SUMMARY
- Some of the NFL players have had outstanding performances during their careers.
- However, they are not inducted into the Hall of Famer class.
The NFL has produced some genius players throughout the years. Despite significantly contributing to the game, some players remain the most underrated. Their talent and caliber never get the light they deserve, but they are still ruling the hearts of the fans.
In this context, let’s take a look at the players who are not in the NFL Hall of Fame despite having had outstanding performances.
1. Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson is a former star for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans. Johnson spent the majority of his playing career with the Texans. The wide receiver’s notable achievements in his career include seven Pro Bowl appearances, two First-team All-Pro, two NFL receptions leaders, two NFL receiving yards leaders, and much more.
Regarding stats, the wide receiver managed 1,062 receptions, covering 14,185 receiving yards and 70 receiving touchdowns. While in the postseason, Johnson made four appearances, contributed 25 receiving yards, and covered 358 yards and one touchdown.
2. Torry Holt
The retired American professional football star Torry Holt is a former Super Bowl champion with the St. Louis Rams. Besides the Rams, the former wide receiver played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots.
Holt made seven Pro Bowl appearances in his career, became the NFL receiving yards leader twice, and was the NFL receptions leader once. The wideout recorded 920 receptions, 13,382 receiving yards, and 74 receiving touchdowns.
3. Ken Anderson
Another big name in football history who was unable to secure his place in the Hall of Fame was Ken Anderson. The late quarterback was a Cincinnati Bengals loyalist who spent most of his playing and coaching career with the franchise.
The quarterback never won the Super Bowl, but his talent is hard to ignore. Anderson became the most valuable NFL player, the most offensive player of the year, and the NFL comeback player of the year once. Despite this, the quarterback registered 4,475 passing attempts and completed 2,654 passes successfully.
4. Reggie Wayne
Louisiana-born NFL star Reggie Wayne is among the most neglected NFL figures. Wayne played for the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. The former wide receiver is currently serving as the Colts’ head coach.
Wayne is a former Colts Super Bowl champion. The wideout once became the NFL receiving yards leader and made six Pro Bowl appearances. The former Colts man won 1,070 receptions, gained 14,345 receiving yards, and scored 82 touchdowns.
5. Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney is one of the NFL’s underrated stars. He played for numerous high-profile franchises, including the Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seahawks, and Lions. Freeney is also the Super Bowl XLI champion.
The defensive end’s achievements include seven Pro Bowl appearances, being the NFL sack leader once and forced fumble co-leader in the NFL once, being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and more. Freeney has made 125.5 sacks, 47 forced fumbles, and 16 pass deflections.
6. Sterling Sharpe
The last player on the list of the top six players not in the NFL Hall of Fame is Sterling Sharpe—a famous name to football fans committed only to the Green Bay Packers. Despite having played in the league for just seven seasons, the wideout managed to secure his place in the Pro Bowl five times, three times as the NFL receptions leader, two times as the NFL receiving touchdowns leader, and more.
Sharpe played for the Packers from 1988 to 1994, appearing in 112 games. He received 595 passes for 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns. Despite being a member of the Packers Hall of Fame, the wide receiver was unable to secure a spot in the league’s Hall of Fame.
The above players’ performances make them icons of the game, but they lack the ability to be members of the NFL Hall of Fame.