The world according to Jim:
• There is this, at least: Those of us who vote for baseball’s Hall of Fame are encouraged to publish our ballots and explain (and defend, in many cases) our work. It’s not mandatory – though it should be – but that openness is an important part of the process and part of why there is so much discussion and attention and caring when the vote is announced every January.
In the case of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, conversely, the process is so opaque to be confounding. Thus, Thursday night’s announcement of Canton’s Class of 2024 – and the omission of former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, a first-time candidate and finalist – leaves questions that can’t possibly be answered adequately, lest someone break the veil of secrecy. …
• Gates, a former Kent State basketball player who became a crucial weapon in the Chargers’ offense from 2003-18 (and whose techniques can still be seen from current Chargers wideout Keenan Allen, among others), will assuredly get other chances. His numbers – 955 career receptions, 11,841 yards and tight end records for touchdown catches (116), multi-touchdown games (21), third-down touchdown catches (39) and seasons of eight or more TD receptions (eight), make the case. And he passed the eye test long ago for those of us who watched the San Diego Chargers over those years and witnessed firsthand the contributions of Gates, LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers to an explosive offense.
Yes, this is a head-scratcher.
Antonio Gates not being a first ballot is an absolute embarrassment, they should be ashamed.
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) February 9, 2024
It would be nice to know exactly why he was cast aside this time, while Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis and senior candidates Steve McMichael and Randy Gradishar got in. But, again, secrecy. …
• This is the process: There are 50 selection committee members, almost…
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