The time has come for Cris Carter. Carter, who retired in the year 2002. Carter played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins for a total of 15 seasons. This weekend Carter will fInally get his named called at the NFL Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Carter, being from Middletown, Ohio and playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes his final moment of football will end in the state where he began his pro football dreams.
Carter finished his career with 1,101 receptions, 130 touchdowns, and over 13,000 yards. On paper Carter should have been a first-ballot selection, but with off the field issues early in his career, and a perceived “me first” attitude that may have rubbed voters the wrong way Carter had to wait longer than expected.
For some odd reason when it comes to NFL Hall of Fame voting it seems like they treat the wide receiver position like a step child. I don’t know if it is the prima donna attitude or the dependency of other positions for them to succeed, but something is not right.
Football is the ultimate team sport. There isn’t a position that can flourish all by themselves. In the past ten years or so Wide Receivers such as Andre Reed, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Art Monk (Inducted in 2008), Sterling Sharpe, and Michael Irvin (Inducted in 2007) has been passed up at some point during their eligibility period.
Despite being inducted in 2007 and 2008 respectively, Michael Irvin and Art Monk fell victim to being passed over by the Hall of Fame voters.
Both had the stats, hardware, and rings to prove their worth, but were passed on several times. Irvin did have his share of run ins with the law, but his impact on the field was obvious.
It is just mind-boggling at times to see Wide Receivers get treated so bad when it comes to the voting. With Cris Carter being inducted it leaves other wide receivers on the edge of the seat to see if their name will be called for next years class.
If Carter, Irvin, and Monk had any advice to give to them, it would be that patience is a virtue.
They do receivers dirty.. And Carter should’ve been first ballot , his personal life should’ve held him back.. Best Buckeye receiver of all time