Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Taylor goes on the offensive about Hall of Fame
By Luke Sims
No Jacksonville Jaguars player is enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but running back Fred Taylor certainly believes he belongs there.
Fred Taylor had a long, productive career for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is the team’s best at the position and was a legitimate threat any time he touched the ball.
In total, he amassed 11,695 rushing yards (17th all time, 15th at time of retirement) and led the NFL in yards per game for one season (107.6 yards per game in 2000). That, apparently, isn’t enough to get into the Hall of Fame.
While Tony Boselli, former Jaguars left tackle, has been given Hall of Fame consideration (most recently as a 2017 finalist), Taylor has not been in the conversation. Both of them should at least be in the conversation.
Finally, Taylor let loose on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FredTaylorMade/status/884799390363381760
Not just backs that have come and gone in NFL HISTORY...but better than majority of the backs in the HOF...
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) July 11, 2017
Don't tell me anything about eras. AFC had top defenses in my division alone (Ravens, Steelers, Titans) to name a few. That's twice a year
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) July 11, 2017
I was once asked a rhetorical question like "do you want to be nominated" ummm, I bust my ass for 13 years! Figure it out lol
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) July 11, 2017
There is no doubt that Taylor would have had far more attention had he been in a bigger market than Jacksonville. A game of “What if?” could lead many fans of Taylor to wonder if he is being snubbed simply for being in Jacksonville.
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This is a constant concern among fans of the Jaguars. The small-market team has not been getting the attention for its players that larger fan bases generate. While nobody in the Hall of Fame is mediocre, it can seem like those from teams with more fans do have an easier job making their case.
That is no fault of Taylor’s, who left it all on the field during his career. Few players at his position could do what he did in his 30s, including an impressive 80-yarder in 2007, his lone year as a Pro Bowler.
In terms of raw production, Taylor is tough to match and his peers are almost all Hall of Famers. Of those in the top-20 by career rushing yards, just Taylor and Edgerrin James, and Corey Dillon are the players who are eligible but have not been included.
From B&T to Freddy T, we support you. Hopefully the conversation turns in your favor in the near future. Meanwhile, taking the conversation to Twitter may help things or turn some away.