Harry Carson Asks Name Removed From HoF Voting
Axtell
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in Sports Talk
From HarryCarson.com:
"For those who need to know…..
There are many people who've wonder why I've taken the unprecedented step of asking officials to have my name removed from consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Before I get into some of the reasons I'd like to thank all of you who have supported me over the years both as a player with the Giants during the 70s and 80s, then after my career ended. I cherish and enjoyed my 13 years of playing in the National Football League and I'm proud of my tenure and my on the field accomplishments as a New York Giant, which brings me to the first of several reasons for my request.
I came into the league faced with the challenge to learn and master a new position at the highest level of the game, one I had never played before, middle linebacker. Having played defensive end and some nose tackle in college I was selected by Marty Schottenheimer then linebacker coach and defensive coordinator to be a run stopper for the Giants. Marty was responsible for my development as I "played at a small black school that didn't play the caliber of football that the major schools played" as I was told by sources. I worked hard to learn the position on the field but also in the classroom off the field. Subsequently I went on to make the All-Rookie team in 1976. By achieving that honor it validated Marty's choice in choosing me. After playing for the Giants several years and under Marty's tutoring I was able to master the middle linebacker position to a point of being named NFC Linebacker of the Year in 1978 and 1979. From there I went on to play the inside linebacker position under Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick where I was once named the #1 Inside Linebacker of All Time by Pro Football Weekly Magazine. Through my career I went on to be selected and play in 9 Pro Bowls. The significance of those 9 Pro Bowl selections was that only players I played against could elect me. Neither my Giant teammates nor coaches had a role or vote in me making those 9 Pro Bowls. For me, those selections were symbols of respect and recognition of my abilities even when my team at times "stunk". I made a number of All-NFC and All NFL teams during my career and was team captain for ten of my 13 seasons as a Giant player. When I retired I had the opportunity to play for 5 different NFL teams including the Giants as a "Plan B" free agent but it was my desire to walk away from the game on my own terms, proud of my 13 year career. I left the game wanting my legacy to be that of a New York Giant. My feelings have always been (in regards to post football career honors) that I never wanted my accomplishments as a player to be tarnished or diminished in any way. With the 10 plus years of scrutiny by writers to determine whether I belong or not I feel that my careers honors indeed have been tarnished.
My second reason to have my name removed from consideration is: Each year as the Hall of Fame nomination list is announced I've been honored to be mentioned as many of the other players I played with and against for that honor. For the years that I've been a nominee or finalist I've seen a few of those players move on to be elected to the Hall. I've seen even more of those nominated players not advance as far as I had. As a finalist for the last 5 or 6 years I've seen the hopes of my family and friends dashed as they've allowed their hopes and feelings to get the best of them. I feel that every nominated player is deserving of consideration and I know every finalist deserves a place in Canton and while I have never been personally disappointed at not being elected I've felt the pain of family members and close friends who have experienced the pain of disappointment. From a very selfish standpoint I wish not to continue to subject my loved ones to the pain and disappointment I've witnessed year after year.
At 50, I realize that my life has been full of great experiences that I may have never tasted without football. For most who don't know me personally you might find it hard to understand my logic or reasons but making the Hall of Fame is not and has never been important to me. At 50, I choose not to be remembered as a player who was known by those in the media as a "loser" when I was passed over for an honor much like soap opera star Susan Lucci experienced on her many nominations for an Emmy Award. At 50, I don't want to be a part of any debate regarding the subject, that's not what I want my life to be about. I've been told by many well meaning people that they will be praying for me and making the Hall. I appreciate their prayers but would rather for them to direct their prayers toward bringing about world peace or defeating hunger and homelessness. At 50, I feel a sense of power and maturity I've never experienced as a younger man. I feel empowered to say "Thanks, but no thanks!" and feel good and comfortable about it. By taking this stand which is my own personal choice I'm taking back my power denying anyone the opportunity to make decisions and judgment calls on me as a man or what I did more than 15 years ago.
I understand that I'm in a very unique situation. It's one that hardly anyone who reads this open letter will be able to identify with. I know that my decision will puzzle some and ruffle the feathers of others. That being said, I want all to know that these are my sincere feelings regarding this subject. There will be some who will doubt that sincerity and perhaps call my actions "a ploy" to gain attention or sympathy to be elected. Those who might question my motives undoubtedly don't know me nor understand what makes me tick. By taking this action I very much know that I'm cutting my own throat for any future considerations because if I ever go back on my request or words of request my action will be considered hypocritical. So I've thought long and hard about my decision and the ramifications which bring me to the final reason to have my name removed from consideration:
Election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor any football player can achieve; after what I feel I've accomplished as a player to be considered is good enough for me. After the number of considerations I've had, I ask that the football writers look at the credentials of all the other well deserving finalists. I feel very blessed and fortunate to know how my former team mates, coaches and even those whom I played against (players and coaches) feel about my play and this issue. I've derived a great deal of strength and encouragement from their words of encouragement and support. As long as I know that I've earned their respect ultimately that is what is most important to me.
I consider this matter closed and wish to move forward with my life.
Sincerely,
Harry Carson"
I say it's an awesome move on his part. He should have been in years ago...but these ridiculous HoF voters hold these players hostage every single year. Example, how does a guy like Michael Irvin not make it in on the first ballot, just because some voters were put off by what happened off the field?
"For those who need to know…..
There are many people who've wonder why I've taken the unprecedented step of asking officials to have my name removed from consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Before I get into some of the reasons I'd like to thank all of you who have supported me over the years both as a player with the Giants during the 70s and 80s, then after my career ended. I cherish and enjoyed my 13 years of playing in the National Football League and I'm proud of my tenure and my on the field accomplishments as a New York Giant, which brings me to the first of several reasons for my request.
I came into the league faced with the challenge to learn and master a new position at the highest level of the game, one I had never played before, middle linebacker. Having played defensive end and some nose tackle in college I was selected by Marty Schottenheimer then linebacker coach and defensive coordinator to be a run stopper for the Giants. Marty was responsible for my development as I "played at a small black school that didn't play the caliber of football that the major schools played" as I was told by sources. I worked hard to learn the position on the field but also in the classroom off the field. Subsequently I went on to make the All-Rookie team in 1976. By achieving that honor it validated Marty's choice in choosing me. After playing for the Giants several years and under Marty's tutoring I was able to master the middle linebacker position to a point of being named NFC Linebacker of the Year in 1978 and 1979. From there I went on to play the inside linebacker position under Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick where I was once named the #1 Inside Linebacker of All Time by Pro Football Weekly Magazine. Through my career I went on to be selected and play in 9 Pro Bowls. The significance of those 9 Pro Bowl selections was that only players I played against could elect me. Neither my Giant teammates nor coaches had a role or vote in me making those 9 Pro Bowls. For me, those selections were symbols of respect and recognition of my abilities even when my team at times "stunk". I made a number of All-NFC and All NFL teams during my career and was team captain for ten of my 13 seasons as a Giant player. When I retired I had the opportunity to play for 5 different NFL teams including the Giants as a "Plan B" free agent but it was my desire to walk away from the game on my own terms, proud of my 13 year career. I left the game wanting my legacy to be that of a New York Giant. My feelings have always been (in regards to post football career honors) that I never wanted my accomplishments as a player to be tarnished or diminished in any way. With the 10 plus years of scrutiny by writers to determine whether I belong or not I feel that my careers honors indeed have been tarnished.
My second reason to have my name removed from consideration is: Each year as the Hall of Fame nomination list is announced I've been honored to be mentioned as many of the other players I played with and against for that honor. For the years that I've been a nominee or finalist I've seen a few of those players move on to be elected to the Hall. I've seen even more of those nominated players not advance as far as I had. As a finalist for the last 5 or 6 years I've seen the hopes of my family and friends dashed as they've allowed their hopes and feelings to get the best of them. I feel that every nominated player is deserving of consideration and I know every finalist deserves a place in Canton and while I have never been personally disappointed at not being elected I've felt the pain of family members and close friends who have experienced the pain of disappointment. From a very selfish standpoint I wish not to continue to subject my loved ones to the pain and disappointment I've witnessed year after year.
At 50, I realize that my life has been full of great experiences that I may have never tasted without football. For most who don't know me personally you might find it hard to understand my logic or reasons but making the Hall of Fame is not and has never been important to me. At 50, I choose not to be remembered as a player who was known by those in the media as a "loser" when I was passed over for an honor much like soap opera star Susan Lucci experienced on her many nominations for an Emmy Award. At 50, I don't want to be a part of any debate regarding the subject, that's not what I want my life to be about. I've been told by many well meaning people that they will be praying for me and making the Hall. I appreciate their prayers but would rather for them to direct their prayers toward bringing about world peace or defeating hunger and homelessness. At 50, I feel a sense of power and maturity I've never experienced as a younger man. I feel empowered to say "Thanks, but no thanks!" and feel good and comfortable about it. By taking this stand which is my own personal choice I'm taking back my power denying anyone the opportunity to make decisions and judgment calls on me as a man or what I did more than 15 years ago.
I understand that I'm in a very unique situation. It's one that hardly anyone who reads this open letter will be able to identify with. I know that my decision will puzzle some and ruffle the feathers of others. That being said, I want all to know that these are my sincere feelings regarding this subject. There will be some who will doubt that sincerity and perhaps call my actions "a ploy" to gain attention or sympathy to be elected. Those who might question my motives undoubtedly don't know me nor understand what makes me tick. By taking this action I very much know that I'm cutting my own throat for any future considerations because if I ever go back on my request or words of request my action will be considered hypocritical. So I've thought long and hard about my decision and the ramifications which bring me to the final reason to have my name removed from consideration:
Election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the most prestigious honor any football player can achieve; after what I feel I've accomplished as a player to be considered is good enough for me. After the number of considerations I've had, I ask that the football writers look at the credentials of all the other well deserving finalists. I feel very blessed and fortunate to know how my former team mates, coaches and even those whom I played against (players and coaches) feel about my play and this issue. I've derived a great deal of strength and encouragement from their words of encouragement and support. As long as I know that I've earned their respect ultimately that is what is most important to me.
I consider this matter closed and wish to move forward with my life.
Sincerely,
Harry Carson"
I say it's an awesome move on his part. He should have been in years ago...but these ridiculous HoF voters hold these players hostage every single year. Example, how does a guy like Michael Irvin not make it in on the first ballot, just because some voters were put off by what happened off the field?
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