A sad day in football today as the legendary Raiders’ head Tom Flores is denied the Hall of Fame.
In what’s becoming a common theme with the NFL Hall of Fame and the Raiders as a whole, another legend was denied entry.
This time? Former head coach, Tom Flores.
Besides John Madden, Flores is the second coach that’s become integrated into the mystique of the Silver and Black. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Flores’s record with the Raiders organization remains one of the best in the team’s history at 83-53. In spite of such accolades, however, the coach did not make it to the list of semifinalists.
BREAKING: Semifinalists announced for 2018 Hall of Fame class https://t.co/RnuIlOvjiR pic.twitter.com/lzhNVTfFAi
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) November 22, 2017
Many argue that the time spent with the Seattle Seahawks has hurt Flores with the “Hall.” The record? Well, it was 14-34 in three seasons. If this alone is the reason voters have repeatedly denied Flores entry, then that is a shame. Two Super Bowl wins and a .527 winning percentage apparently isn’t good enough anymore these days.
Let’s not forget either that Flores became and continues to be a pillar of the Latino community. First Latino starting quarterback? Check. The only participant to win a Super Bowl as a player, coaching assistant, and head coach? Check.
As of today coach, Flores is 80 years old and like all of us, his time will come in life. With that said, it would truly be a shame if the NFL Hall of Fame denied Flores his moment much like they did with the late Ken Stabler. Is there some sort of conspiracy to keep Raiders out of the “Hall” or is that just fan chatter? Well, I can’t argue for a conspiracy only what I see as fact.
And that fact? Well, that so many Raider legends have been denied entry from Jim Plunkett to Lester Hayes to one of the greatest receivers in history, Cliff Branch. One can’t speak for any voters or fans but there can be little argument that the treatment of coach Flores until now has been a disgrace.
We can only hope that the ol’ coach will be able to enjoy his moment when, and if, he ever gets it.
