Breaking it Down: 2011 HOF Finalists Revisited
Andy Lopusnak
Tuesday June 21, 2011
Your AFL Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of Prognosticators correctly called nine of the ten AFL Hall of Fame finalists. My gut called all ten but with the eligible players so vast, I pulled Gene Nudo off the big board to put a fellow Arizona great in Randy Gatewood as a finalist. Like NCIS' Leroy Jethro Gibbs, always trust the gut, right? Anyway, let's take a closer look at these ten Arena legends and my five picks of who gets inducted.
This class is fantastic and represents multiple Arena eras with great players, pioneers of the sport and an amazing coach. It's just a shame that the league is allowing just five of these small field giants into its holy of holies, especially when eight were inducted in 1998 and six earned entry in 2000. I feel all ten should be inducted now. They all are very deserving and shouldn't be punished for the league giving up on honoring its greats for nearly a decade.
That being said, my five are (in order of my vote): Barry Wagner, George LaFrance, Eddie Brown, Stevie Thomas and Hunkie Cooper. I feel that these five should be locks, but with fans getting a vote (I'm sure not heavily weighted) this could tip the scales for a Kurt Warner to slip in. Warner had a great three-year run in the AFL and what he did after leaving the indoor game for the NFL showcased that the AFL was a legitimate sport. However, Warner was eligible for induction in the 2000 and 2002 class (for some reason, the league forgot to induct anyone in 2001). By 2002, Warner was already a two-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl MVP. During this timeframe, the AFL inducted three players that either last played in Warner's final AFL season of 2007 or the following year (Ben Bennett, Joe March and Freddie Gayles). I'm a big Warner fan and think he's a first-ballot inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he shouldn't get into the AFL's Hall this year with players that deserve it so much more than him.
If somehow Warner (or someone else) slips in this season, it pushes out either Thomas or Cooper (because Wagner, LaFrance and Brown are beyond locks). In that case, for me I'm taking Stevie Thomas over Hunkie Cooper. And here's why...
Stevie Thomas was like Joe Montana. He had great overall numbers for his era (as did Cooper), but Thomas was known for game-defining plays and winning in big games (he and LaFrance are the only five-time ArenaBowl winners in league history). Thomas was like no other for this league. He was the Game MVP for four of the 20 Greatest Games in AFL history (#1, #2, #6 and #16; also was Ironman for game #7 - note: #16 was Thomas's first AFL game played). He was also responsible for the greatest single play in the game's history (I was there and it was unbelievable). Ask any Firebirds fan and they'll tell you how much they hated Thomas - he killed Albany/Indiana nearly every time he played them (most of time was in the final seconds of a game like the greatest play the propelled the Storm into ArenaBowl IX).
I love Hunkie Cooper, but when it came to the ArenaBowl, he was no Stevie Thomas. Cooper played in five ArenaBowls (two wins) and caught just 17 balls for 155 yards (1 TD), had a rushing TD, returned 12 total kicks for 237 yards (no TD) and had an interception return for a score (when he was Ironman of ArenaBowl XI). Thomas played in six title games (won five), was named ArenaBowl MVP twice, posted 28 catches for 446 yards (ten TDs), had three games with over 100 yards receiving (ArenaBowl record) and had an interception return for a TD. He scored at least one TD in five ArenaBowls. Thomas should have been the Ironman of ArenaBowl X, but the Iowa media chose Leonard Conley instead who had 3.5 tackles, ten catches for 91 yards and no scores (Thomas had seven catches for 103 yards with two touchdowns, plus an interception return for a touchdown). I pointed out earlier this season how inept the Ironman voting is in Iowa when a quarterback was named Ironman of the Game without playing a down on defense or special teams.
In ArenaBowl history, Thomas still has the most career 100-yard receiving games, is tied for the most career receiving touchdowns, is second for receiving yards, total points scored and total touchdowns. Yes, Cooper was a two-time Ironman of the Year and ranked #5 compared to Thomas at #9 on the 20 Greatest list, but when you needed the big play in the biggest game, Stevie Thomas was there every time and five rings prove that.
The moral of my rant is that the league needs to increase the induction number to at least six. If Thomas or Cooper is left out this season, it's a travesty!
Assuming, my fantastic five get in; this leaves out Darren Arbet, Sylvester Bembery, Sam Hernandez, Gene Nudo and Kurt Warner. Now if the league continues with just five getting in for the 2012 class and all five get back on the ballot (as they should), obviously five new spots open up.
Next year, the field of eligible players expands to include quarterbacks Sherdrick Bonner and Clint Dolezel; lineman James Baron and Kyle Moore-Brown as well as receiver Chris Jackson and defensive back Clevan Thomas. Plus, there's a surplus of other eligible players from this season, including Gatewood, Greg Hopkins, Cory Fleming, Bob McMillen and Andre Bowden to name just a few. Picking just five from that list is going to be a hard (I already have my ten ready, but you'll have to wait until next year to hear them).
The 2011 class is special and unquestionably the best ever (assuming of course that Wagner, LaFrance, Brown, Thomas and Cooper are inducted), but 2012 is still going to be a pretty damn good one too (as will 2013 and 2014). But these five are beyond obvious for induction this season.
QUOTES FROM THE FINALISTS
I reached out to the finalists for reaction to be among this terrific ten. Thus far, I've here's what I've got. When I get more, I will post in my normal Breaking it Down article.
Brown: "I'm humbled and honored to be a finalist with such a great group of men. This means I showed great respect for the Arena game and always gave 100% every play of everyday."
LaFrance: "I'd like to thank the voters for selecting me as a finalist. I loved playing the game and getting the chance to speak in the community with the youth and spending time with the fans. All the records I had and have were because of my teammates like Steve (Thomas) and Bem (Sylvester Bembery) and coaches (like HOFer Tim Marcum). And a special thanks to my lovely wife Darlene and our three wonderful daughters: Ahsaki, Nizhoni, and LaBelle."
Nudo: "It's an honor to be recognized for over 22 years of passion for the AFL. Obviously, this group of finalists and those that will be considered for their achievements in the future share in my love for the AFL. To even be considered is an enough of an honor for me."
Wagner: "I'd like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play the game. It's a great accomplishment to be categorized with a group of individuals who have achieved so much."
Detailed 2011 AFL Hall of Fame Finalist Bios
Darren Arbet, head coach: San Jose (1999-2008, 2011)
- Two-time AFL Coach of the Year
- Three-time ArenaBowl winner (second most in AFL history)
- Holds second best winning percentage in AFL history (minimum 40 games)
- Since 1999, has more regular season, postseason and ArenaBowl wins than any coach (despite not coaching in 2010)
- Has led San Jose to nine straight playoff appearances (longest active streak)
- His 2002 club was voted as the best team in AFL history by the 20th Anniversary Committee (2004 team was voted #9)
Sylvester Bembery, OL/DL: New England (1988), Albany (90-93), Tampa Bay (1994-99, 2001), Buffalo (2000)
- #7 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- 10th Anniversary Team member
- Was the AFL's all-time leader in sacks when he retired after 2001
- Played 13 seasons and won two ArenaBowls
- Six-time All-Arena selection
- Member of All-ArenaBowl Team
Eddie Brown, OS: Albany/Indiana (1994-2003)
- #1 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- Three-time AFL Offensive Player/MVP of the Year
- Was AFL leader in all receiving categories when he retired after 2003 season
- Still holds AFL record for most points scored in a game (54) and most TDs in a game (nine)
- Holds AFL playoff single-game record for receiving yards and ArenaBowl single-game record for receiving yards
- Seven seasons with 1,000+ yards receiving
- Ranks #3 all-time in AFL playoff history in most receiving categories
- ArenaBowl XIII MVP
Hunkie Cooper, OS/KR, WR/LB: Arizona (1993-2005)
- #5 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- Two-time AFL Ironman of the Year
- One-time AFL MVP
- ArenaBowl XI Ironman
- AFL all-time leader in combined kickoff return yards and MFG returns for touchdowns.
- When he retired after the 2005 season, Cooper was the league's all-time leader in nearly all return categories
- Holds career AFL playoff records in: kickoff return yards and all-purpose yards
Sam Hernandez, OL/DL: Charlotte (1992), Las Vegas/Anaheim (1994-97), San Jose (1998-2005)
- #13 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- 2000 AFL Lineman of the Year
- Five-time All-Arena selection
- Still ranks as the AFL's all-time leader in sacks and ranks third in forced fumbles (most by a lineman)
George LaFrance, OS/KR: Detroit (1988-89, 91-93), Tampa Bay (94-99), New Jersey (2000)
- #3 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- 10th Anniversary Team member
- Five-time ArenaBowl winner
- Only three-time ArenaBowl MVP
- Two-time AFL MVP
- Member of All-ArenaBowl Team
- First player to reach 20,000 all-purpose yards
- Was the league's all-time leader in nearly all receiving and return categories when he retired after 2000
- Still ranks as the league's all-time leader in combined kick returns, MFG returns (by almost double). Also the all-time playoff MFG return yardage leader
- Is #2 all-time in AFL playoff career records for: games played, points scored, touchdowns scored, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, kickoff return yards and all-purpose yards
- Holds ArenaBowl career records for: games played, games won (tied with Stevie Thomas), points scored, total touchdowns, receiving touchdowns (tied with Thomas), kickoff returns (by almost triple), kickoff return yards (by almost triple, kickoff return touchdowns, MFG returns, MFG return yards, all-purpose yards.
- His 1998 season was the league's greatest in terms of touchdown percentage. He caught a TD 53.8% of the time (next player is at 45.6%).
Gene Nudo: The league's only three-time AFL Executive of the Year. He led Arizona to five straight Commissioner's Awards given out to the league's best-run organization. Nudo has been involved with the league since before there was a league when he coached in the 1986 test game. He has served as an assistant coach, director of player personnel, vice president, general manager and head coach of teams and spent six years as the AFL's VP of Football Operations. Nudo was the 2002 Founder's Award recipient. Today, Nudo is the General Manger & President of the Chicago Rush.
Stevie Thomas, WR/LB: Tampa Bay (1991-99), Orlando (2000), New Jersey (2001)
- #9 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- Two-time ArenaBowl MVP
- Five-time ArenaBowl winner
- Member of All-ArenaBowl team
- When he retired after 2001, Thomas was the AFL's all-time leader in fumble recoveries and interceptions returned for TDs despite not playing defense in his first four AFL seasons.
- His career average of 14.9 yards per catch is the highest in league history among players with at least 325 catches.
- Holds ArenaBowl record for most career 100-yard receiving games (three) and is tied for the most receiving TDs. He is second in ArenaBowl history in points scored, total touchdowns and receiving yards.
- Tied for the most career interception returns for touchdown in AFL playoff history.
- Game MVP for four of the "20 Greatest Games Played In AFL History," including the top two games (Ironman of a Game for a fifth game on the list).
- The greatest play in AFL history involved Thomas returning a loose ball on a kickoff with just seconds left for a touchdown to propel Tampa Bay into ArenaBowl IX.
Barry Wagner, WR/DB: Orlando (1992-99, 2007), San Jose (2000-06)
- #2 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- 10th Anniversary Team member
- Six-time AFL Ironman of the Year
- Two-time AFL Offensive Player/MVP of the Year
- Member of All-ArenaBowl Team
- Four-time ArenaBowl Ironman
- Three-time ArenaBowl winner
- AFL all-time leader in: points scored, seasons with 100+ points, career touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, forced fumbles, two-point conversions and all-purpose yardage
- Holds AFL playoff career records for: games played, points scored, touchdowns scored, two-point conversions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, MFG return touchdowns, interceptions and tackles
- Holds ArenaBowl records for: receptions, rushing touchdowns and interceptions
Kurt Warner, QB: Iowa (1995-96); AFL Ambassador 1999-present
- #12 on 20 Greatest AFL Players list
- 15th Anniversary Team member
- First Team All-Arena in two of his three seasons and led the Barnstormers to the ArenaBowl in his final two years
- Only former AFL player to receive the AFL's Founder's Award
- After the AFL, Warner became one of the best QBs in the NFL and should be a first-ballot inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- He was a two-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl MVP. Warner is still the only player in NFL history to toss 40 TDs and win a Super Bowl in the same season. He holds the top three Super Bowl marks for passing yardage.
- Looking at Warner’s ArenaBowl and Super Bowl appearances, he holds the record for career 300-yard games in both title games (two in the ArenaBowl; three in the Super Bowl). Warner was the first AFL player to pass for 300 yards in an ArenaBowl (316 in 1996) and his 325 a year later was the record until 1999 – it stands as the fourth most today.
- Including Warner's three Super Bowl appearances, he passed for over 300 yards in all five professional football championship games he played. He still holds the ArenaBowl records for most completions (31) and pass attempts (51); both were set in ArenaBowl XI against Arizona (1997).
Special thanks to long-time Tampa Bay Storm photographer Chris Arnold who snapped the cover photo of this article in 1999 featuring Hall of Fame finalists Stevie Thomas and Eddie Brown.
Andy Lopusnak is an 11-year AFL front office veteran, spending time with the Tampa Bay Storm, San Diego Riptide and Grand Rapids Rampage. He works as a statistician for NFL and college sports for CBS Sports and is a freelance photographer. Lopusnak received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of South Florida and has been a fan of ArenaBall since its inception.
