Former NFL great Cris Carter will have to hope the shameful Professional Football Hall of Fame voters, are sober enough to be able to read tomorrow, when they cast their votes for the 2010 class of honorees.
How is Carter, arguably the greatest wide receiver in professional football history, not included with players dramatically less talented, and statistically challenged, than he?
For argument's sake, and knowing full well that football isn't baseball, just look at the numbers, and judge for yourself. If Carter isn't deserving of a Hall of Fame berth, it's time some current members withdraw their spots.
If the selection committee's voting was a matter of public record, rather than a closed-door popularity contest, such injustice would not be tolerated, but this isn't baseball, and the system is a joke.
Let's list catches, yards and touchdown receptions for each Hall of Fame member. Compare them to Carter's, and try not to laugh.
Cris Carter: 1,101 catches. 13,899 yards. 130 touchdowns.
Lance Alworth: 542 catches. 10,206 yards. 85 touchdowns.
Elroy Hirsch: 387 catches. 7,029 yards. 60 touchdowns.
James Lofton: 764 catches. 14,004 yards. 75 touchdowns.
Tom McDonald: 495 catches. 8,410 yards. 84 touchdowns.
Charlie Joiner: 750 catches. 12,146 yards. 65 touchdowns.
Ray Berry: 631 catches. 9,275 yards. 68 touchdowns.
John Stallworth: 537 catches. 8,723 yards. 63 touchdowns.
Charley Taylor: 649 catches. 9,110 yards. 79 touchdowns.
Michael Irvin: 750 catches. 11,904 yards. 65 touchdowns.
Fred Biletnikoff: 589 catches. 8,974 yards. 76 touchdowns.
Steve Largent: 819 catches. 13,089 yards. 100 touchdowns.
Don Maynard: 633 catches. 11,834 yards. 88 touchdowns.
Paul Warfield: 427 catches. 8,565 yards. 85 touchdowns.
Art Monk: 940 catches. 12,721 yards. 68 touchdowns.
Tom Fears: 400 catches. 5,397 yards. 38 touchdowns.
Lynn Swann: 336 catches. 5,462 yards. 51 touchdowns.
Dante Lavelli: 386 catches. 6,488 yards. 62 touchdowns.
Bob Hayes: 371 catches. 7,414 yards. 71 touchdowns.
It's not that maybe a few Hall of Fame wide receivers do not measure up to Carter, but the fact is that maybe NONE of them do. Certainly the majority do not come close, and only when reviewing the numbers, does the lunacy shine through.
In closing, understand that Lynn Swann and John Stallworth were great wide receivers, and among the greats of the game. But, when you COMBINE their lifetime statistics, they still cannot exceed Cris Carter's career numbers. Enough said.
Hall of Fame voters: Do the right thing tomorrow. Put Cris Carter in the Hall of Fame.