Is this Hines HOF year?

[Confluence]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-pro-football-hall-of-fame-predictions-eli-manning-hines-ward-among-possible-inductees/

After Eli, Hines is highlighted. LC Greenwood also mentioned positively in the most pro-Steeler HOF article in recent memory.

 

[Punxsutawney]

The biggest issue Ward faces is that he played in an era where receiving stats exploded and his own were held back, as he spent most of his prime years in run-heavy offensive schemes.

He definitely "deserves" to be in the HoF, but so do so many other WRs, with more frequently becoming eligible due how open the NFL passing game has become.

I know people emphasize his blocking as something that should give him an edge in consideration, but whether it should or not, it doesn't seem to be something the voters will weigh much.

Ward also is confronted with being eclipsed on his own team in terms of receiving performance by Antonio Brown directly after he retired.

Regardless of what one thinks of him as a person, Brown had a Jerry Rice-level stretch of dominance in the 2010s, and may very well receive more consideration than Ward has when he becomes eligible.

 

[Steelr4evr]

I think Ward should go and definitely L.C.Greenwood. L.C. should have went in the same year Mean Joe Greene went in.

OT Jon Kolb is another guy who got seriously overlooked.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Ward has an impressive playoff resume in addition to his playoff stats that is often overlooked, IMO.

 

[BLITZ]

Taking off my Steelers goggles for a minute.

Hines- Yes. best blocking wide receiver ever. He changed the game. a complete WR

LC- Yes. I think the NFL missed out hear. LC should be in on his own. But the NFL should have done something unprecedented and put the entire dline of that team in. the Sreel Curtain deserves to be in.

Kolb- not sure. probs not.

 

[stillwright]

Yep yep....this is Hines year. Hopefully. One of my all time Favorite Steelers.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Taking off my Steelers goggles for a minute.

Hines- Yes. best blocking wide receiver ever. He changed the game. a complete WR

LC- Yes. I think the NFL missed out hear. LC should be in on his own. But the NFL should have done something unprecedented and put the entire dline of that team in. the Sreel Curtain deserves to be in.

Kolb- not sure. probs not.

Webster didn't do it all on his own on that line. Kolb was a huge part of it. Kolb was an absolute beast as well.

It's weird that only Webster and Greene are the only men to go in the HOF from the OL/DL of those teams.

L.C. and Kolb played from 1969 to 1981 for the Steelers. That's the entire dynasty from before it started to the end.



I'll be happy if L.C. gets the nod.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I think Ward should go and definitely L.C.Greenwood. L.C. should have went in the same year Mean Joe Greene went in.

OT Jon Kolb is another guy who got seriously overlooked.

Don’t rule out James Harrison, he should go in now. Changed the game and a DPOY. Also endured the “rog” factor. Took over games, and to top the cake has the arguably BEST play in Super Bowl History.

Part of the problem is the abundance of STEELERS players who should be in.


Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

PS

Nice find and post Confluence and t5hink you for all your great post(s) along the way, appreciate them.!!!


Salute the nation

 

[Steelr4evr]

Don’t rule out James Harrison, he should go in now. Changed the game and a DPOY. Also endured the “rog” factor. Took over games, and to top the cake has the arguably BEST play in Super Bowl History.

Part of the problem is the abundance of STEELERS players who should be in.


Salute the nation

I think James Harrison is a HOF as well. To do what he did as an undrafted player cut multiple times,is amazing.

Donnie Shell is another guy undrafted that just defied the odds.

Hell, L.C. Greenwood was a 10th round draft pick.

 

[Ike Kelly]

Don’t rule out James Harrison, he should go in now. Changed the game and a DPOY. Also endured the “rog” factor. Took over games, and to top the cake has the arguably BEST play in Super Bowl History.

Part of the problem is the abundance of STEELERS players who should be in.

Salute the nation

Drink brings up an important factoid. There is apparent bias in HOF voting, otherwise why have these multiple additions the past few years to “catch up” players who should have went in decades ago. After Troy’s, Donnie Shell and Cowher’s induction event showed PIT fans will takeover the HOF festivities (which we did massively) I’m not sure the HOF committee will want another Steeler centerpiece induction. Ben will be first ballot next year, so either add Hines and/or Harrison in now or 2026.

 

[madinsomniac]

LC is a political case. The league didnt want him in due to him briefly signing with another league and ultimately forcing them to pay players more in the long run... once tgat set of media goons retired, and tge ones after that... he became an afterthought
His best chance was when they added all those people for the anniversary a few years back.. but the league had too much pull in that...

Ward was always stuck in a line behind flashier WRs.. its like with swann and stalworth... you knew they would eventually get in, but it was going to take time...
you are starting to see future HOF prediction lists from larger national sources with his name on it now, so it will be soon... maybe not this year, but soon

 

[Confluence]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-trims-senior-nominees-down-to-60-l-c-greenwood-five-former-qbs-make-the-cut/

LC Greenwood moves forward

 

[Ike Kelly]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-trims-senior-nominees-down-to-60-l-c-greenwood-five-former-qbs-make-the-cut/

LC Greenwood moves forward

Andy Russell too!

 

[mightyguru]

Ward is better than all those listed in the WR/TE category save for Sterling and he had a shortened career.

 

[mightyguru]

I hope Pat Fischer gets in. His highlight reel is hilarious. He was an estimable dude.

 

[Steelersfan84]

Should be. He's waited long enough.

 

[Confluence]

Andy Russell too!

Missed that....thank you!

 

[Ike Kelly]

Ward is better than all those listed in the WR/TE category save for Sterling and he had a shortened career.

Always thought Sterling was a ten times better football player than his brother.

 

[Badcat]

**** Mike Shanahan. What he did to RG3 is criminal.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I agree with the many here, but also think James Harrison is a strong candidate for the now. I might be a little “sSteelers” focal, but what the hey………


Salute the nation

 

[mightyguru]

RIP Pat Fischer: Nebraska, Cards and Redskins Legend. They gotta put him in now.