SAN FRANCISCO -- Former Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler is a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s been here before, as a finalist in 1990, ’91 and 2003.
His best shot comes Saturday in San Francisco, when the selection committee votes on this year’s finalists. Stabler is in a better spot as a senior committee nominee. Those nominees are A) voted upon independent of modern-era finalists, and B) are typically confirmed by an 80-percent approval rate from a yes or no vote.
Many believe Stabler belongs in the Hall of Fame. His best years came with the Raiders, whom he led to a Super Bowl XI victory and represented during an MVP season in 1974. His candidacy has fallen on deaf ears for years, but an appreciation for his career renewed after he died on July 8, 2015 due to complications of colon cancer.
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His biggest supporters have tried to build on that momentum by sending out a fake legal brief outlining reasons why he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Stabler’s family approved the information circulated to the press on Wednesday afternoon.
Frank Cooney, the Oakland representative on the Hall of Fame selection committee, compiled the information in large part. Cooney will speak on Stabler’s behalf during the Saturday meeting as he has done successfully for receiver Tim Brown and punter Ray Guy in recent seasons.
Cooney said the brief, meant to be playful while loaded with information supporting Stabler’s candidacy -- the Raiders started legal action against the NFL more than once -- was sent to the 46 voting members of the committee.
Here is the support brief in its entirety:
