No HOF for Earl in 2025

[River Dog]

Earl Thomas was among 25 semifinalists for the HOF, but he didn't make the cut. Here's who did:

CB Eric Allen
DE Jared Allen
T Willie Anderson
G Jahri Evans
TE Antonio Gates
WR Torry Holt
LB Luke Kuechly
QB Eli Manning
WR Steve Smith Sr.
LB/DE Terrell Suggs
RB Fred Taylor
PK Adam Vinatieri
WR Reggie Wayne
S Darren Woodson
G/T Marshal Yanda

Here's Earl's resume: 3x All Pro, 7x Pro Bowls, 2010's All Decade team, 1 SB Championship. Compare that with fellow safety Darren Woodsen: 3x All Pro, 5x Pro Bowls, 3 SB Championships.

The biggest difference is obviously the 3 SB Championships vs. Earl's one, but Earl has a couple more Pro Bowls and an All-Decade team...and Woodson was a Cowboy, Earl a Seahawk. I also wonder of Earl's off field problems have hurt his chances or if there were a voter or two who didn't like how he disrespected the man who drafted him by flipping him the bird for all to see.

I'm pretty indifferent when it comes to who makes the HOF or not. I'm all about the team and less about individual players except as it relates to the team. But I do think that one or two members making the HOF off what was one of the best defenses of the current century would legitimize it. Too bad we didn't win that 2nd Super Bowl.

[Aseahawkfan]

I think his off the field issues and how he ended his career must have messed him up. Earl's ego got out of control. Great player though. He should make it in at some point. Hard not to include someone of the Legion of Boom, one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

[River Dog]

I think his off the field issues and how he ended his career must have messed him up. Earl's ego got out of control. Great player though. He should make it in at some point. Hard not to include someone of the Legion of Boom, one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

I definitely have mixed emotions. I want to see Earl make it as both of us have noted the significance of a LOB member, particularly one of the secondary players, make it to the HOF. I'm sure Bobby will make it, probably on the first ballot, but Kam's resume is a little skimpy as is Sherman's.

But on the other hand, I don't feel a damn bit sorry for Earl personally. He lost me when he flipped off Pete on national TV. Besides, there's worse snubs in professional sports HOF's than him.

[NorthHawk]

If he played on the East Coast he would be in without question. There's still a big bias towards those teams no matter how successful teams outside the Eastern Time Zone do.

[River Dog]

If he played on the East Coast he would be in without question. There's still a big bias towards those teams no matter how successful teams outside the Eastern Time Zone do.

I'm not sure if there's a regional bias on the selection committee as much as there is one towards certain teams, specifically the Cowboys.

But I'm not willing to blame Earl's snub on either. IMO it's what we discussed earlier in the thread, that it has more to do with his off-field issues than anything else. I don't think they want that kind of negative attention.

[4XPIPS]

I think his off the field issues and how he ended his career must have messed him up. Earl's ego got out of control. Great player though. He should make it in at some point. Hard not to include someone of the Legion of Boom, one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

I agree, I remember when he was late to team meeting because he was getting his car washed. Talk about thinking your above the team.