Three explanations for Willie Anderson’s exclusion from the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class…
One of the best tackles of his period was Willie Anderson, a former right tackle with the Cincinnati Bengals. But since the 2024 class was just revealed and Anderson did not make the cut, he will have to wait another year to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Anderson was among 15 contenders from the modern era.
Anderson played 13 seasons, starting 184 games, 12 with the Bengals and his final with the Ravens. Although he had a major role in the offense’s success during that time, the national media didn’t really start to acknowledge his achievements until 2003. After being named to the AP Second-Team All-Pro in 2003, he spent the next three years as an AP First-Team tackle.
When Pro Football Focus debuted near the end of Anderson’s career, analytics gained significant traction in the media. PFF has been a big Anderson admirer since he first appeared on the scene in or around 2007. They were able to gauge Anderson’s extraordinary level of performance at work.
Anderson aimed to join Anthony Munoz and the late Ken Riley as the only other Cincinnati players to make it to Canton. Riley did not receive recognition until last year, despite having 65 career interceptions (tied for fifth all-time), while Munoz was the first to be inducted in 1998.
The difference there indicates that Bengals players are not very important to the Hall of Fame voters. By establishing a Ring of Honor in their stadium, the Bengals have made an effort to assist in changing this in recent seasons.
Sadly, let’s hope that Anderson receives his just desserts next year.
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