
Can either of these former Bolts make the hall this year?
On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled their 122 modern-era nominations for the Class of 2022. Of those 122 former players, six former Chargers made the list, including one who is in his first year of eligibility for the Hall.
Those players are as follows:
- FB Lorenzo Neal (2003-2007)
- DE Leslie O’Neal (1986-1995)
- LB Takeo Spikes (2011-2012)
- CB Antonio Cromartie (2006-2009)
- S Rodney Harrison (1994-2002)
- S Bob Sanders (2011)
Right off the bat, the first name my eyes are drawn to each year is O’Neal. They need to let this man in the Hall already! He is the all-time franchise leader in sacks at a position where that’s the best thing you can do for you team! He’s the best player that position for an entire franchise! Get him in there already.
He belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Truly, a great player. #LeslieONeal https://t.co/yfFG5CIrJ0
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) June 3, 2019
Secondly, Cromartie is in his first year of eligibility for the Hall and it’d be rather cool to see him get in but I don’t think that’ll happen this early. There are just so many talented and amazingly-impactful players up for the Hall of Fame and Cro’s lack of a Super Bowl will always hold him back to a degree, like it does for most players.
This Antonio Cromartie interception would have taken over Twitter if it came a decade later…
Happy birthday to a defensive highlight machine @CRO31!! @Chargers pic.twitter.com/EfAuGAzci7
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) April 15, 2019
Finally, I want Neal in the Hall so bad. He was the absolute epitome of the fullback position. He was a grown man who found so much pleasure in belittling and demolishing the other professional athletes in front of him. He played until he was almost 40 and led the way for LaDainian Tomlinson during his record-breaking 2006 season. I would like nothing more than to see this man enshrined in Canton.
Chargers 2006 combing Marty Ball with components of the single wing. Touchdown Lorenzo Neal #MakeFullbacksGreatAgain pic.twitter.com/RREShSar9p
— Old Football Film (@FilmHistoric) July 13, 2020