Was Michel Irving Drug related problems an issue with the hall of fame ballot?

[Paulypalooza]

It took Michal Irving three years on the finals list of hall of fame ballot before he was inducted to the hall of fame. And he was eligible before that to be inducted before that.

Now I'm not saying that he should of been a no question first time inductee but do you think his off the field problems played a part in making him wait.

Here's a list of who went before him. Some of them no doubt should go before him, others I don't know. I like to limit my football knowledge to people I've seen play. Numbers can only tell you so much, and highlight films are just that highlights.

2006
Troy Aikman
Reggie White
Warren Moon
Harry Carson
Rayfield Wright
John Madden

2005
Dan Marino
Steve Young
Benny Friedman
Fritz Pollard

2004
John Elway
Barry Sanders
Bob "Boomer" Brown
Carl Eller


2003
Elvin Bethea
Joe DeLamielleure
James Lofton
Hank Stram

[silverwhisper]

how did it take so long for madden and hank stram to be inducted?

isn't there a limitation re: the number of inductees/year?

[Detritus]

I think the limit is something like 6 players a year for the main vote. There's also something like the Veteran's Committee from baseball that can choose one or two old-timers a year for enshrinement.

Irvin's drug issues might have kept him out for a year or two, but I don't think he was a slam-dunk first ballot guy. He certainly wasn't quite in the Elway/Sanders/Marino range. Steve Young, maybe.

[Archer]

I personally don't believe he belongs in the HoF based on his career. But then, I thought the same thing about Aikman.

As far as off the field problems go as related to the Hall of Fame, I think the HoF should be a showcase of the best and brightest parts of the game. As in, what every youngster who is interested in the sport should aspire to be. So I think personality flaws, character issues, and criminal records should all be taken into consideration.

I also think that most fans disagree with me.