Chiefs legendary wide receiver Otis Taylor
In a story by Kansas City Star writer, Randy Covitz, that appeared online Tuesday, he reports that the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors Committee have passed over former Chiefs greats Otis Taylor, Johnny Robinson, and Ed Budde for inclusion as finalists for the Class of 2010.
Robinson, who played both halfback and safety during his career with the Dallas Texans and the Chiefs, and guard Ed Budde, are members of the all-time All-AFL Team and played in multiple All-Star games and Pro Bowls. Taylor was 20 years ahead of his time as the prototype big, strong and fast wide receiver. He was also the main target for Hall-of-Fame quarterback, Len Dawson, who has always maintained that Taylor is deserving of inclusion in the Hall.
The Seniors Committee nominated former Detroit Lions cornerback Dick LeBeau and former Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little for consideration in 2010.
LeBeau was a star for the Lions throughout the 1960’s, but is known around the NFL today as the creator of the Pittsburgh Steelers zone blitz defense and the defensive coordinator of their last two Super Bowl champions. LeBeau is almost a dead-bolt lock to be elected next year, especially after 2009 inductee, Rod Woodson, chastised Hall-of-Fame voters for not honoring LeBeau during his induction speech.
Little was an outstanding running back for some really awful Bronco teams but gained more than 12,000 all-purpose yards during his nine-year career.
It’s a shame that Robinson, Budde and Taylor have to wait another year for the chance to make the Hall, but Covitz was right when he wrote, “It’s understandable that another Chiefs player won’t be headed to Canton in 2010 because cornerback Emmitt Thomas was nominated by the Seniors Committee and inducted in 2008, and linebacker Derrick Thomas finally was enshrined in 2009. “
“But hopefully [they] receive their well-deserved honor one day while they can enjoy it.”
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