Curtis Martin took the next step to making the Pro Football Hall of Fame today.
Former Jets running back Curtis Martin, the NFL's fourth-leading rusher of all time, was announced as one of 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2011.
There's no question that he belongs in, but I'll stand by my prediction the writers will rip him off and not put him in on the first ballot. The fact of the matter is what Curtis did wasn't flashy. He didn't do anything stunning on film. He didn't draw attention to himself by taking part in crazy end zone celebrations. He was a great teammate, not a bad one. He didn't get in trouble off the field.
These are things writers tend to subjectively associate with the Hall of Fame instead of being elite at one's position for a long time as Curtis was. I hope for the best, but I have seen too many deserving candidates denied entry.