Oakland Raiders: Who Is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Recent mail contained a reminder to renew my membership to the Insider's Club of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. I joined the club because I plan to make regular visits to the Hall of Fame to continue doing research on the Oakland Raiders and the NFL.

Last year’s reminder contained a colorful and informative brochure with pictures of the seven men who will be inducted in the 2010 ceremony. It was good to see Jerry Rice on the list since he was an Oakland Raider from 2001 to 2004. Most of all he played in Super Bowl XXXVII, and that brought honor to the franchise.

This year there is no one selected who had a former affiliation with the Oakland Raiders.

"Nineteen Raiders have been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, including owner Al Davis. WR Jerry Rice, who wore the Silver and Black from 2001-04 and played in Super Bowl XXXVII, is the latest. He was inducted in August of 2010." (link)

I plan to attend the historical event in 2011.

The history of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival includes 47 years of teaming up with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce to host the celebration. It is the joint effort of community organizations, the HOF staff and "more than 4,200 extraordinary volunteers who work year-round in a true spirit of cooperation".

The brochure I received in my mail says:

"When the Hall opened its doors in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, the museum consisted of 19,000 square feet. It currently features over 80,000 and the Oakland Raiders are highlighted in displays on the history of the franchise and in the displays of the many Oakland Raiders who have been honored by HOF."

The last time I visited the HOF I noticed that the display of Tim Brown stood prominent, yet Brown has not been enshrined. Somehow, I felt that the display was in place to promote his nomination in the near future. Could that be?

Yes, Tim Brown was a candidate in 2011, but his name did not make the list of finalists.

Jerry Rice was honored in 2010, and many of us believe that once a player is an Oakland Raider, he is always an Oakland Raider. We celebrate his enshrinement, just as we certainly appreciate and celebrate the enshrinement of each and every one of those on the list below. 

Perhaps Raider Nation should become more active in nominating and campaigning to get more Oakland Raiders enshrined. It sounds like a good idea. What do you think?

Go Raiders! 

Raiders In the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Name	Pos	Seasons	Inducted
Jim Otto	C	1960-1974	1980
George Blanda	QB/K	1967-1975	1981
Willie Brown	CB	1967-1978	1984
Gene Upshaw	G	1967-1982	1987
Fred Biletnikoff	WR	1965-1978	1988
Art Shell	T	1968-1982	1989
Ted Hendricks	LB	1975-1983	1990
Al Davis	Owner	1963-present	1992
Mike Haynes	CB	1983-1989	1997
Eric Dickerson	RB	1992	1999
Howie Long	DE	1981-1993	2000
Ronnie Lott	S	1991-1992	2000
Dave Casper	TE	1974-1980, 1984	2002
Marcus Allen	RB	1982-1992	2003
James Lofton	WR	1987-1988	2003
Bob Brown	OT	1971-1973	2004
John Madden	Head Coach	1969-1978	2006
Rod Woodson	S	2002-2003	2009
Jerry Rice	WR	2001-2004	2010