(NFL): Former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Steve McMichael is one of three senior committee finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he is the only former Packers player who was selected as a finalist. Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar and former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Art Powell are the other two finalists.
Additionally, former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Holmgren was passed over as the senior committee’s finalist from the coach/contributor category. Former Detroit Lions head coach Buddy Parker, who led the Lions to two NFL Championships, was selected instead.
Each finalist must receive at least 80% of votes from the 50-person selection committee when they next meet.
Former Green Bay Packers Defensive Lineman Steve McMichael Is a Finalist for the Hall of Fame (NFL)
Steve McMichael, of course, is best known for his long career with the Chicago Bears. He won the 1985 Super Bowl as part of one of the best defenses in NFL history. However, his time in Chicago was bookended by his first NFL season with the New England Patriots in 1980 and his final NFL season with the Packers in 1994.
McMichael finished his NFL career with 95.0 sacks, two Pro Bowls, two Second Team All Pros, and two First Team All Pros.
Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Sterling Sharpe Was Snubbed (NFL)
There is no question that Art Powell deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. And in all fairness, he has been waiting a lot longer than Sharpe has (Powell played in the NFL from 1959-1968).
That being said, Sharpe put up similar, if not better, numbers during his career, which unfortunately did not last as long (Powell played for 10 seasons while Sharpe played for seven):
| Art Powell | Sterling Sharpe | |
| Receptions | 479 | 595 |
| Yards | 8,046 | 8,134 |
| Touchdowns | 81 | 65 |
| All Pros | 2 | 3 |
| Pro Bowls | 4 | 5 |
Again, there is no question that Powell is deserving of a place in Canton, but so is Sharpe and he put up better numbers in fewer seasons.
Unfortunately, Powell passed away in 2015 at the age of 78. This brings into focus a point that Packers legend Gilbert Brown has made repeatedly on his shows and podcasts: who cares about the limit of how many players can go into the Hall of Fame in one year? If they deserve to be in, put them in, and do it before they are too old to enjoy it or, worse, no longer with us to accept the honor.
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