OT: Should Ray Lewis be inducted into the Hall of Fame
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:48 PM ^
is labelling him as a murderer. Murderers, even rich ones, aren't able to strike plea deals and then testify against two people and expect those two to not turn against him. Georgia is a death penalty state. I don't care how close I am with someone, I'm not getting fried if I know someone else did the crime.
If he did it, those friends would've started singing like Mike Vicks' friends.
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:10 PM ^
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's induction criteria specificially states that off-field activities not be considered when voting on inductees.
So yes, he should.
As to whether the criteria should be what it is.....I am a baseball fan above all other pro sports. I loathe what the baseball hall has become, and how it is up to voters to suppose whether or not players used PED's etc.
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:21 PM ^
The difference is that baseball's potential HOF players were cheating at the game.
If Ray Lewis were caught cheating in football, I would not support him as a Hall-of-Famer.
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^
Agreed. Cheating in the sport is not an "off the field" issue at all, as it shouldn't be. Issues that have nothing to do with how good an athlete is at their sport should not have any bearing on whether or not they are hall of fame calibre.
January 23rd, 2013 at 4:17 PM ^
Yes he is a HOFer. Now for a real question, How do you think the publicity from the murder accusation effected his career? Do you think he would have had the "Ray Ray" persona with out the publicity? I believe it gave him an edge. He was a bad man before this but once it happened people were like let's watch Ray to see if he kills someone. I also believe he upped his game to prove everyone that said he was just a thug wrong.
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:09 PM ^
Stop. The. Idiocy.
Also, can there be a higher point threshold for starting threads?
January 23rd, 2013 at 5:21 PM ^
I'm confused . . .
- Is the pope Catholic?
- Is Michigan the best University in the State of Michigan?
- Is MGoBlog the best Michigan sports blog ever?
- Is it nice to have money in your wallet?
- Is Kate Upton attractive?
Yes, Ray Lewis should be in the Hall of Fame. I guess I'm confused, because that question is about the same as the above . . . patently obvious that he will be in the HOF.
January 23rd, 2013 at 6:44 PM ^
I think Lewis should have gotten some jail time, but his debt to society has been paid in full, according to the law. I don't think he should get hired for a cushy studio job when he is finished, but I think the Hall of Fame in any sport should only be about what the person did on the field.
Using today's "standards," Ty Cobb probably doesn't make it, nor does Rogers Hornsby, who used to get himself ejected from games on purpose to make it to the racetrack on time. Would Mickey Mantle be allowed in with his well-documented alcohol problem if the election was held today?
Most Hall of Fame elections are held by writers who never played, but are looking for excuses to deny entry to many of those who did play and played well.
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:09 PM ^