2016 Contributor Candidate

[Ken Crippen]

It looks like Ed DeBartolo, Jr. is the contributor candidate for 2016.

[Bryan]

Disappointing.

[oldecapecod11]

Disgusting!
They have sunk to an all-time low.

[bachslunch]

Geez, what a disappointment. DeBartolo, Stabler, and Stanfel -- I guess it could be worse (a trio of Marshall Goldberg, Jim Plunkett, and C. O. Brocato comes to mind) -- but this is pretty bad.

[Gary Najman]

It appears that Nancy Gay's speech that was briefly shown two years ago had an influence on the selection. It's sad when it appears that the voters don't have their own choices at the Seniors or Contributors, and are influenced by others.

[bachslunch]

It appears that Nancy Gay's speech that was briefly shown two years ago had an influence on the selection. It's sad when it appears that the voters don't have their own choices at the Seniors or Contributors, and are influenced by others.

Nancy Gay was reportedly also responsible for making the case to get Fred Dean in. Clearly she's persuasive, but don't the other voters have skills to evaluate presented cases?

[bachslunch]

Found a video explaining this choice at the HoF website from a selector:

http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinem ... -finalist/

Couple thoughts:

-DeBartolo having been "in the room" before was a factor.

-heard the idea expressed that he set a model for running winning NFL franchises or something to that effect. Well I guess being caught circumventing the salary cap and later having to give up ownership of your team because of corruption-related issues is some kind of model for some kinds of businesses, but....

[bachslunch]

Question: did DeBartolo do anything noteworthy other than own the "Niners? Committee work? Other contributions to the game?

[BD Sullivan]

Found a video explaining this choice at the HoF website from a selector:

http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinem ... -finalist/

Couple thoughts:

-DeBartolo having been "in the room" before was a factor.

-heard the idea expressed that he set a model for running winning NFL franchises or something to that effect. Well I guess being caught circumventing the salary cap and later having to give up ownership of your team because of corruption-related issues is some kind of model for some kinds of businesses, but....

Had he not hired Bill Walsh, his name wouldn't even be an afterthought.

Not sure if it will play any kind of role, but the vote will be conducted in the Bay Area, with the SB in Santa Clara.

[JuggernautJ]

Didn't de Bartolo apply for reinstatement a few years ago (and was denied)?

How can he be great enough for the Hall of Fame but not good enough to own a team???