There aren’t many sports where a player can finish his or her career in the top two of a major statistical category and have a tough time being elected into the Hall of Fame. That’s exactly what has happened to Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams great Isaac Bruce.
In his third year of eligibility, Bruce has finally been named as one of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bruce’s impressive career resume should make him a shoe-in to be fitted for a gold jacket. Unfortunately for Bruce, hall of fame voters hate wide receivers are unsure what to do with wide receivers.
Bruce finds himself up against some stiff competition to land one of the five available inductee spots. However, the man who was lovingly referred to as “Reverend Ike” has a prayer that he could slide into the top five the same way he slid behind defensive backs and linebackers throughout his stellar 16-year career.
Other finalists include Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Brian Dawkins, Brian Urlacher, John Lynch, Alan Faneca and others.
When Bruce retired from the NFL following the 2009 season, he ranked second all-time in receiving yards with 15,208, fifth in catches with 1,024 and eighth in touchdowns with 91. Even now, nearly eight years after his retirement, Bruce still sits in the top five in receptions. The Rams great has been passed by Owens (15,934), Larry Fitzgerald (15,545) and Moss (15,292).
Being on the same ticket with Moss and Owens provides Bruce with both challenge and opportunity. First of all, let me state that both Owens and Moss unequivocally deserve to have their busts on display in Canton. Going by the numbers, both amassed more career yards, receptions and touchdowns than Bruce. Both also trumped Bruce when it came to showmanship and national presence.
It was that same showmanship and perceived volatility that could help cancel out the potential selections for the two receivers. If we’ve learned nothing from the NFL over the past two seasons, it’s that many NFL owners and fans will not hesitate to attempt to put outspoken black players back in their proverbial place.
The demographics for NFL owners, fans and Hall of Fame voters are similar: mostly white men. That doesn’t mean that black athletes can’t get a fair shake. Clearly, the Hall of Fame is littered with spectacular African American players. However, when it comes to the political component of voting for players, please believe that those demographics play a role.
Owens’ “attitude” has been described as the main reason that has not yet been inducted into the Hall of Fame. One would imagine that Moss, who was also labeled as a “malcontent” during his career, would receive the same treatment.
Bruce first became eligible in 2014. Owens’ first year of eligibility was 2016. This year is Moss’ first year on the ballot.
The last time a receiver entered the Hall on the first try was in 2010 when the GOAT Jerry Rice received the call. Typically, players must play the waiting game, especially receivers. Nevermind how silly the waiting game is for receivers, it’s reality.
Though Bruce doesn’t have the same gaudy touchdown numbers as Moss (156) and Owens (153), he also doesn’t have the same attitude-related baggage. Though he was a fierce competitor on the field, Bruce was never considered a distraction. He was never called a cancer. All he did was make plays, and boy did he make a lot of them.
Whether it was the 1,781 yards receiving he amassed in 1995 or the 73-yard TD scamper he made in Super Bowl XXXIV, Bruce cemented himself as one of the best and most-consistent receivers in the game.
When discussing whether his resume is HOF-worthy, Bruce doesn’t shy away from his credentials.
“I don’t know what the criteria is or if it’s just based solely on numbers, or if other aspects of the game…,” Bruce told Lakisha Jackson of NFL.com. “But when you look from a numbers standpoint, when I retired, I was the second person ever to hit 15,000 yards receiving. If you remove the top guy, I’m the No. 1 wide receiver in the history of the league as far as receiving is concerned.
Bruce was blessed to be able to catch passes from 2017 Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Warner during what was essentially a three-and-a-half year run from 1999-2002. However, he also excelled with guys like Marc Bulger, Tony Banks, Chris Miller and Chris Chandler serving as signal callers.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Isaac Bruce belongs in the Hall of Fame. The question is, whether he’ll be voted in this year, or be forced to wait a few more years like Chris Carter,who was voted in on his sixth year of eligibility.
Though I have essentially washed my hands of all things NFL after the Rams skipped town and the owners blackballed Colin Kaepernick, I’m still rooting for Bruce to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Warner, Marshall Faulk and Orlando Pace have already made their way to Canton. Now it’s time for Bruce to join his teammates.
“If it’s stats, longevity, performing in the biggest of games, I think I check every box,” Bruce stated.
Indeed you do, Ike. Good luck.
Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch on Twitter @IshmaelSistrunk
