The NFL Hall of Fame inducted its four newest members today, among them, former Denver Broncos QB John Elway and Former Detroit Lions RB Barry Sanders.
It seems to me interesting that the two are of a seemingly forgotten era; both played for one team their entire NFL career. While I'm not a huge Elway fan (though there's something compelling about a man who throws for almost 30 miles in his career), Elway WAS Denver for his tenure there. Much maligned until his final years for "failing to win the big one", he got them to the dance more than any other QB, and finished off his career with a win. He was truly a class act, even if you weren't a Broncos fan.
Barry Sanders retired a controversial figure for the WAY he retired. He gave the game his all for 11 seasons, only to see a continually decreased committment to winning.He finished with over 15,000 running yards, third only to Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. It is incomprehensible to most that he would have left the game with less than 1500 yards to go for the then rushing record, but the decision was his and his alone to make.
As a sports fan, I salute both of these men. I was a diehard fan of the latter, not so much so of the former. Even so, Elway gave me many great Sundays (and Monday nights), even when I was rooting against him. Both men are rightfully where they belong today.
signing off,
Gideon MacLeish