OPINION:
As we wait and see if Washington Redskins great Joe Jacoby takes his rightful place alongside Russ Grimm in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we are reminded once again of the diminishing tradition of this franchise.
If Jacoby gets in, the list of the Redskins with a chance for induction in Canton grows smaller. Brian Mitchell — second only to Jerry Rice in total career yards —would likely be the last candidate for a real shot at the Hall from the Super Bowl era teams.
You could make a case for Gary Clark, but it’s tough for receivers from the 1980s and 1990s to get in today, given the inflated pass-catching numbers and the growing list of receivers waiting to get in that are likely ahead of Clark.
After that, it’s the “senior candidate” selection possibilities — perhaps running back Larry Brown or safety Pat Fischer. After that, the route to the Hall likely gets paved over — and all Redskins fans may have to celebrate the players that gave them great memories is the team’s own Ring of Fame.
Sometimes the place where home team heroes are honored barely gets notice — the Washington Nationals Ring of Honor is fractured by the presence of Montreal Expos Hall of Famers like Gary Carter and Andre Dawson, great players who mean nothing to Washington sports fans.
The Redskins Ring of Fame, though, still seems to have credibility and meaning for its fans. But the years of losing will likely test both its credibility and meaning among the fan base.
AUDIO: Washington DC television producer Ernie Baur with Thom Loverro
The last Redskin inducted into the team’s place of honor was linebacker Monte Coleman in 2015 — certainly a player identified with the Super Bowl era of this organization and winning teams.
But what about the generation that has grown up since the last championship in 1991, the generation who has witnessed a 177-237-2 record with the accidental playoff appearance from the time to time?
How rewarding is it to celebrate the best of the losers?
Most of the Redskins in the team’s Ring of Fame have been connected to either the early Redskins days, when the team arrived here in 1937 and won two NFL championships and played in five title games with the great Sammy Baugh, or the George Allen era of one NFC championship and five playoff appearances, or the Joe Gibbs Super Bowl period. Most of the players in the team’s version of a Hall of Fame have played, for the most part, with winning teams.
But there was the period from 1946 through 1969 when the franchise was a perennial loser — and the fans who supported those losing teams. You have to represent them and their favorite players as Ring of Fame worthy, even when they part of some bad football teams. There were individual players who gave those fans memorable moments, even if they are shrouded in failure.
Running back Dick James played for the Redskins from 1956 to 1963 — not the best of times. He scored 30 touchdowns, including four in one game in 1961, rushed for 1,741 yards on 447 carries and caught 92 passes for 1,568 yards. He is a Ring of Fame member. The won-loss record while Dick James wore a Redskins uniform was 36-71-7.
Vince Promuto was a two-time Pro Bowl guard for the Redskins from 1960 to 1970. He carried in a won-loss record of 52-90-10 into the team’s Ring of Fame with him.
Soon the Redskins will be faced with celebrating the greats of another generation of losing.
Linebacker Ken Harvey is in the Ring of Fame. He played in Washington from 1994 to 1998, with a 32-37-1 record. But others will follow. You can’t go 25 years without saying somebody was worthwhile honoring. Well, you could, but that might be a little too honest for Redskins fans to live with.
Safety Sean Taylor, of course, is in the Ring of Fame under the special circumstances of his tragic death. But if he continued his brilliant career, he would have been there anyway and possibly in Canton as well.
Who are the rest of the best of the losers?
Tackle Chris Samuels was a six-time Pro Bowler during his career in Washington from 2000 to 2009. He is certainly worthy of Ring of Fame selection. His won-loss record would be 70-90.
Running back Clinton Portis is probably a lock for the Ring of Fame — 6,824 yards rushing in seven seasons with the Redskins. His won-loss record is 48-64.
Who is in uniform today that could be Ring of Fame candidates? Six-time Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williams for sure, right? As of now, he would be dragging a 52-75-1 record with him. Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Kerrigan may join Williams, with his 46-65-1 record to date.
Somebody has to represent the losing with honor.
• Thom Loverro hosts his weekly podcast “Cigars & Curveballs” Wednesdays available on iTunes, Google Play and the reVolver podcast network.
• Thom Loverro can be reached at tloverro@washingtontimes.com.
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