What does it take to get into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame nowadays?
Nobody actually is aware of. It took New York Giants nine-time Professional Bowl linebacker Harry Carson 18 years to get his gold jacket and Joe Klecko of the New York Jets — one of many NFL’s most dominant defensive linemen of the Nineteen Seventies and 80s — 35 lengthy years earlier than he acquired the decision to Canton.
So the place does that depart a participant resembling working again Ottis “O.J.” Anderson?
We made a case for induction into the Corridor on behalf of Anderson final yr right here on Giants Wire, but it surely didn’t appear to maneuver the needle very a lot with voters.
Anderson, who retired in 1992, is clearly pissed off, sufficient to publicly voice his disappointment relating to the omission. He just lately spoke to FOX5NY about his ordeal.
For these unfamiliar with O.J.’s profession, here’s a snippet from the article we posted final April:
Anderson primarily had two careers — one with the St. Louis Cardinals and one other with the Giants. Cumulatively, they add as much as a Corridor of Fame profession.
Chosen eighth total by the Cardinals out of Miami within the 1979 NFL draft, Anderson earned Offensive Rookie of the Yr and All-Professional honors later that season. He was chosen to the Professional Bowl the subsequent yr as properly.
In seven-plus seasons in St. Louis, Anderson rushed for 7,999 yards on 1,858 makes an attempt — each nonetheless Cardinals’ franchise data — for a 4.3 common. In 1986, he misplaced his beginning gig to Stump Mitchell and was traded to the Giants in October for 1987 second- and seventh-round choices.
Anderson performed six-plus seasons for the Giants, received two Tremendous Bowls, was named the NFL Comeback Participant of the Yr in 1989, and the MVP of Tremendous Bowl XXV.
Ottis is considered one of solely 4 working backs in NFL historical past to attain speeding touchdowns in two Tremendous Bowls and win a Tremendous Bowl MVP (Corridor of Famers Franco Harris, John Riggins, and Emmitt Smith are the others).
Anderson’s 10,273 speeding yards are thirtieth all-time and his 13,335 yards from scrimmage are forty fourth in NFL historical past. He’s nineteenth all-time in speeding touchdowns with 81. When he retired in 1992 Anderson ranked seventh in speeding touchdowns and eighth in speeding yards.
Anderson was inducted into the Giants’ Ring of Honor in 2022 however has but to be acknowledged by the Cardinals’ group.
It’s time for the voters to acknowledge that Anderson has earned the fitting to be within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
