Michael T. Mondak speaks about the Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists

It came to my attention yesterday that once again, former Steeler Hines Ward, 2x Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl XL MVP, and the franchise leader in career receptions, was snubbed as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  There are many theories that suggest why:

  • The Pro Football Hall of Fame has too many Steelers represented
  • There is a perceived bias against the Steelers
  • Statistics
All are good theories, but there is one overlooked theory I suggest:  Ed Bouchette, the Steelers beat writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a member of the selection committee, is hurting Hines Ward’s chances of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Why do I suggest this?  Back in 1996, when Lynn Swann was not inducted into the Hall of Fame, Myron Cope, the legendary voice of the Steelers, resigned from his membership on the selection committee, citing that he was hurting Lynn Swann’s chances of being inducted (Swann was inducted in 2001).  If Myron Cope could resign from the selection committee in 1996 over Lynn Swann, then Ed Bouchette in 2025 can do the same thing over Hines Ward by resigning from the selection committee.

Again, how many times do I have to say this?  Until Hines Ward is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, then do not expect me to drive my Hyundai anywhere near George Halas Drive in Canton, Ohio.

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