Politicians love to pass resolutions. It keeps them busy and out of trouble. Most of the resolutions are worthy but full of flowery language and have no earth-shaking impact.
That will almost surely be the case again this week in Sacramento. State Sen. Dave Cortese of San Jose plans to introduce a resolution supporting former NFL quarterback Jim Plunkett’s candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Plunkett, the South Bay native and former Stanford quarterback, is among 31 finalists in the hall’s “Seniors” category. In early December, a Blue Ribbon Committee will trim the list to nine. In February, three of the nine “Seniors” will be elected to the hall along with more recent players.
I am not involved in that process. But I have been a Hall of Fame voter for other sports. And I can testify that no resolution from any state senator ever influenced my thinking. Or the thinking of any other voter I know. What could be Cortese’s motivation?
“Our family’s house was just a short distance from James Lick High School in San Jose, where Jim played high school football,” Cortese explained in a phone call. “I’m proud to have grown up in the same neighborhoods where he was raised.”
So, it’s personal. And a fine gesture. But to be blunt, Plunkett’s selection faces very long odds. Other candidates have thicker curriculum vitaes. They threw for more yards and touchdowns, earned more honors. Plunkett never made a Pro Bowl team. He had a .500 record as a starting quarterback.
Plunkett’s best resume entry? He is one of just 13 quarterbacks to win two or more Super Bowls — and of the 10 who are eligible for Hall of Fame consideration all have been inducted. Except for Plunkett, the MVP of Super Bowl XV with the Raiders.
Off the field
Is that enough? Probably not. But Cortese has built an intriguing additional case, based on Plunkett’s massively influential role helping the NFL become today North America’s most widely followed professional sport. I’m on board with that case, even if it technically violates a voting dictum.
Hall of Fame selection members are instructed to consider “only on-the-field accomplishments” for candidates. Plunkett’s Heisman Trophy at Stanford can’t be a factor. Nor can his inspiring life story of growing up as the son of two blind parents, working part-time jobs while excelling at James Lick to earn his college scholarship.
But guess what? That same “only-on-the-field” standard was in effect in 2006 when hall voters decided whether to induct John Madden as a coach. In Oakland for 10 seasons, he did win 112 games and a Super Bowl. But other coaches who are not in the hall achieved more — including former 49ers coach George Seifert, who won 124 games and two Super Bowls.
Voters were supposed to ignore Madden’s brilliant television work and how he helped create a video game that built NFL interest among millions of young fans. But did they? Of course not. The voters essentially inducted John Madden for being the one and only …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
