Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks. (Photo by Brook Ward, via Flickr)
The 2021 NFL Hall of Fame class has been announced. The players are Alan Faneca, John Lynch, Calvin Johnson, Charles Woodson, and Peyton Manning. There is also the Senior Inductee Drew Pearson, Contributor Bill Nunn, and Coach Tom Flores. It’s quite the class.
Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson were no doubters. Lynch and Faneca can be argued into the before mentioned group. Calvin Johnson is a bit of a surprise when you consider Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne are both waiting for their calls. Both of those guys rank higher on the all-time wide receiver ranks than Johnson.
It is great to see a former Seahawk get the call. For those that don’t know, that is Tom Flores. The first-ever Super Bowl-winning Latino head coach. Flores’ last head coaching stop was with Seattle. Unfortunately, those three years were not very successful. He compiled a .292 winning percentage with a 14-34 record.
So, what other members of the Seattle Seahawks fraternity could be getting the call to the Hall?
His coaching career isn’t over just yet. My guess is when Pete Carroll’s current contract expires, he’ll enjoy retirement. If his coaching resume stands as is, with one Super Bowl and a pair of NFC Championships, there will be many discussions about his candidacy.
During his 15-year NFL head coaching career, Carroll only has three losing seasons and a .606 win percentage in the regular season. He also won 21 playoff games.
Prediction – As of now, he gets elected either right before being a Senior coach selection or as a Senior coach selection. Another long playoff run would certainly help his resume.
Mike Holmgren is more remembered as the Green Bay Packers head coach that led Brett Favre to his only Super Bowl victory. But Holmgren coached in Seattle longer than he did in Green Bay. A couple of similarities to Carroll- only three losing seasons and one Super Bowl Championship.
Holmgren compiled a .600 win percentage in the regular season and a 556 win percentage in the playoffs.
Prediction– Same as, but slightly after Carroll.
When the day comes that Russell Wilson hangs up his cleats, he won’t have long to wait for his Gold Jacket. What will be debated is whether he gets in as first-ballot Hall of Famer or not. RW3 is a seven-time Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champ. His list of accolades will continue to grow the longer he plays.
Prediction– In as soon as his five-year wait period is over.
Owner of one of the best in-game quotes to be caught live on air. “We want the ball and we’re going to score!” Matt Hasselbeck retired with 36,638 passing yards putting him 26th all time. He’s also a three-time Pro-Bowler. The 17-year NFL vet never led the league in any category nor won an MVP or a Super Bowl. His Hal of Fame Resume is lacking by quarterback standards.
Prediction – Unlikely.
The Seattle Seahawks all-time rushing leader, Shaun Alexander ranks 36th in career rushing yards with 9,453. He’s a three-time Pro-Bowler and one-time First-Team All-Pro. He finished his career with averages of 76.9 rushing yards a game (1,219 scrimmage yards a year), 4.3 yards-per-carry (4.6 yards per touch), and 12.4 touchdowns per year.
In 2005, Alexander led the league in rushing with 1,880 yards and 28 total touchdowns (27 rushing and 1 receiving), winning the MVP and AP Offensive Player of the year. That good for the NFL’s 12th most rushing yards in a season.
From 2001 – 2005, Alexander had over 1,600 total yards and 16 touchdowns. A good reason why he was named to the NFL All-2000s team.
Prediction– Gets in as Senior selection.
Ricky Watters is 24th in career rushing yards with 10,643. Spending 10 years in the NFL, he was a five-time Pro-Bowler and a Super Bowl winner (XXIX). Amazingly, he gained over 1,000 yards seven of ten years. Maybe one of the least liked players of all time; it complicates his chances of reaching the Hall-of-Fame.
Prediction– Waters gets in as Senior selection, eventually.
One of the most feared running backs of all time, Marshawn Lynch ranks 29th with 10,413 career rushing yards. He’s also a five-time Pro-Bowler, 1one-time First-Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl winner. Beast Mode is arguably one of the most loved Seattle Seahawks ever.
An interesting note on Lynch’s career, he scored more career touchdowns (94) than Watters (91) but less than Alexander (112). Lynch also has more rushing yards than Alexander but less than Watters. Lynch hasn’t been out of football for five years yet. As a matter of fact, at 35-years-old, he may want to play again. You can’t keep a good Beast Mode down.
Prediction – He’s the only one of these running backs who gets voted into the hall without being a Senior Selection.
Earl Thomas was instrumental in creating the Legion of Boom and bringing a title to the Emerald City. The ending of his Seahawks career was, ahem, rough, to put it nicely. Few 12s will forget him flipping off the Seahawks sideline as he was being carted off the field.
The likely end to his career was worse. He was run over by Derrick Henry in a playoff game. To be fair, Thomas isn’t the only defender that Henry trucked during a game.
After one year in Baltimore, Thomas was released from the team for conduct detrimental. Then this is the domestic abuse incident. Thomas was the victim of his wife pointing a loaded weapon at his head after finding him in bed with another woman.
Thomas was a seven-time Pro-Bowler, three-time First-Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl winner. During his peak, he was the premier free safety in the league. His HOF candidacy will be interesting to watch. ET3’s play on the field leaves no doubt. His “torching bridges” in Seattle and Baltimore will raise questions about how long he needs to wait.
Prediction– Makes it in on maybe his second or third time on the ballot.
Another founding father of the Legion of Boom. Richard Sherman is a five-time Pro-Bowler, three-time First-Team All-Pro, and Super Bowl winner. Currently tied for 117th on the list of career interceptions with 36, Sherman would have more if opposing quarterbacks weren’t afraid to throw in his direction.
Sherman is of the best trash talkers to come through the NFL. He was vocal off the field as well. He may have rubbed some of his coaches the wrong way, not to mention the media.
Prediction– Sherman is a Hall of Famer. If he doesn’t make it on the first ballot, his selection will come on the next one.
Bobby Wagner is a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame. Also, like his draft class buddy Russ, Wagner is still putting up franchise-best numbers. He’s already Seattle’s all-time leading tackler. A quick check of his HOF credentials shows a seven-time Pro-Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro, and Super Bowl winner.
Prediction– As soon as his five year wait period is over.
The final founding father of the Legion of Boom. Kam Chancellor is most likely destined to be a Senior Selection if he gets elected at all. Unfortunately, Bam Bam had a short career. Over that time, he didn’t rack up the money stats. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner. It’s a shame his career ended so short as he was the successor to John Lynch when it came to dishing out hits.
Prediction– Gets in eventually as Senior selection.
Soon we’ll be adding Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf to the list of Seahawks Hall of Famers. Provided they continue doing what they’re doing. Love to hear your thoughts on this list and who else should be considered.