All-Pro Cajuns

[CajunAmos]

I thought it was funny that he was the second team All-Pro safety in 1995 but didn't make the pro bowl. I thought that the All Pro team was much harder to get selected to as it combines both conferences.

[MelRock]

Did you kneaux former Cajun Brian Mitchell is 2nd on the NFL's list of all-purpose yards with 23,330 yards behind only Jerry Rice's 24,546. Mitchell is only 216 behind Rice despite playing 80 games less than Rice. Mitchell holds or shares 22 NFL records. He also led the league in combined yards every season from 1994 through 1996, and again in 1998. He is one of only two players to lead the league in that statistical category at least four times. The other is Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who did it five times.

At Louisiana, Mitchell became the first player in NCAA history to pass for more than 5,000 yards (5,447) and rush for more than 3,000 yards (3,335). He also held the NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (47). As a senior, he rushed for 1,311 yards and passed for 1,966 yards while accounting for 25 touchdowns (six passing, 19 rushing). Yet, in his college career, he never returned a punt or a kickoff. In his NFL career he recovered 20 fumbles, scored 29 touchdowns (four kickoff returns, nine punt returns, 12 rushing, and four receiving) and threw for a touchdown pass.


Why isn't he in the Hall of Fame?

[Turbine]

When Mitchell retired he was #1

Ironically Brian passed up Jerry Rice in his final NFL season and Jerry had to play on to regain the title.

[Boomer]

Brian mentioned to me after I asked the same thing------- that there are people working on it!!!! Got to getter DONE !!!!

[cajunatc]

Brian mentioned to me after I asked the same thing------- that there are people working on it!!!! Got to getter DONE !!!!

I sent out a request to have him considered for the college football hall of fame...come to find out to qualify for the hall of MUST be named on a major all american team...talk about not fair to the smaller conference schools. 8-(

He was a college football legend (as well as an NFL legend), but considering his accomplishments, I can't think of a better person to be placed in the Hall.

[CajunAmos]

Hall of Fame requirements


Hall of Fame Eligibility, Screening & Procedure
Eligibility & Criteria

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate's post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.

Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school's geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee (formerly known as the Honors Review Committee) may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago and coaches who have not won at least 60 percent of their games.

Of the 4.72 million individuals who have played college football, only 866 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. From the coaching ranks, 186 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.


Procedure Guide

1. Nominations may be made by any dues-paying member of the National Football Foundation, or by athletic directors, coaches, or CoSIDA members representing dues-paying colleges or universities.
2. Statistics and records, personal recommendations by coaches, fellow players, and opponents are all considered.
3. The National Football Foundation staff will screen each candidate. After ascertaining that nominations satisfy the requirements, the nominees are submitted to the District Screening Committee (DSC) nearest to which the nominee played. New nominees as well as individuals who appeared on the previous year's ballot will be included in this process.
4. The top vote getters from the DSC are forwarded to The National Football Foundation staff for inclusion on the ballot. (The ballot also carries names of candidates held over from the previous year. These carryover names are decided upon by the Honors Court).
5. Any candidate not selected to the current year's Hall of Fame class will automatically go through the voting procedures again the following year. There is no need to nominate the candidate again.
6. The ballot selection is approved by the Awards Committee of The National Football Foundation.
7. The ballot of players and coaches is mailed to all dues-paying members for a member vote, of which results are provided to the Honors Court as part of the information for its meeting. The Honors Court selects the Class.


Criteria

1. FIRST AND FOREMOST, A PLAYER MUST HAVE RECEIVED MAJOR FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICA RECOGNITION.
2. A player becomes eligible for consideration by the Foundation's Honors Court 10 years after his last year of intercollegiate football played.
3. While each nominee's football achievements are of prime consideration, his post-football record as a citizen is also weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals of football forward into his relations with his community and his fellow man with love of his country. Consideration may also be given for academic honors and whether or not the candidate earned a college degree.
4. In accordance with the 50-year rule,* players must have played their last year of intercollegiate football within the last 50 years. For example, to be eligible for the 2005 ballot, the player must have played his last year in 1955 or thereafter. In addition, players who are playing professionally and coaches who are coaching on the professional level are not eligible until after they retire.
5. A coach becomes eligible three years after retirement or immediately following retirement provided he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at 75 years of age. He must have been a head coach for a minimum of 10 years and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage*.

*Those players that do not comply with the 50-year rule may still be eligible for consideration by the FBS and Divisional Honors Review Committees, which examine unique cases.

[Oiler]

Did you kneaux former Cajun Brian Mitchell is 2nd on the NFL's list of all-purpose yards with 23,330 yards behind only Jerry Rice's 24,546. Mitchell is only 216 behind Rice despite playing 80 games less than Rice. Mitchell holds or shares 22 NFL records. He also led the league in combined yards every season from 1994 through 1996, and again in 1998. He is one of only two players to lead the league in that statistical category at least four times. The other is Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who did it five times.

At Louisiana, Mitchell became the first player in NCAA history to pass for more than 5,000 yards (5,447) and rush for more than 3,000 yards (3,335). He also held the NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (47). As a senior, he rushed for 1,311 yards and passed for 1,966 yards while accounting for 25 touchdowns (six passing, 19 rushing). Yet, in his college career, he never returned a punt or a kickoff. In his NFL career he recovered 20 fumbles, scored 29 touchdowns (four kickoff returns, nine punt returns, 12 rushing, and four receiving) and threw for a touchdown pass.


Why isn't he in the Hall of Fame?

Is he being mentioned for consideration each year? I know that for many players, it takes a few years before they're voted in. Anybody that holds or shares 22 NFL records belongs in the NFL Hall of Fame for sure.

[MelRock]

Is he being mentioned for consideration each year? I know that for many players, it takes a few years before they're voted in. Anybody that holds or shares 22 NFL records belongs in the NFL Hall of Fame for sure.

He told me he is being told it will happen. Hopefully it will happen soon. I would love to see Brian go in to the HOF.