Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Sharper's Hall of Fame nomination causes national outcry
Share This Post
Comments
Friday, September 16, 2016 - 4:00pm

CANTON, Ohio -- The inclusion of former NFL safety and convicted rapist Darren Sharper on the Pro Football's Hall of Fame nomination list, shocked some people Friday and has started a national debate over who should be eligible for induction.

Sharper, a five-time Pro Bowler, appeared on the list released Thursday because at least one Hall of Fame selector nominated Sharper. He also was nominated last year - before he pleaded guilty in a case in which he was accused of drugging and raping up to 16 women in four states. U.S. District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced him to 18 years in prison last month.

Hall of Fame spokesman Joe Horrigan explained that there is no character clause in the bylaws, which are approved by the Hall of Fame's board of directors. To be eligible for the nominating process, a player or coach must be retired for at least five years. Forty-eight voters nominate and select the players, coaches and contributors to appear on the ballot based solely on the contributions they have made to the sport, Horrigan said.

To make the first of several cuts, a candidate must be nominated by at least one selector. Horrigan said he didn't know who nominated Sharper this year or last, and that everyone must abide by the rules that are approved by the Hall's board of directors.

"We do have a committee that reviews the process every year, not just from that kind of question, but who can be elected, the number of selections we can have and how the system worked or if it could work better," Horrigan told The Associated Press on Friday. "So I would anticipate this would always be part of the question. But I don't anticipate any groundswell (to change the rules) based on this one case."

Sharper, who won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and also played in Minnesota and New Orleans, is not likely to be elected. But it's certainly not the first time the character question has been raised in regard to Hall of Fame selections.

One of the most notable honorees is O.J. Simpson, who has been incarcerated in Nevada for robberty and kidnapping for the past eight years following a 1995 acquittal on the infamous double-murder. Despite calls for his removal more than two decades ago, Simpson remains a member of pro football's most prestigious club.

And linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who has had a series of run-ins with the law - mostly involving drugs or alcohol - also remains in the Hall of Fame. He pleaded guilty to charges of sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute who was 16 years old. He was sentenced to six years of probation in 2011.

"We had to abide by our bylaws, and our bylaws do not have any provision for removal," Horrigan said, recalling the debate about Simpson. "That was probably the highest-profile case that caused us to have discussions on the incident. But ultimately our board voted that it had to be determined on how he played the game."

The public may not see it the same way. Fans and journalists expressed dismay with posts on Twitter on Friday.

"This is not a character flaw, however. This is something even Sharper described at his sentencing as 'heinous,'" Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy wrote after the nominees were released Thursday. "This is not someone who was mean to reporters or undermined his teammates or got in one too many bar fights. This is someone who has acknowledged he drugged women - notice the plural there - for the purpose of forcing himself on them while they were incapacitated."

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Bochy: 'Dugout had some fun' with Posey after ending HR drought
Moore feels joy for Giants' confidence in him to pull through
Posey on snapping his power drought and Giants' momentum
Kruk & Papa: Playoff stretch is 'when you need your big leaders to shine'

Giants

LIVE: Cardinals vs Giants
Giants lineup: Pagan still leading off vs Cardinals
Mets star pitcher deGrom likely out for season with injury
Rewind: Smiling Posey leads Giants to another big win
Read More

Athletics

LIVE: A's vs Rangers
A's lineup: Wendle back to the top vs Rangers in Texas
Rewind: Identifying a 2017 closer is crucial task for A's
Instant Replay: Madson blows save, Rangers walk off on A's
Read More

Sharks

Team USA shut out in World Cup of Hockey opener vs Europe
Meier aims to 'steal someone's job' at Sharks training camp
Enjoy watching Sharks' Thornton while you still can
Schlemko gives Sharks blue line more mobility
Read More

49ers

NFL capsule: 49ers two touchdown dogs to Panthers
Eagles head coach would 'definitely' join team-wide protest
Brooks: 49ers defense is 'scary sight' for Panthers
After one game, ex-49ers punter owns two Panthers records
Read More

Raiders

NFL capsule: Raiders favored over Ryan, visiting Falcons
Tice, Raiders OL always ready for worst-case scenario
Top 5 storylines to watch in Falcons-Raiders Week 2 matchup
Sharper's Hall of Fame nomination causes national outcry
Read More

Warriors

Expect Curry more dangerous than ever with Durant on Warriors
Warriors' Kevin Durant spends evening with Giants
Warriors' Clark begins season in battle for more minutes
Warriors announce 2016 training camp roster, schedule
Read More

NCAA

Brady at the Big House as Michigan's honorary captain
Jennifer Azzi steps down as USF women's basketball coach
NCAA pulls championship events out of North Carolina
Ratto's Top 25: Giants' Casilla cracks list, closing in on Bama
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Cardinals vs Giants
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy: 'Dugout had some fun' with Posey after ending HR drought
Bochy: 'Dugout had some fun' with Posey after ending HR drought
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Smiling Posey leads Giants to another big win
  • Instant Replay: Giants' bats stay hot, Moore tames Cardinals
  • Giants notes: Defense provides boost during playoff chase
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: A's vs Rangers
CSN Bay Area staff

A's VIDEO

Morning After: Healy, Nunez give A's optimism for future
Morning After: Healy, Nunez give A's optimism for future
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Identifying a 2017 closer is crucial task for A's
  • Instant Replay: Madson blows save, Rangers walk off on A's
  • Rewind: By-the-numbers look at A's suddenly robust offense
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Team USA shut out in World Cup of Hockey opener vs Europe
(1)
Associated Press

SHARKS VIDEO

Beyond the Scoreboard digital exclusive: 1-on-1 with SAP CDO Jonathan Becher
Beyond the Scoreboard digital exclusive: 1-on-1 with SAP CDO Jonathan Becher
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Expect Curry more dangerous than ever with Durant on Warriors
(11)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Before Durant's first pitch, Span reluctantly reveals favorite NBA player
Before Durant's first pitch, Span reluctantly reveals favorite NBA player
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Rapinoe proves Kaepernick's message of equality for all
  • Kaepernick won't be last athlete to take stand against injustices
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

The Kings Insider Podcast with James Ham: Aaron Bruski
(1)
James Ham

Kings Video

Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

NFL capsule: 49ers two touchdown dogs to Panthers
(2)
Associated Press

49ers VIDEO

Miklasz: Win over Rams made 49ers everyone in St. Louis' favorite team
Miklasz: Win over Rams made 49ers everyone in St. Louis' favorite team
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Brooks: 49ers defense is 'scary sight' for Panthers
  • After one game, ex-49ers punter owns two Panthers records
  • 49ers sleep easy in preparations to face Panthers
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

NFL capsule: Raiders favored over Ryan, visiting Falcons
(1)
Associated Press

RAIDERS VIDEO

Bair: Importance of Mack going against Ryan, Falcons in Week 2
Bair: Importance of Mack going against Ryan, Falcons in Week 2
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Instant Replay: Quakes allow late goal, draw with Sounders
(2)
Julio Lara

More Stories

NWSL team takes step to prevent Rapinoe from 'hijacking' anthem
(14)
Earthquakes fall to C.F. Pachuca in International Friendly
(1)
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Identifying a 2017 closer is crucial task for A's
(4)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Smiling Posey leads Giants to another big win
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Brooks: 49ers defense is 'scary sight' for Panthers
(52)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Tice, Raiders OL always ready for worst-case scenario
(3)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Expect Curry more dangerous than ever with Durant on Warriors
(11)
See more >

JAMES HAM

The Kings Insider Podcast with James Ham: Aaron Bruski
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Meier aims to 'steal someone's job' at Sharks training camp
See more >

RAY RATTO

In Vin Scully's final game, Bruce Bochy will rip off his own head

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Bochy: 'Dugout had some fun' with Posey after ending HR drought
Bochy: 'Dugout had some fun' with Posey after ending HR drought
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California