Hall of Fame Nominees Profile: John Randle

John Randle-Minnesota Vikings/Seattle Seahawks-Texas A&I-1990-2003


I kinda understand why he isn’t in already, however that doesn’t mean it should have happened. In his first year of eligibility, he was competing for votes with the all-time sacks leader Bruce Smith, senior committee nominee Claude Humphrey, fellow dominant defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy and pass-rushing demon linebacker Derrick Thomas. With only five spots available for the modern-era candidates and the prevailing theory that no more than two at a position (in this case, pass-rushers) should be inducted in any given class, there was only a slim chance that he would be inducted in that particular class. The main part of this reasoning that I find to fail is that you could only put in at most 2 persons at any position or specialty at one time. Those players who aren’t going in are no better later than they are now. Regardless, as the man who sacked the quarterback more than any other player at the defensive tackle position (137.5), he is an obvious Hall of Famer. A member of the 1990s All-Decade team, seven time Pro Bowler and six time All-Pro, Randle recorded double digit sacks (including a league leading 15.5 in 1997) nine times (including an eight season streak of double digit sacks between 1992 and 1999). These are excellent numbers for a defensive tackle whose main job is normally to stop the running game. The main points of his career that would hurt his chances is the fact that he was a bit of a character. He was known for how much “barking” he did during the course of the game. However, in watching the videos, he was much like Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary and future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. He talks to help vent his intensity and passion for the game. Another point that hurts his cause is the lack of championship, meaning Super Bowl. Again, this is a poor argument because football is a team game. He will likely get into the hall soon and he better. His numbers speak for themselves.