From GoogleImages
As you probably all know ex-Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome "The Bus" Bettis failed to receive enough votes for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second straight year. Last year he was beaten out by Curtis Martin and was not helped by ex-Steeler Dermontti Dawson being on the ballot, who WAS voted in. Martin is the NFL's 5th all-time career rusher while Bettis is 6th with only 22 yards separating them.
Personally, I think players who are in the top ten of any significant career category such as passing, rushing, receiving yards, etc. at the time of their retirement should AUTOMATICALLY be inducted into the HOF. That is, no vote should be necessary unless they've, subsequent to their retirement, committed murder or something. If a situation occurs like last year when Martin ranked above Bettis in rushing then, at worst, the lower-ranked player should be AUTOMATICALLY inducted into the HOF the NEXT season. The fact that Cris Carter had not been elected prior to this year would not have been an issue as he should have been AUTOMATICALLY inducted years ago as he is the 9th all-time leader in pass receiving yards.
Bettis has been done an incredible disservice but, unfortunately, may not make it next year either as Andre Reed, who is the 12th all-time receiving yardage leader has yet to be elected and should also be in the hall. Bettis has been caught in a log-jam of both Steeler and past-due players being sent to the Hall that appears to be continuing.
Plus, I just had to post the photo of him running over Brian Urlacher for a TD in his last (and may I add, Super Bowl-winning) season just one more time.
From GoogleImages
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