Pat Tillman: HOF?

Baseball Hall had a similar debate as it started. Landis wanted Eddie Grant, a former player killed in WWI, to be in the first class at Cooperstown. It was rejected pretty quickly by the voters, who of course listed Marty Bergen on their ballots. Bergen's claim to fame was killing his family. He got two votes.

 

Nice pull.

 

Mojo!

 

But the first part of that adage is "offense gets the glory". So, there's your answer.

 

Echoing the sentiments many of us have expressed in this thread: Canton Can Find Place for Tillman

 

Bernard Malamud would've written it that way, but they would have changed it for the movie.

 

Not saying I agree, but pretty solid argument from Bianchi:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-bianchi3101312009,0,3374322.column

 

Tillman was a heroic story. But he is not a Hall of Famer. Period.

 

I agree. But it's a good column and raises some interesting points.

 

I think maybe they ought to have a room devoted to players like Tillman, Rocky Bleier and the like. Give them a presence in Canton somewhere.

 

That would seem to be the best option.

 

I remember when Lawrence Taylor was being considered for induction and there was a debate about whether or not his off-the-field character issues (drug problems, etc.) should disqualify him from being inducted.
Regardless of what Taylor did off the field, he was the best ever to play his position. That's why he deserves to be in the hall of fame.
Regardless of what Tillman did off the field that was indicative of good character, his playing career was not good enough to make him a worthy inductee.
If bad off-the-field character should not keep an otherwise qualified player out of the hall of fame, good off-the-field character should not allow an otherwise unqualified player to be inducted.