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Billy B...not 1st Ballot HoF. Will Ben also get screwed over?

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by NorthernBlitz, Jan 28, 2026.

  1. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    Has nothing to do with deserving or earning, what is needed is an act of contrition. After Goodell destroyed the tapes and said everything was closed he said Bill and Bob would admit they made a mistake and apologize. Belichick said he never agreed to that and still maintains that he did nothing wrong.

    Ben took his punishment, he apologized and did all that was required of him. I dont think they will make an example of him
     
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  2. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    Ward should be viewed as his impact on the game and not just his recieving numbers but unfortunately that's what the voters look at more. Hines might not have had as big of an impact as Blount but he did change how the game was played and they created rules to limit his devastating blocking.
     
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  3. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    His ability to extend plays was really fun to watch. I think hes a first ballot but who knows. Definitely a Hall of Famer though.
     
  4. First and goal

    First and goal Well-Known Member

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    I don't think this in any way affects Ben's chances. This is football using the Barry Bonds (Pete Rose, Roger Clemens etc) clause of you cheated the game, you get punished. I think that the early career personal issues - (SAx2, motorcycle crash) are a distant memory, and I can't think of any player held out for personal or personality issues. You can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that by the time he left the game, it seemed like he was widely approved by the writers. BB was both a repeat cheater and disliked by all.
     
  5. NorthernBlitz

    NorthernBlitz Well-Known Member

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    Off field stuff is going to matter too. It's why AB won't sniff the HoF now.

    Ben's fortunate that we're way past peak Me Too. But I won't be surprised if they make him wait as well.

    My understanding is that they also changed how the HoF voting works a couple years ago to make it harder to get in (although I guess there are talks to change again after BB didn't get in).

    Ben certainly deserves to be in on the 1st ballot. But so did BB.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. Joel Buchsbaum

    Joel Buchsbaum Well-Known Member

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    There is no higher honor in professional football than being inducted into the Hall of Fame in a player's first year of eligibility. Since the AFL-NFL merger, only a select few have achieved this status, representing the elite tier of Hall of Fame inductees.

    I understand there may be some bias against the Steelers or potential moral objections regarding Ben Roethlisberger's first year of candidacy. However, the Hall of Fame is ultimately for the fans. To ensure transparency, the selection panel’s votes should be made public so fans can determine if any voters are unfairly penalizing him for reasons outside of his performance on the field.

    Regardless, I am nearly certain ( 99.999% ) that Ben will eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

    - JB
     
  7. NorthernBlitz

    NorthernBlitz Well-Known Member

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    I would also like to see transparency in the voting. And I think there should be more turnover on the committees. Particularly if transparency in voting shows that some people are stupid with their votes (e.g. Peter King not voting for Troy).

    But I could also see transparency hurting the process too. In Ben's case, there could be some reporters who would vote for him. But they might feel that activists might attack them if they did given the previous SA allegations.

    IMO, the benefits are bigger than the risks. But as I said above, the politics of it make me not really care all that much re: HoF anymore.
     
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  8. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    I like Peter King and honestly enjoy reading some of his work but the man really has some weird views that come out of nowhere. Im sure they make sense to him at the time but for those not in the know they make very little sense. His choice of Garrett for DPOY based upon PFF's newly made up stat when every other measurable stat said Watt had the better season was just baffling especially since the new stat had no accounting for a tackle or sack. Just percentage of times the player got home(created pressure) vs single or dbl team. It's just weird.
     
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  9. Da Stellars

    Da Stellars Well-Known Member

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    Sport Reporters are petty AF ... if they have an axe to grind with Ben he will get snubbed. It wouldn't surprise me.
     
  10. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    I said it earlier in the thread I don't think they will penalize Ben because he apologized and served his suspension without grumbling. Belichick has never admitted he did anything wrong, hasn't apologized and steadfastly maintains he won't either. Thats why he got snubbed.
     
  11. jeh1856

    jeh1856 We Are

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    Nope

    Yes
     
  12. Joel Buchsbaum

    Joel Buchsbaum Well-Known Member

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    Peter King is a New England Patriots fan, born close to Boston. IMO he disliked the Steelers and kissed the Patriots rear end.

    He had some odd takes for sure.
     
  13. HeinzMustard

    HeinzMustard Well-Known Member

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    Ben will definitely get in.... however, I'm not going to throw a fit if he doesn't get in the first year of eligibility (next year).
     
  14. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    I know there was some debate on what type of QB Ben was in the beginning as compared to later on.

    Here it is, straight from Heath.
     
  15. D0bre Shunka

    D0bre Shunka Well-Known Member

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    Ben goes in 1st ballot. He changed the way the position is not only played but drafted(.)
     
  16. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    No.


    Big Ben will be in the Hall of Fame no doubt. No way he is a first ballot HOF though. He isn't even among the Top 15 QBs of All Time either.


    Dude had great stats throughout his career but his first five years were HARD CARRIED by the man in my avatar. From 2005-2011, the Steelers were Troy Polamalu's team. If anything, after Polamalu's retirement, Pittsburgh would only win three playoff games after the fact; a far cry from the 10 Total Playoff Games they won when he played.
     
  17. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    So Peyton Manning didn't go second overall?! No John Elway either going Number One?! What about the likes of Eli Manning?!


    On the subject of John Elway, he is far superior than Big Ben ever was. Without John Elway, the Broncos of the 1980s to 1990s are a complete joke. Granted, Big Ben did win two rings but Troy and that defense of the 2000s?! Man....
     
  18. D0bre Shunka

    D0bre Shunka Well-Known Member

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    Ben led his team over Manning when it counted. Manning is one of the all time greats but he played it like those before him, only better. Elway, who Ben fashioned his game after comes closest but again, Ben changed the way the position is played and more importantly, the way they draft for it. You can tout TP, defenses, and all the players you want it is a team sport. BUT, There were some great players on all those teams even with Elway. Bottom line, Roethlisberger took the field and general-ed the offense.

    2 or less minutes to go, game / season on the line, you can take them, I’ll take Ben. 1st Ballot HOF er.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2026 at 2:30 AM

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