Famer, like Ted Hendricks, on special teams, it wasn't a pretty picture for the poor punt returner. Imagine waiting for that stupid ball....and watching The Mad Stork coming at you.....ack!

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  5. D Stevens about 1 year ago

    Stabler was just arrested for DUII, his chances for the HOF just flew out the window...Ray Guy on the other hand should have been there years ago!

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    • Raider Card Addict about 1 year ago

      Don't bank on Stabler's drinking keeping him out, if they let a druggie like Irvin in. Ray Guy's been a finalist so many times, he's probably got a coffee mug in the room he waits in....doesn't help either, when guys like Dr Z keep bashing the Guy.
      Someone should invite the naysayers out there, and let them try to get a punt off with an onrush of players coming right up the middle. And then have them try to kick it a good 50 yards, with a hangtime of 5 seconds.....so they can really see what he did.

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  6. norm tice 4 months ago

    Kenny should have been in the HOF years ago....Best QB I saw in the past 50 years...maybe he should have killed someone like Ray L did..and you know he will be in on the 1st vote!

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