Dear Drew Pearson......the True #88

[FirefightnRick]

Thank you for all the years and all the hard work you put into playing the game of football. Thank you for all the years of class and sportsmanship you conveyed while helping make the Dallas Cowboys a household name as "America's Team". You will always be the True #88 to Texas and to Cowboy fans across the country, unlike that other guy who also wore YOUR number. You know, the guy who more than likely blew more money up his nose or on other unspeakables than you probably were ever paid your entire carreer. The fact that today he was announced as an inductee into the NFL football Hall of Fame before you sickens me and is an example as to where professional sports has turned to today. Know that when I take my kiddo's to Canton someday it will be to visit those who I respect for their efforts on as well as off the field. Someday you will also be there and I look forward to it.

Thank you again,

Rick McKinney

[Green Mean]

Thank you for all the years and all the hard work you put into playing the game of football. Thank you for all the years of class and sportsmanship you conveyed while helping make the Dallas Cowboys a household name as "America's Team". You will always be the True #88 to Texas and to Cowboy fans across the country, unlike that other guy who also wore YOUR number. You know, the guy who more than likely blew more money up his nose or on other unspeakables than you probably were ever paid your entire carreer. The fact that today he was announced as an inductee into the NFL football Hall of Fame before you sickens me and is an example as to where professional sports has turned to today. Know that when I take my kiddo's to Canton someday it will be to visit those who I respect for their efforts on as well as off the field. Someday you will also be there and I look forward to it.

Thank you again,

Rick McKinney

There is no doubt Pearson deserves to be in the hall of fame as he was dominant in his position for his time. However I truly believe Irvin deserves to be in it too. He was apart of 3 super bowls in 4 years was really the only go to reciever during his time with the cowboys. Sure we had a few other decent ones but Irvin was the man and he took pride in what he did and he was very outspoken. The hall of fame is or atleast should only supposed to be what you did on the field. As to them both being #88 yeah I do admit it does seem a little wheels off considering Irvin never should have gotten 88. What Irvin did off the field I dont like it but you cant take away what he did on the field and that he was a true team player and he was a HUGE part in those 3 super bowl teams. Before Drew Pearson gets inducted to the HOF then I think the Cowboys need to pay homage to him and induct him in the ring of honor. How do you expect him getting in the Hall if his own team has almost forgotten him? I know its sorry but what else can you do? In addition to Pearson I think its a shame that Art Monk isnt in yet either.

[UNT_playmaker]

I agree that Drew Pearson should have been a Hall of Fame inductee many many years ago, and a new lobby should be started to recognize his accolades to pursue him HOF of status.

BUT......Michael Irvin more than deserves his induction, he worked his butt off for the Cowboys for 12 seasons, 3 Super Wins, he was also the best team leader on and off the field by pumping up his teammates and giving speeches before and after the game.

Michael Irvin more than any other player continues his friendship with his teammates to this day, he continues to visit his old buddy Leon Lett at his N. Dallas home every other week. I think that is so way cool.

Some mistakes, yeah.... The best period.

FYI: My username was created after Michael Irvin's real name "The Playmaker"

[LongJim]

I agree that Irvin deserves induction, and I'd also like to see Drew in there.

By way of comparison:

*****************************************8

DREW PEARSON REGULAR SEASON STATS:

| Rushing | Receiving |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| 1973 dal | 14 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 22 388 17.6 2 |

| 1974 dal | 14 | 3 6 2.0 0 | 62 1087 17.5 2 |

| 1975 dal | 14 | 1 11 11.0 0 | 46 822 17.9 8 |

| 1976 dal | 14 | 2 20 10.0 0 | 58 806 13.9 6 |

| 1977 dal | 14 | 2 22 11.0 0 | 48 870 18.1 2 |

| 1978 dal | 16 | 3 29 9.7 0 | 44 714 16.2 3 |

| 1979 dal | 15 | 3 27 9.0 0 | 55 1026 18.7 8 |

| 1980 dal | 16 | 2 30 15.0 0 | 43 568 13.2 6 |

| 1981 dal | 16 | 3 31 10.3 0 | 38 614 16.2 3 |

| 1982 dal | 9 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 26 382 14.7 3 |

| 1983 dal | 14 | 2 13 6.5 0 | 47 545 11.6 5 |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| TOTAL | 156 | 21 189 9.0 0 | 489 7822 16.0 48 |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

POST SEASON STATS:

Year Opp Result | RSH YD TD | REC YD TD

---------------------+-----------------+-----------------

1973 ram W,27-16 | 0 0 0 | 2 87 2

1973 min L,10-27 | 0 0 0 | 2 24 0

1975 min W,17-14 | 0 0 0 | 4 91 1

1975 ram W,37-7 | 0 0 0 | 5 46 0

*1975 pit L,17-21 | 0 0 0 | 2 59 1

1976 ram L,12-14 | 1 4 0 | 3 38 0

1977 chi W,37-7 | 0 0 0 | 2 38 0

1977 min W,23-6 | 0 0 0 | 4 62 0

*1977 den W,27-10 | 0 0 0 | 1 13 0

1978 atl W,27-20 | 0 0 0 | 4 75 0

1978 ram W,28-0 | 0 0 0 | 2 19 0

*1978 pit L,31-35 | 0 0 0 | 4 73 0

1979 ram L,19-21 | 0 0 0 | 4 87 0

1980 ram W,34-13 | 0 0 0 | 4 60 1

1980 atl W,30-27 | 1 9 0 | 5 90 2

1980 phi L,7-20 | 0 0 0 | 2 15 0

1981 tam W,38-0 | 0 0 0 | 2 21 0

1981 sfo L,27-28 | 0 0 0 | 1 31 0

1982 tam W,30-17 | 1 4 0 | 7 95 0

1982 gnb W,37-26 | 0 0 0 | 1 3 0

1982 was L,17-31 | 1 -1 0 | 5 55 1

1983 ram L,17-24 | 0 0 0 | 2 49 0

---------------------+-----------------+-----------------

TOTAL | 4 16 0 | 68 1131 8

* - Super Bowl

*************************************************************

MICHAEL IRVIN REGULAR SEASON STATS:

+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| Rushing | Receiving |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| 1988 dal | 14 | 1 2 2.0 0 | 32 654 20.4 5 |

| 1989 dal | 6 | 1 6 6.0 0 | 26 378 14.5 2 |

| 1990 dal | 12 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 20 413 20.6 5 |

| 1991 dal | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 93 1523 16.4 8 |

| 1992 dal | 16 | 1 -9 -9.0 0 | 78 1396 17.9 7 |

| 1993 dal | 16 | 2 6 3.0 0 | 88 1330 15.1 7 |

| 1994 dal | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 79 1241 15.7 6 |

| 1995 dal | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 111 1603 14.4 10 |

| 1996 dal | 11 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 64 962 15.0 2 |

| 1997 dal | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 75 1180 15.7 9 |

| 1998 dal | 16 | 1 1 1.0 0 | 74 1057 14.3 1 |

| 1999 dal | 4 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 10 167 16.7 3 |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| TOTAL | 159 | 6 6 1.0 0 | 750 11904 15.9 65 |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

POST SEASON STATS:

Year Opp Result | RSH YD TD | REC YD TD

---------------------+-----------------+-----------------

1991 chi W,17-13 | 0 0 0 | 4 83 0

1991 det L,6-38 | 0 0 0 | 5 84 0

1992 phi W,34-10 | 0 0 0 | 6 88 0

1992 sfo W,30-20 | 0 0 0 | 6 86 0

*1992 buf W,52-17 | 0 0 0 | 6 114 2

1993 gnb W,27-17 | 0 0 0 | 9 126 1

1993 sfo W,38-21 | 0 0 0 | 2 23 0

*1993 buf W,30-13 | 0 0 0 | 5 66 0

1994 gnb W,35-9 | 0 0 0 | 6 111 0

1994 sfo L,28-38 | 0 0 0 | 12 192 2

1995 phi W,30-11 | 0 0 0 | 1 9 1

1995 gnb W,38-27 | 0 0 0 | 7 100 2

*1995 pit W,27-17 | 0 0 0 | 5 75 0

1996 min W,40-15 | 0 0 0 | 8 103 0

1996 car L,17-26 | 0 0 0 | 1 22 0

1998 ari L,7-20 | 0 0 0 | 4 32 0

---------------------+-----------------+-----------------

TOTAL | 0 0 0 | 87 1314 8

* - Super Bowl

Edited February 5, 2007 by LongJim

[UNT_92_Fan]

Based on the committee and the NFL guidelines for the induction into the hall of fame, Michael Irvin deserves to be in there. They (the league) say to vote for the on the field performance and he was clutch...

If the league said a vote for off the field activities it might be a different story...

[UNTLifer]

If the league said a vote for off the field activities it might be a different story...

I would say this is taken into consideration. Just look at Bob Hayes.

[UNT_92_Fan]

If it is taken into consideration....according to the voting stipulations put on by the commish then the voting was done wrong.

Baseball takes in account the off field situations, i.e. Mark McGwire

Football is all about performance and not personality...not saying i agree with it, just saying that the guy was talented on the field and based on that he deserves to be a HOF'er...

[good_ken]

Thank you for all the years and all the hard work you put into playing the game of football. Thank you for all the years of class and sportsmanship you conveyed while helping make the Dallas Cowboys a household name as "America's Team". You will always be the True #88 to Texas and to Cowboy fans across the country, unlike that other guy who also wore YOUR number. You know, the guy who more than likely blew more money up his nose or on other unspeakables than you probably were ever paid your entire carreer. The fact that today he was announced as an inductee into the NFL football Hall of Fame before you sickens me and is an example as to where professional sports has turned to today. Know that when I take my kiddo's to Canton someday it will be to visit those who I respect for their efforts on as well as off the field. Someday you will also be there and I look forward to it.

Thank you again,

Rick McKinney

If you take your kids to the MLB HOF, will you skip the Ty Cobb exhibit becuase he was a racist a-hole? Will you skip the Babe Ruth exhibit because he was a drunk and a womanizer?

My point is not that you are wrong in your stance, but that there are quite a few athletes who weren't model citizens. If we left out all the athletes who broke the law, the baseball HOF would just be Cal Ripken...and Canton wouldn't be too fuller.

[Guest JohnDenver]

I dunno ...

Pearson's stats don't look that impressive.

2 1,000+ seasons.

3 800 < 1000 seasons

6 <800 seaons.

I know he is/was a fan favorite, but does that really dominate the league? There are a lot of WRs with those numbers...

Andre Rison doesn't belong in the HOF (for instance), yet has better numbers. Or does Rison belong in the HOF?

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| 1989 ind | 16 | 3 18 6.0 0 | 52 820 15.8 4 |

| 1990 atl | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 82 1208 14.7 10 |

| 1991 atl | 16 | 1 -9 -9.0 0 | 81 976 12.0 12 |

| 1992 atl | 15 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 93 1119 12.0 11 |

| 1993 atl | 16 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 86 1242 14.4 15 |

| 1994 atl | 15 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 81 1088 13.4 8 |

| 1995 cle | 16 | 2 0 0.0 0 | 47 701 14.9 3 |

| 1996 gnb | 5 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 13 135 10.4 1 |

| 1996 jax | 10 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 34 458 13.5 2 |

| 1997 kan | 16 | 1 2 2.0 0 | 72 1092 15.2 7 |

| 1998 kan | 14 | 2 12 6.0 0 | 40 542 13.6 5 |

| 1999 kan | 15 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 21 218 10.4 0 |

| 2000 oak | 14 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 41 606 14.8 6 |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

| TOTAL | 184 | 9 23 2.6 0 | 743 10205 13.7 84 |

+----------+-----+--------------------------+-------------------------+

*note* I wasn't around when this dude was playing.

[FirefightnRick]

If you take your kids to the MLB HOF, will you skip the Ty Cobb exhibit becuase he was a racist a-hole? Will you skip the Babe Ruth exhibit because he was a drunk and a womanizer?

My point is not that you are wrong in your stance, but that there are quite a few athletes who weren't model citizens. If we left out all the athletes who broke the law, the baseball HOF would just be Cal Ripken...and Canton wouldn't be too fuller.

I wouldn't step foot into the baseball hall of fame, even though I don't recall seeing Ty Cobb AGAIN being listed in the papers and local news channels for embarrassing run-ins with the law(Was that 2 or 3 years ago with the traffic stop in Irving TX and the dope products in the car, causing ESPN to suspend Irvin from appearing on their shows until things were cleared up?). My parents weren't alive when Cobb played.

And I also agree with the fact that yes, it is also a shame that Pearson has not been placed into the Ring Of Honor by now. I know Jerry Jones has to answer this question nearly every year when it's brought up by the press and the fans. It seems like Newy has brought it up himself on his show at least twice now. It just isn't right. And neither is voting Irvin in to the HOF so early either. I think his on field accomplishments earns him the HOF some day. But not now. Why not make him wait like they have done so many others?

Rick