When a football player is making his way through the ranks – from Pop Warner to high school, college, and the NFL – they almost always have a bucket list of things they’d like to accomplish in their career. It doesn’t matter who you are, there’s one goal at the top of everyone’s list – the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, that dream won’t become a reality for everyone. There are more than one million high school football players at any given time, but only about 7% of them will continue their careers in college. From there, only about 1% of all college football players will earn an opportunity to play professionally.
And that’s just to make it to the NFL. If they want to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they’ll have to prove themselves on football’s biggest stage. Considering only about 1% of all NFL players make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, your chances of doing so are slim – and that’s an understatement.
Former Legends Who Deserve a Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction
Counting the Class of 2023, which welcomed nine new inductees, there are currently 371 members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and that number includes players, coaches, and executives. Considering more than 25,000 players have suited up in the history of the NFL, that number is surprising and astounding.
The nine newest inductees include LB/DE DeMarcus Ware, LB Zach Thomas, OT Joe Thomas, CB Ken Riley, CB Darrelle Revis, DL Joe Klecko, LB Chuck Howley, coach Don Coryell, and DB Ronde Barber – all of whom are legends in the National Football League and more than deserving of the honor.
With that said, there are a special group of players who many fans feel are deserving of that honor, but have yet to get that historic call. While it’s easy to be biased, these players we’re about to highlight below are almost universally regarded as HOF-caliber players – but we’ll have to wait to see if they get inducted.
Without further delay, let’s go ahead and meet the NFL’s all-time biggest Pro Football Hall of Fame snubs (in no particular order).
20. Roger Craig
Roger Craig was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 49 overall (2nd round) pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 11 years in the league with the 49ers, Vikings, and Raiders. He was the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season.
Craig retired after the 1993 season with 8,189 rushing yards, 56 rushing touchdowns, 4,911 receiving yards, and 17 receiving touchdowns. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, three-time Super Bowl champion, and one-time Offensive Player of the Year. He’s a member of the HOF All-1980s team.
19. Ken Anderson
Ken Anderson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 67 overall (3rd round) pick in the 1971 NFL Draft. He went on to spend his entire 16-year career with the Bengals. He not only led the league in passing yards twice (1974 and 1975), but also in completion percentage three times (1974, 1982, 1983).
Anderson retired after the 1986 season with 32,838 passing yards, 197 passing touchdowns, and a 91-81-0 record as a starting quarterback. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, and was named the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Bert Bell Award winner at the end of the 1981 season.
18. Leslie O’Neal
Leslie O’Neal was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 8 overall (1st round) pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 13 seasons in the league with the Chargers, Chiefs, and Rams. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1986, but missed the entire 1987 season due to a knee injury.
O’Neal retired after the 1999 season with 767 total tackles, 132.5 sacks, 21 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns. He was named to six Pro Bowls, including back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1989 and 1990, and four consecutive Pro Bowls between 1992 and 1995.
17. Tommy Nobis
Tommy Nobis was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 1 overall (1st round) pick in the 1966 NFL Draft and the No. 5 overall (1st round) pick in the 1966 AFL Draft – he chose to play for the Falcons in the NFL, where he spent his entire 11-year career with the team. He decided to retire after the 1976 season.
In 133 games played, Nobis had 12 interceptions, 2 defensive touchdowns, 13 fumble recoveries, and 9.5 sacks (5.0 of which came during his rookie season). He was a five-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, and is a member of the HOF All-1960s Team. He was also the runner-up for Rookie of the Year in 1966.
16. Robert Mathis
Robert Mathis was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 138 overall (5th round) in the 2003 NFL Draft. He went on to spend his entire 13-year career with the Colts, though he didn’t play in the 2014 season due to a torn ACL. He recorded more forced fumbles (54) than any other player in NFL history.
Mathis retired after the 2016 season with 538 total tackles (408 solo), 108 tackles for loss, one safety, 123.0 sacks, 54 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, one interception, 18 passes defensed, and three defensive touchdowns. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, and one-time Super Bowl winner.
15. Lester Hayes
Lester Hayes was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 126 overall (5th round) pick in the 1977 NFL Draft. He went on to spend his entire 10-year career with the team and was a part of the team when they moved from Oakland to Los Angeles. He led the league in interceptions with 13 in the 1980 season.
Hayes retired after the 1986 season with 39 career interceptions (tied-85th all-time), 7 fumble recoveries, and five defensive touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, two-time Super Bowl champion, Defensive Player of the Year in 1980, and a member of the Hall of Fame All-1980s Team.
14. Ottis Anderson
Ottis Anderson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals with the No. 8 overall (1st round) of the 1979 NFL Draft. He went on to spend his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals (8 years) and New York Giants (7 years). He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1979 with 1,913 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Anderson retired after the 1992 season with 10,273 rushing yards, 81 rushing touchdowns, 373 catches, 3,062 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns in 182 games played (125 starts). He was a two-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Giants (1986 and 1990).
13. Karl Mecklenburg
Karl Mecklenburg was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the No. 310 overall (12th round) pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 12 seasons in the league – all of which with the Broncos. He was a 6-time Pro Bowler (including three consecutive Pro Bowls between 1985 and 1987) and 3-time All-Pro.
Mecklenburg retired after the 1994 season with 1,118 total tackles, one safety, 79.0 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns. He had a career-high 13.0 sacks in the 1985 season, 9.5 sacks in the 1986 season, and 9.0 sacks in the 1991 and 1993 seasons.
12. Devin Hester
Devin Hester was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the No. 57 overall (2nd round) pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 11 years in the league with the Chicago Bears (8 years) and Atlanta Falcons (2 years) before spending his final year in the league with the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks.
Hester retired after the 2016 season with 255 catches for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he did most of his damage as a return specialist – where he had 14 punt return TDs and five kick return TDs. He was a 4-time Pro Bowl, 3-time All-Pro, and is a member of the HOF All-2000s and All-2010s Teams.
11. Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 11 overall (1st round) pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 16 years in the league with the Colts (11 years), San Diego Chargers (2 years), Arizona Cardinals (1 year), Atlanta Falcons (1 year), the Detroit Lions, and the Seattle Seahawks.
Freeney retired after the 2017 season with 350 total tackles, 128 tackles for loss, one safety, 47 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one defensive touchdown, 125.5 sacks, and 16 passes defensed. He was a 7-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All-Pro, Super Bowl champion, and a member of the HOF All-200s Team.
10. Torry Holt
Torry Holt was drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 6 overall (1st round) pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 11 seasons in the NFL – 10 years with the Rams and one year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He led the NFL in receptions once (2003) and receiving yards twice (2000, 2003).
Holt retired after the 2009 season and finished his career with 920 receptions, 13,382 receiving yards, and 74 receiving touchdowns in 173 games played. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler (five-straight between 2003 and 2007), one-time All-Pro, one-time Super Bowl winner, and HOF All-2000s Team.
9. Patrick Willis
Patrick Willis was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 11 overall (1st round) pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He went on to spend just eight years in the NFL – all of which with the 49ers. He led the NFL in total tackles twice and solo tackles twice (once as a rookie in 2007 and again two years later in 2009).
Willis retired after the 2014 season with 950 total tackles (733 solo tackles), 60 tackles for loss, 41 QB hits, 16 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 20.5 sacks, 8 interceptions, 2 defensive touchdowns, and 53 passes defensed. He was a 7-time Pro Bowler, 5-time All-Pro, and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2007.
8. Steve Tasker
Steve Tasker was drafted by the Houston Oilers with the No. 226 overall (9th round) pick in the 1985 NFL Draft and went on to spend 13 seasons in the league – two years with the Oilers and another 12 years with the Buffalo Bills. He was a wide receiver, but is one of the greatest special teams players of all-time.
Tasker retired after the 1997 season with 51 catches for 779 yards and 9 receiving touchdowns, but he did most of his damage on special teams – where he recorded 204 tackles, seven blocked punts, and one safety. He was named to 7 Pro Bowls during his career, including 6-straight between 1990 and 1995.
7. Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 1960 AFL Draft, but decided to play in the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 44 overall (4th round) pick in the 1960 NFL Draft. After one year with the Browns, he went on to spend the next 19 years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Marshall retired after the 1979 season with 130.5 sacks, one safety, 30 fumble recoveries, and one interception. He had at least 10 sacks in four different seasons, including a career-high 14.0 sacks in 1969. He was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end and won an NFL championship with the Vikings.
6. L.C. Greenwood
L.C. Greenwood was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 238 overall (10th round) pick in the 1969 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 13 seasons in the NFL – all of which with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and four-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers.
Greenwood retired after the 1981 season with 78.0 sacks, one safety, and 14 fumble recoveries. He had a career-high 11.0 sacks in 1971 and again in 1974 – the only two times he had double-digit sacks. He came close to doing it a third time with 9.0 sacks in 1978. He’s a member of the HOF All-1970s Team.
5. Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 30 overall (1st round) pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 14 seasons in the NFL – all of which with the Colts. He led the league in receiving yards (1,510) in 2007 and had at least 1,000 yards 8 times in his career – including 7-straight.
Wayne retired after the 2014 season with 1,070 receptions, 14,345 receiving yards, and 82 receiving TDs. He was a six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, one-time First-Team All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl with the Colts in 2006. In addition to his eight 1,000-yard seasons, he had at least 10 touchdowns three times.
4. Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson was drafted by the Houston Texans with the No. 3 overall (1st round) pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 14 seasons in the league – 12 of which with the Texans and one season with both the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. He was a 7-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro.
Johnson retired after the 2016 season with 1,062 receptions, 14,185 receiving yards, and 70 receiving touchdowns. He led the league in receptions twice and yards twice, while also having at least 100 receptions in five seasons, at least 1,000 yards in seven seasons, and a career-high nine TDs in 2009.
3. John Abraham
John Abraham was drafted by the New York Jets with the No. 13 overall (1st round) pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 15 seasons in the league with the Jets (6 years), Atlanta Falcons (7 years), and Arizona Cardinals (2 years). He led the league in forced fumbles (6) in the 2001 season.
Abraham retired after the 2014 season with 560 total tackles (463 solo tackles), 148 tackles for loss, one safety, 133.5 sacks, 47 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, one defensive touchdown, one interception, and 30 passes defensed. He had at least 10.0 sacks in eight seasons and was a five-time Pro Bowler.
2. Hines Ward
Hines Ward was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 92 overall (3rd round) pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 14 seasons in the league – all of which with the Steelers. He had at least 1,000 yards in six seasons (four-straight), at least 100 receptions once, and at least 10 TDs three times.
Ward retired after the 2011 season with 1,000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards, and 85 receiving TDs – adding another 428 yards rushing. He was a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers (2006 and 2009), and was named the MVP of Super Bowl XL (in 2006).
1. Steve Smith Sr.
Steve Smith Sr. was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 74 overall (3rd round) pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. He went on to spend 16 seasons in the league – 13 of which with the Panthers and another three years with the Baltimore Ravens. He was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro wide receiver.
Smith Sr. retired after the 2016 season with 1,031 receptions, 14,731 receiving yards, and 81 touchdowns – he had at least 1,000 yards in eight seasons. He won Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 when he led the league in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563), and receiving touchdowns (12) – all of which were career-highs.
Which Active and Recently-Retired Players Will Make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
While we have absolutely no idea what the Pro Football Hall of Fame will look like in five years, there are certainly several recently-retired players who are more than deserving of the honor. Perhaps at the top of that list is Tom Brady, who retired in February and doesn’t appear to be interested in another comeback.
Outside of him, recently-retired players who (at the least) deserve consideration include J.J. Watt, Clay Matthews III, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Rob Gronkowski, Andrew Whitworth, Frank Gore, Jason Witten, Greg Olsen, Maurkice Pouncey, Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri, and Antonio Gates.
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There are also several active players who are currently making a case for their future Pro Football Hall of Fame induction – including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Aaron Donald, Zack Martin, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Tucker, Von Miller, Bobby Wagner, Jason Kelce, T.J. Watt, and Russell Wilson.
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