The Hall of Fame is Broken: This Man Proves It

[@kennethroberts5455]

I remember Kenny Anderson, And I think he should be in the Hall of Fame!!!

[@nflunveiled]

Kenny for the Hall!

[@Oblitus1]

@@nflunveiled It's probably been about 20 years or so since I studied the career numbers of all QB's who had thrown at least 500 passes in their career. I recall evaluating Anderson as the second highest QB among all those whose careers had loosely overlapped with Anderson's. I recall evaluating only Staubach as more efficient than Anderson. This led me to conclude that Anderson was likely the most underrated QB I had studied, and that he deserved Hall-of-Fame honors. I appreciate that you and many others seem to agree with my conclusion regarding Ken Anderson. Unfortunately, it seems that many in the media often view unheralded QB's as somehow unworthy of Hall of Fame consideration. It may well be that we, the common fans of the game, may sometimes have a better idea of who is truly deserving of such honors than the Board of Selectors.

[@nflunveiled]

@@Oblitus1 honestly, I think you’re right! I don’t get the logic of voters half the time

[@cevans4x]

This is the best presentation I have seen for the case of Kenny Anderson being in the Hall. He was my favorite QB growing up and always knew he was one of the best ever during his career. I appreciate your hard work. Subscribed.

[@nflunveiled]

that's awesome to hear - thank you so much 🙏

[@dyohannes1]

From a Stabler-era Raiders fan, hell-yeah! Kenny Anderson DEFINITELY should be in the hall of fame. This video is a great case for the man. They should make an award for career excellence at QB...esp in the face of changing coaches, no defense, and no star running backs. Dude gave you hope every game if you were a fan. And if you were on the other side, you could game plan against him as their only weapon....and still lose. I love the comparison between the dead ball and live ball eras. Thanks

[@nflunveiled]

thanks for that, great to hear!

[@nathanielraker2820]

I think Ken Stabler himself if he were to pick a qb to copy thier fundamentals and mechanics it would be ken anderson

[@tmiklos4]

I am a Steelers fan and I remember Kenny very well. It was always a nervous game because the Bengals were very good. The Steelers did win a lot of the matchups, but they were not easy wins much of that was because of Kenny.

[@stevendavis1940]

You are correct in your assessment. He should be in. However, halls of fame are flawed.

[@nflunveiled]

very flawed indeed

[@kevinm3059]

Anderson is a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback. No real reasonable argument for him to be excluded.

[@acornsucks2111]

Rings.

[@danschneider7531]

Def HOFer. Lots of QBs in the 70s that had talent and are forgotten: Jim Hart, Bert Jones....

[@nflunveiled]

Bert Jones with the cannon!

[@pluscachange8446]

Two #14s belong in the Hall: 14 Ken Anderson 14 Pete Rose

[@vs-yy5cx]

in 82 he had a completion pct over 70% and got to the super bowl. When he had a good team around him, he was great.

[@chrisphillips348]

I both saw him in 79-end of career as a Quarterback myself later on, and I thought he was criminally underrated. My idols were Dan Fouts, Bradshaw and a young Dan Marino when I played QB. Ken was in the same offense that Joe Montana was and later Steve Young. Bill Walsh was the Coordinator for both the Bengals in 1970s and 9ers in 80s. I don’t care that Paul Brown was Wearing the headset, Walsh was in the press room calling the plays of HIS offense

[@jasonnelson6624]

Just curious did you see Greg Cook? That was the real Walsh QB and first franchise Qb for the Bengals. Walsh said he was a combination of Montana and Marino. You clearly have a type of QB that you prefer. For some reason I can't resist qb's that can throw deep. Oh how I was sold on Geoff George, Jay Cutler, and now Josh Allen. But at least I still have hope with Allen 🤣🤣🤣

[@chrisphillips348]

@@jasonnelson6624 only on film. I was too young…He had a Rocket arm but blew his rotator cuff if my great memory serves? West Coast offense was not right for him. He would have been better off in Don Coryell or Dick Vermeil’s offense with his ability! PS When Vermeil returned to coaching they won with an offense that had not been seen for 15 years. Now the League use the North - south stretch offense.

[@jasonnelson6624]

@chrisphillips348 yes your memory is correct. Of course its impossible to know what he would have been if he didnt get injured. Still though just the fact that he won both offensive rookie of the Year, and rookie of the Year. Plus offensive player of the week all while not only having a torn rotator cuff but also a detached bicep. How can someone even throw? Vermeil was an interesting one. Always crying lol I still picture him sticking his neck out for Lawrence Phillips. Just like Vermeil Coryell also had a talented and troubled running back in Chuck Muncie. As a kid I was around the Oakland Raiders players, and you know its bad when they say he is crazy and has a coke problem. Lol the NFL was different back then.

[@dantean]

I watched him throughout his career and was AMAZED to learn he hadn't made the Hall. He was Joe Montana before Joe Montana--only with barely any help. I mean, when Pete Johnson's your most notable name at RB during a run-heavy era (half of it, anyway) you KNOW your scouting department have fallen behind in the running back-judging department. Seriously, Anderson was the only thing GREAT they had going for them in that period apart from Anthony Munoz.

[@nflunveiled]

right?!

[@mcarlkv53]

ken anderson, paul krause, rocky bleir, lc greenewood, many others should be in HOF

[@trickshottim]

I grew up a Steeler fan and admit that Kenny Anderson was great. Isaac Curtis, Booby Clark and Essex Johnson were solid as well.

[@zyxwut321]

Everyone knows Terry Bradshaw is in the HOF because he won 4 Super Bowls. No other reason. He was the ultimate in "game manager" quarterbacks in an era when running games and defenses were much more dominant.

[@tmiklos4]

@@zyxwut321 yes, but TB is one of the best Big game QBs, he brought his best play to the big games or big moments. And by far TB is the GOAT of the long pass. You could expect the long pass when watching the Steelers of the 70s. Watch his Superbowl clips to get an idea of passing we saw regularly. Not always successful but a threat on every play... ( Because he had free range on every play, and called 95+% of them by 1974). Anderson was a QB with great stats, but he was in the toughest division and the team was usually not on top of the division.

[@jasonnelson6624]

Calling Bradshaw a game manager is wild to me. I'm definitely not a Bradshaw fan. I would have pointed out Namath before Bradshaw. But I do agree having 4 super bowls and countless other hof teammates probably had a lot to do with him getting in. But the other commentator was also right he game through on big games. But if that mattered then Plunkett would be in there 🤣🤣🤣

[@RoyPage1970]

Jim plunkett has two super bowl rings started both games enough said@@jasonnelson6624

[@tmiklos4]

@@jasonnelson6624 as for his hof teammates. Most of them if on a losing team would have never been in the hof. But winning made it possible for all of them. But without Bradshaw there wouldn't have been any Superbowl wins. You can't say that about any of the other hof Steelers not even mean Joe. Yes it takes a team. But rarely do you win the Superbowl with average QB. And yes Bradshaw ran that offence on GameDay. There wasn't a play coming in from the coaching staff... Yes the plays were planned and practiced but during the game Bradshaw made the play decision on the vast majority of plays.

[@jasonnelson6624]

@tmiklos4 yes of course winning adds to their legacy and might make them appear better than they were. But they had 18 pro bowl players and for sure they had stars. Especially on defense like Lambert, Ham, Blount, Greene. Not to mention Webster, Harris, Stallworth and the overrated Swann. This is just off the top of my head. Obviously we have no way of knowing but I think they could have had same to similar results with a number of quarterbacks. I don't think Bradshaw was that great. In a lot of ways a lot like Brett Favre. Except he showed up better in big games. Can't knock him there.

[@wol4djr]

One of the most accurate QBs in football. He had high completion percentages before anyone considered that important. A Bill Walsh protege, before he went west.

[@spikenomoon]

His and Pete Rose were gambling buddies. Maybe??

[@kevk9863]

He should

[@theRealBohemian61]

I’m a child of the 60-70’s. I thought Kenny was already in the Hall. Hopefully this gets resolved in his favor sometime. 🏈

[@skepticalsmurf]

yeah,before the Big Sleep(like Stabler)!!! 😬

[@vpimike2646]

As a Steelers fan that lived through that era, I absolutely agree with you on this. Anderson was clearly better than Terry. If he had the supporting cast that Bradshaw had, perhaps they would have won a couple more Super Bowls.

[@robertledford499]

AGREED! He was a great qb. I watched him play on sundays for Cincinnati. He was tough.

[@chrisbunka]

I loved Kenny Anderson growing up as a Bengals fan in the Cincy area.

[@richardbarry4663]

I was surprised to learn Kenny Anderson was not in the hall of fame. Of course he belongs, he was an amazing QB.

[@DWilliam1]

I watched him play and he was an excellent QB.

[@aVerveQuest]

Anderson, Isaac Curtis, Stanley Morgan, Harold Jackson...... Too many great players from losing teams in that era were overlooked for the hall ....... Morgan and Jackson were top five receivers in NFL history of the time of their retirement

[@johnliberty3647]

I remember Ken Anderson, I thought he was one of the best in the league in the very early 80’s. HOF worthy

[@KeithBartz]

Absolutely correct. The Hall needs to expand the number of veterans that it admits. How does the Hall justify 30 plus year snubs to Ken Stabler, Cliff Branch, and Drew Pearson. And those players had Super Bowl victories, which is the Hall's excessive obsession. The Hall needs to permanently increase the number of veterans admitted per year. Too many like Anderson are deserving of induction but for whatever reason didn't win the popularity contest. One veteran per year is absolutely ridiculous and has denied many deserving greats of the past.

[@aVerveQuest]

The efficiency of Ken Anderson and Roger Staubach was unmatched during this era

[@kevinjennings6984]

Remember him from his college career, as I grew up near Augustana. Kenny was a solid player, in the mold of a Bob Griese, threw a good ball, avoided mistakes, used the offensive weapons he had well. But aside from the “Ice Bowl”, he seldom found himself in “big moments” that define careers. His stats are great, but was he ever “famous”? 100% agree he should be in the HOF, just not sure enough others agree.

[@johntremain8403]

Steeler fan here. Anderson was really good, you always had to be a little worried about how good of a day he might have. We had a lot of respect for Anderson. I would say he never got on the ballot because no Super Bowl win. Probably stuck behind Dan Marino all those years in the minds of the people putting the ballot together. By the time Marino did get in, (2005), he had been out of the public eye for a long time.

[@johntremain8403]

I agree it isn't just SB wins. But it can't be just stats. Marino and Kelly both made it in with no SB wins. Marino on holding so many passing records, Kelly on AFC titles/SB appearances. What gets any player in is how well they rank amongst their peers in the years that follow their eligibility. Anderson's issue was who he was competing with for a spot on the ballot. If they had a HOF that was only for QBs, I think Anderson gets in.

[@tbird33mojolane]

He led the NFL in passing twice under a Bill Walsh system and twice under a Lindy Infante system. Two opposite systems. The Infante system had much more vertical passing in it. Bill Walsh would go vertical more w/ Ken Anderson than he did w/ his other QBs

[@crollwtide9452]

1:44 The 1974-75 seasons should be taken more seriously simply due to the fact that those seasons predated upcoming rule changes that would make it easier for receivers to get open to catch passes. It had to be tough leading the league in passing in those days the way defenses commonly clamped down on passing games. The numbers from back then look pretty tame compared to that of modern-day passers, and that can make it tricky to build a case for the older veteran QBs that have yet to get into the hall of fame.

[@JK-br1mu]

Good career completion rate for that era, 59.3%. A lot of great 80s QBs threw in the 50s, much less in the 1970s.

[@fredeisen7401]

Totally agree with Kevinm3059. Well said!

[@aVerveQuest]

Looking at how Anderson outdoor Dan fouts in the Frozen playoff game in 81 is a testament to his arm strength and ability. Fouts couldn't throw a pass to save his life in those wins but Anderson seemed to do it effortlessly

[@nflunveiled]

excellent point!

[@RobertWill-uq3iv]

Watched him play in the freezer bowl. You knew Fouts was going to air it out, but Anderson decided to match his pace. That game was a pingpong match.

[@ryanjacobson2508]

Just saw a highlight video with new interviews on that game. Fouts' passes mostly fluttered and died even the shorter ones. Ken on the other hand managed quite a few tight spirals and he definitely had a better game overall.

[@lawrenceterrell429]

I saw him play. I'm surprised he's not in the Hall of Fame.

[@youareivan]

really enjoyed your video, and agree that kenny anderson should be in the hall. also, at 2:10 he went by Fran Tarkenton, short for Francis, not Frank.

[@nflunveiled]

glad to hear! yeah my bad, misspoke, thanks for pointing it out

[@charlesdavenport6094]

Definitely a great QB!

[@CharlesWashington-s5m]

Ken Anderson was smooth as butter. His timing. His accuracy. I mean, the man was a surgeon on the football field. Two reasons that he is not in HOF is because number one, Cincinnati was, and still is a pretty small market. That means Ken Anderson didn't get enough publicity that he deserved, and number two, The Cincinnati Bengals was, and still is a mediocre franchise. If The Bengals would have won Super Bowl XVI, Ken Anderson would be in The HOF by now.

[@nflunveiled]

true...not love for Cincinnati

[@ryanjacobson2508]

The Bengals in the later 80's/early 90's were the only AFC team to actually be competitive in the Superbow (and may have won it if Tim Krumrie didn't suffer a horrific leg break in the 2nd half, the Niners offense did better after he got hurt).

[@tad-q2b]

Played at Augustana College. Go Vikings !

[@integrity101]

Honestly, we are at a point now where I don't care about the HOF anymore and I'd rather see discussions about the HALL OF GREATEST PLAYERS. The HOF is just a list of players that had the best storybook careers. It's not about the best players anymore, maybe it never was. Ken should be in though. Clearly he is GREAT.

[@troyc4250]

If Namath is in the HOF then Plunkett needs to be. Marino had monster stats but never won a superbowl yet he’s in the HOF. Put Anderson in the HOF.

[@neurocell159]

I lived in Western Ohio from '72-'76. My father was a steelers fan since their inception. He couldn't stand how everyone was a Cleveland fan. I was only a kid (born in '68), so the most that I remember about football was how he was upset about Cleveland fans changing their allegiance to Pittsburgh (Or with his West Virginia accent: Pissburgh.), and how he didn't like playing against Ken Anderson. We moved to Seattle in '76. The Seahawks won their first game that weekend, and their first home game on my birthday. To top it off, my sister worked for the Seahawks marketing department. She kept complaining how Jim Zorn could've been like Ken Anderson. I didn't understand that, so I would follow him. I got to see how good he was, and wished that Zorn was him, or that we had Anderson. It wasn't until the '90s that I found out why she felt that Zorn could've been as good as Anderson when I learned that John Nordstrom, the Hawks original owner, tried to hire Bill Walsh as the first head coach. Paul Brown didn't want him to leave, so he told Nordstrom that Walsh was a drunk, and he kept him around because he wanted to help Walsh. Anderson was mobile, but he was even better than Dan Marino when it came to moving around in the pocket. Anderson could scramble, but he was at his best when he just adjusted his protection with a few steps. His intuition and ability to take one step, and avoid a sack, were phenomenal. I spoke with two brother-in-laws extensively about football from the AFL era on. One is a 49ers fan, and the other was a Dolphins fan. Both were about 20 years older than me, and we'd discuss players that I only knew from highlights and stats. Both were happy when Anderson retired. And both were shocked when I told them that Mark Mosley won MVP over Anderson. Both respected him, and the 9ers fan told me how nervous he had been during the super bowl. I was a casual fan until '82. I could only name top tier players, or players from specific teams. Anyone outside Dallas, Oakland, Pittsburgh, or Seattle were virtually unknown to me, except Ken Anderson. I'm glad that I got to see him several times, but also glad that I got to see him when he was aging because he was the player that showed me that you need to appreciate a great player since they won't always be that same great player. It's a travesty that he's not in the hall.

[@nflunveiled]

thank you for sharing awesome to hear. I agree it is a travesty!

[@neurocell159]

@@nflunveiled You're welcome.

[@DAVYMAC]

Fact: The "west coast offense" is actually PAUL BROWNS offense. He invented it back when he coached The Browns. It was invented by him so he could get the ball to a RB by the name of JIM BROWN. When Walsh left the Bengals he asked management if he could copy that offense, management said yes. Walsh obviously added his own wrinkles. This offense helped Joe Montana accomplish his high completion percentage and its a short passing offense designed to help get the ball to RBs (Roger Craig) Bob Trumpy interviewed Walsh on WLW Radio Cincinnati. And Walsh stated this fact, from Walsh own mouth. I've heard that interview TWICE. We cringe everytime we hear the term "west coast offense" That offense was created and designed on the Berea Ohio Field practice facility!

[@crollwtide9452]

I'd say that Bradshaw's Super Bowl wins gave him the latitude he needed to make the HoF (at the time, he was the only QB to ever win four of them). With that said, it is a bit strange that Ken Anderson has yet to make it.

[@zyxwut321]

Yes, Ken Anderson should, and I believe ultimately WILL be in the Hall of Fame. His case kind of reminds me of Jerry Kramer in that both were borderline cases who were passed over for decades by voters who knew they should be in but found knocks against them for various trifling reasons. Was he the greatest quarterback of all time? Not even close. Was he the greatest quarterback of his era? Probably not. Was he one of the best quarterbacks of his era and an important player in the history of the game, influencing its evolution and direction? Absolutely!

[@nflunveiled]

I hope you're right, he definitely ought to be in

[@jasonnelson6624]

Wishful thinking. I'd bet Eli gets in before Anderson. Hell Burrow might make it before Anderson. The hof is flawed look at how they waited till after stabler died and they he became a hof player. Anderson definitely should be there he was a hof player.

[@TyStick]

Should be in the hall what's really going on 💯

[@davidkuharich9269]

He definitely belongs in the HOF.

[@russellgilfix8280]

I've been a fan since 1960. Ive seen them all... many live. From Unitas to Jurgensen to Stabler to Bradshaw to Fouts to Marino to Elway to Montana to Young to Aikman to Bledsoe to Brady to Manning to Rodgers to Mahomes... etc. Yes Anderson was good enough to make it. I believe he would have had he either had Walsh been made HC of the Bengals or been on a more consistently talented team. He would have been great for any of the strong teams of his years. Farrrrr better than Bradshaw for example. A high efficiency low mistake qb on a team with a strong defense is a hard to beat combination. On a strong team overall Montana and Brady show what a QB with those dynamics might do. The only qbs in the 1979s that is in his class were Staubach and Fouts and Fouts has some of his best in the early 1980s. It was Fouts who lost to Anderson in the freezer bowl playoff game. Though san Diego was playing after a debilitating longgggg overtime win verse miami which, for example, ended with star TE Keller Winslow (sr) unable to walk off the field on his own due to dehydration and exhaustion. Added to the impacts over traveling home and then traveling to Cincinnati plus being a warm town yean playing in a game COLDER than the Green Bay Dallas ICE Bowl of 1967. So fouts has some benefit of the doubt in that one head to head.. In any case, anderson SHOULD be in the HOF.

[@frankb600]

No doubt he should be the Hall of Fame !!!!

[@nflunveiled]

🙌

[@BayouRoach-p3v]

"The Original West Coast Offense Quarterback"

[@stevesmith2171]

I have to admit,I just assumed he was in the HOF. How can he not be?

[@nflunveiled]

thinking the same thing

[@davidfox9947]

The problem is that winning a Super Bowl is over valued just because you happen to be on the right team at the right time does not mean you are one of the greatest of all time. It does mean you are are a champion and part of a great team but the HOF should be for great players not good players on great teams.

[@nflunveiled]

totally agree

[@linkercasas1004]

He will be inducted one day. Ken was one helluva quarterback. If youre a Bengals fan-I know how feel though-That was the case with us Raider fans with Kenny Stabler-long overdue… but we knew at some point he would make it.

[@nflunveiled]

hopefully you are right

[@deansapp4635]

Please do a video on Bert Jones

[@nflunveiled]

sure, let me add that to my video idea list. anything specific you'd like to see in it?

[@deansapp4635]

@@nflunveiled Im sure whatever find on him will be good, Thanks

[@Davepool-hs7vr]

Dan Fouts and Warren Moon are in the HOF without even getting to the Super Bowl.

[@nflunveiled]

exactly!

[@ThomasCourt-c2f]

As a lifelong Cowboys fan I can say with absolute assurity that Troy Aikman does not belong in the Hall of Fame. Aikman was the quarterback of three teams that won the Super Bowl - which seems to be reason why he is considered a no-brainer member of Canton. But those Dallas teams won because they focused on running the ball and playing fast and aggressive defense. No player had ever won a rushing title and a Super Bowl ring in the same season - until Emmitt Smith accomplished the feat three times. The Cowboys defense was ranked in the top 5 in lowest points allowed during that magnificent four year stretch (1992-1995) when they won their three titles. Aikman played in only 165 career games - barely more than ten full seasons. In those games he threw 165 touchdown passes to go with 141 interceptions. With the NFL’s all-time leading rusher in his absolute prime, you would expect a much better TD/INT ratio. Barely playing ten years with an average season consisting of 16 touchdown passes, 14 interceptions and a 9-7 record? Wow. His career passer rating of 81.6 is lower than Ken Anderson’s, with these players performing in vastly different eras for quarterbacks. Imagine Ken Anderson protected by that Dallas offensive line, playing in a much more passer friendly era, and being able to hand the ball off to Emmitt Smith. Heck, his career numbers are already better than Aikman’s without those advantages! Aikman was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVII when he threw for four touchdown passes. But the Dallas defense forced nine turnovers in that game. Any quarterback in the NFL that season would have led the Cowboys to victory. In Super Bowl XXVIII the following year, Dallas trailed Buffalo 13-6 after a first half that saw Aikman throw a crucial interception in Bills territory. It would be the Dallas defense and Emmitt Smith once again that propelled the Cowboys to victory. On the third snap of the second half, the Cowboys would tie the score when a Thurman Thomas fumble was returned for a touchdown by James Washington. The Dallas D held Buffalo to a three and out. Then Troy Aikman picked apart the Bill defense in leading his troops down the field. No, wait; Dallas handed the ball off to Emmitt Smith six consecutive times, Aikman completed a three yard pass, and then Emmitt scored on a 15 yard touchdown. Troy had basically done nothing, and the Cowboys had turned a 13-6 deficit into a 20-13 lead. Aikman would finish the game 19-27 for 207 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. Against Pittsburgh two years later in Super Bowl XXX, Aikman would turn in a better performance (15-23, 209, 1-0). But in reality, it was Steeler QB Neil O’Donnell throwing two passes directly into the mid-section of Dallas cornerback Larry Brown that contributed most to the Cowboys win. In the last 25 minutes of play, Aikman completed just 2 of 6 passes for 39 yards and took a nine yard sack.

[@nflunveiled]

this is very interesting. I wonder where some of these hall of famers would be without the stars they were surrounded by and if that means their case for being an all time great is in reality, a weak case...

[@ThomasCourt-n4r]

@@nflunveiled I agree totally. If Aikman had a couple of seasons of 35 touchdown passes and 8 interceptions, people could argue that it was either because of his ability or that play-action fakes to Emmitt opened up a lot of easy scores. But even with Emmitt, he only managed one season of 20+ touchdown passes and a paltry TD-INT career mark of 165-141. His HOF credentials rest solely on the team success of the Cowboys during that four-year stretch. Aikman's resume outside of those four years is pretty awful.

[@carlholstein2930]

He definitely should be in the Hall of Fame, I don't think Cincinnati would have had a winning season with out Anderson. He had to a one point ware a flack jacket to protect his ribs, so much for protection, had he play on almost any other team he would definitely be in the hall. I loved the guy as a QB and hurt for him every time he got whacked.

[@nflunveiled]

he was definitely a difference maker. Record before Anderson: 19-32-1 vs with Anderson: 91-81-0!

[@danielgabalski2312]

I grew up in Buffalo and watched Anderson play. I thought he was excellent.

[@MichaelForte-jn5pn]

Kenny belongs in the HOF....but don't hold your breath on him getting in anytime soon....

[@DavidPowisDow]

I was mainly watching NFC Central games back then, but I always thought Anderson was one of the best QBs in the league. The Bengals rarely lost because of him. He was hurt by staying with them his whole career, IMHO.

[@nflunveiled]

yeah playing in Cincinnati seems to mean you are automatically shunned by the Hall lol

[@rufuspipemos]

Anderson is the most influential QB of the last 50 years. Joe Montana was an 80's replica of Ken and Aaron Rodgers is too and he does not even know it. His style of looking downfield and then dropping passes nearby if receivers were covered is now the Modus Operendi for every QB in the NFL. No QB did that until him. And the emphasis on low turnovers and completion percentage is religion now. All that comes from Anderson. His coach at Cinncy was Bill Walsh, who coached him and then trained Joe Montana in SF using videos of Kenny. Between 1977-1981, the Bengals were awful. When they got good in 1982, then he became to most efficient QB that year, just like he was in their playoff runs of 1973-1975. This may be apocryphal, but it is well known Chuck Knoll was not a fan of Terry Bradshaw. It is rumored Chuck once said that "If I had Kenny Anderson, we would have won the Super Bowl every year."

[@tmiklos4]

Anderson probably would be in the Hall of Fame if the Bengals were in another division. Being in the AFC North with the Oliers, Browns and Steelers, made it hard to be noticed. Also he would most likely be in if he won that Superbowl. Hell half of the Steelers of that era are in . Winning is a key. Divisions, help. But Superbowl wins make you a shoe in for decent QBs.

[@nflunveiled]

yeah that's a good point

[@mikeyerian2562]

But...Anderson is better than Bradshaw. Bradshaw was on the Steelers. Hall of FAME.

[@kevinbowen6182]

He should be in. But he and Montana, especially were Bill Walsh system quarterbacks. And the Bill Walsh was designed especially to maximize the production of less talented quarterbacks. A way to win with the quarterback you had instead of the quarterback you wanted. So that's kind of the knock. But the press loved Young and Montana.

[@kenhill3230]

That is a travesty. He was a great QB.

[@nflunveiled]

it's criminal!

[@cookie1054]

Had Kenny played for any other team he would have made the HOF in 1991. And, sadly, would have won multiple SB’s with a better team.

[@douglastovey2685]

Terry has 4 reasons to be in the hall of fame.

[@joeyapur1229]

HOF, yeah!

[@skipklauber1162]

One of the first names when I advise my youngest son about players who should be in the HOF.

[@UrbanLegend9669]

Jim Plunkett Clearly is the Greatest NFL QB not in the HOF . He won a SB as a Starter in 1981 and One as a Backup in 1984 for the Raiders

[@theRealBohemian61]

Plunkett also filled a giant helmet to the point of bursting. I believe he ate someone else’s head and stored it in his…it helps with reading defenses. 🧐😳

[@UrbanLegend9669]

@theRealBohemian61 Still the only NFL QB from San Jose , California to Play for Both Bay Area teams . SF 49ers and Oakland Raiders

[@Luther-1968]

Seems like because he was so methodical and steady, not flashy, Anderson is unfairly snubbed. Treated almost like he was an outstanding backup not a starter

[@nflunveiled]

"treated like an outstanding backup" - too true!

[@aVerveQuest]

It seems that in the 70s and early 80s Hall of Fame voters voted mostly on Super bowl appearances

[@KTernus-d6x]

Real question is him or Snake?

[@kewhawaii]

both

[@jasonnelson6624]

Why is that the real question? Because they both are kens? But ok Ken Anderson over Stabler. His stats are way way better. Stabler teams were also way better the fact that Plunkett was able to take them and win the super bowl twice as a backup. Says something, I'm not sure if thats how good Plunkett was but it says something. Also both anderson and Stabler were absolutely loved by their teammates. So edge to Anderson for taking care of the ball and not throwing ints. Stabler didnt give a F if he threw an interception and his stats show that. Which I respect put the ability to party and play.

[@KTernus-d6x]

@@jasonnelson6624 Snake was snubbed for what seems an eternity too. They are contemporaries, but Snake won a title and an MVP. That is probably the biggest difference. Snake got in in 2016 (pretty sure it was posthumously). Plunkett won two but he wasn’t nearly as prolific.

[@jasonnelson6624]

@KTernus-d6x yes they let him in like right after he passed. So was it a sarcastic question? Because Anderson has multiple MVP stabler has 1. Stabler has 1 super bowl win and Anderson lost his Super Bowl. Andersons stats are way better and with less talent. I grew up around the oakland Raiders and heard them talk about stabler and how much they loved him. They really felt like with him they can always win. I bring that up because I dont want this to come off like I'm insulting Stabler, but by every criteria Anderson is better than Stabler except he didnt win his Super Bowl. Which I get Super bowls matter just for some though. Mario, Kelly and others are in with no Super bowls. Or probably the most undeserving is Namath. Maybe I just read your comment wrong but it came off like only one can make it so him or snake.

[@jasonnelson6624]

@KTernus-d6x just for clearity I only mention plunkett because people like to put value on super bowl wins. Plunkett didnt have a hall of fame career. But he came through on the biggest games and wasnt the starting QB when the season's started. Thats impressive to me especially after being basically a bust. The fact that Eli will probably make it because of his 2 super bowls the. Plunkett should but won't.

[@vpimike2646]

If it wasn't for Dan Bunz, he would be in the HoF.

[@bnx200]

I'm not saying whether this is fair or not, but winning the Super Bowl makes a huge difference in whether or not a player gets selected to the Hall of Fame. Joe Namath's stats are worse than Ken Anderson's and Terry Bradshaw's, and he's in the HoF too.

[@nflunveiled]

I do agree, but if other QBs have been inducted without a ring, voters can't hold that against Anderson

[@mckman6700]

As you pointed out the defenses his peers played with (steel curtain/no name /doomsday etc.) allowed for more success for those QB's without them necessarily being better than Anderson. In essence Anderson is being penalized by the voters because his teammates weren't as good as he was. Ironically the same thing is happening with Joe Burrow as he is clearly the best QB in the league this year.

[@nflunveiled]

the Bengals disrespect continues lol

[@redbluffman3278]

What about John Brodie, Jim Plunkett and Roman Gabriel?

[@jasonnelson6624]

There is a cap on how many 49er qb's they allow in the hof. 🤣🤣🤣

[@BlazeOfGlory742]

He was a very very good QB. Yeah he def should be in Canton. He won a bowl he woulda been in.

[@nflunveiled]

yup, but seems illogical for voters to keep him out just because he doesn't have a ring

[@sandmanlogan5ran149]

He was better than half the guys in the Hall

[@sandmanlogan5ran149]

Super Bowls count way too much for HOF consideration

[@nflunveiled]

agreed. I get the importance of winning, but seems to be a bit overvalued

[@jasonnelson6624]

They do. Yet for some the dont count at all like Plunkett winner of 2.

[@bobsbbcards]

Who’s Frank Tarkenton? 😊

[@jeremywaltz]

Ray Nitschke's lunch.

[@85isaboat53]

This is true!!!

[@KTernus-d6x]

Looks like he carried bad Olines and defenses.

[@mikejohnson9606]

I wish the Hall Of Fame would take 1 person from every position, but that will never happen.

[@jasonnelson6624]

What position is excluded? They let Ray guy in so they did finally include kickers/punters. Plus Hester made it so kick returners are in. I questioned if maybe you meant every team should have a player? But Bengals have Munoz in there so guess I'm a little confused.

[@mikejohnson9606]

@jasonnelson6624 I guess I didn't realize Hester was in as a kick returner. I knew that he was in but I thought they put him in as a defensive back.

[@jasonnelson6624]

@@mikejohnson9606 CB? He played wr more than CB. I know that was his position at the U. When the Bears drafted him in the 2nd round everyone was laughing at them saying why waste a 2nd round pick on a guy who's just a special teams player. Honestly my feeling on him has changed. After his rookie season I felt sure fire hof for special teams. Even though I still think he is the best returner. His value or impact on teams outcome is so low its a little hard to justify him over say Corey Dillion or Ken Anderson. But really the whole hof process is just flawed. But what is perfect I suppose?

[@mikejohnson9606]

@jasonnelson6624 yes, I agree the Hall Of Fame system in the NFL is flawed.

[@jasonnelson6624]

@@mikejohnson9606 sadly all the sports hof are. NBA will let almost anyone in. MLB and NFL seem to like to play games. Purposely making players wait a year or two. Or let their personal life and issues keep them out. Then media and fans feel a need to make goat list I guess being an all time great just wasn't enough? Lol.

[@Goat4421]

Super Bowls😞

[@vernonhurley1300]

How about a two time super bowl champ not in?

[@nflunveiled]

Plunkett would be an interesting one to make a video about actually

[@dougpeterson7819]

Kenny and Jim Marshall should be

[@transplant-f3p]

Team success seems to be too important a factor. Players on dominant teams get more recognition. Quarterbacks usually get too much credit and too much blame.

[@nflunveiled]

yeah I agree

[@skepticalsmurf]

YES..: 👍🏼

[@MarkDeGarmo]

Yes! Anderson went against the Steel Curtain defense twice a year … Bradshaw, of course, never did.

[@nflunveiled]

yup

[@billywoods3337]

I remember him as the kind of QB you had to shut down, or he'd put points on the board every time he got the ball. He was a problem.

[@maureencora1]

Raiders Jim Pluckett Should Be in Too.

[@nflunveiled]

@@maureencora1 yeah going to make a video on Plunkett’s case too

[@maureencora1]

@@nflunveiled Touche' (smile)

[@armusc757]

Any QB that throws twice as many interceptions v TD's is not HOF material.

[@DavidBayliff]

anderson should be in and so should jim plunket 2 time super bowl winner

[@nflunveiled]

yes I think I'm going to make a video on Plunkett next

[@saddletramp6935]

He played a lot of games against the Steelers, who were in their defensive hayday. Look up 1976. He was very good but it didnt win the big one.

[@RickSaylor-r9m]

The only reason that Ken Anderson or any Bengals besides the obvious in A Munoz is because the NFL is biased against the Brown family who owns this franchise. This goes all the way back to the feud between Art Modell and Paul Brown that led to Brown's firing. The hof voters always point to the Bengals never winning a SB but yet the League will never allow the Bengals to win a Superbowl. ( If you believe the NFL is scripted and I do.) Especially now that betting is legal.

[@marcwhitlock5450]

It goes to show how much winning superbowls means to get into the HOF, Namath Bradshaw or Aikman would never sniff the HOF without those teams carrying them

[@jasonnelson6624]

While I agree with you. I just have to play devils advocate and point out Jim Plunkett winner of 2 super bowls is not a hof. But it does piss me off to think Namath is in and Eli will probably make it to.

[@Motosteevo]

I helped KA become ROY I was a highschool senior and he was going to his rookie training camp His grandparents had a summer cabin near my hometown of BRAINERD mn We worked out together for three weeks After the first day I had to complain to him that his throws were “ too accurate “; meaning he didn’t make them difficult enough for me to practice catching ‘bad passes’ I became All-State wide receiver and he made ROY!

[@nflunveiled]

oh that's amazing! thanks for stopping by & sharing

[@Motosteevo]

My pleasure

[@aVerveQuest]

The fact that Anderson overcame the huge shadow that was Greg Cook's aborted career says a lot about the man.

[@DT-dz1jc]

Oh YES..Mr Augustana DEFINITELY belongs. I grew up a huge Meredith and even bigger Staubach fan. And I STILL take Roger #1 but COME ON. There are those from that time with incredibly long injury free careers who put up crazy counting stats like Unitas and Tarkenton & having watched them both you gotta put Jurgenson right there with them & the HoF agrees. As good as Bradshaw & Fouts & Stabler & Staubach & Dawson were & they were incredible so was Hadl & Brodie & Anderson & Bert Jones. It's a travesty that those last 4 get no respect & I'd take all 4 ESPECIALLY those last 2 over Griese OR Namath. Ken Anderson was a great, GREAT QB very accurate & tough as nails. With a better supporting cast even a decent defense or smarter drafting; Hello Archie Griffin; he'd be better respected. Even if Walsh had been promoted to Bengals HC who knows? Montana & Young were great but were benefitted greatly by Walsh as HC & you can't tell those other guys' stories without Noll or Landry or Shula or Coryell & even Bud Grant...Anderson Jones Hadl Brodie had nobody like that at their team's helm...I'm grateful to have grown up when I did. If you know you know. I STILL say Bert Jones was THE best passer but everyone knew it. He was throwing those tight spiraling 60 yard whistlers at LSU & him to Carr or even checking down to Lydell was flat scary. But Anderson came from nowhere & that's part of his mystique. I think THAT should be a benefit. Like Cliff Harris from Ouachita or all those HBCU guys. It's just a great story. If those HoF guys came calling NOW that h's so far overdue I'd tell em to go to hell just like if I were the GREAT Pete Rose's family. Cool enough that Anderson got his SB ring coaching Big Ben. And for those of us of a certain age we KNOW Ken Anderson was right there with THE best of THE best. Great video.

[@nflunveiled]

Couldn’t have said it better, thanks for sharing!