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It was a fun-filled evening for the NFL on Saturday. The night before Super Bowl XLVII, the league announced the awards for the 2012-13 season, as well as this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
This weekend has been bittersweet for some, especially guys like Charles Haley. On the first weekend of February, Haley saw his Hall of Fame hopes denied again, but will have a chance to see his former team bring home a sixth Lombardi Trophy when the 49ers face the Ravens.
at an event w Charles Haley & I detect no HOF bitterness whatsoever. I mentioned his 5 SB rings. He smiled. "Hope I brought more than that."
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 3, 2013
Haley was a featured defender on multiple championship winning teams. The former 49ers and Cowboys lineman finished his career with five Super Bowl rings, two All-Pro selections and 100.5 sacks.
A Virginia native and James Madison University alum, Haley was a model of productivity at the pro level, and one of the most polished players in NFL history. There is no doubt that Haley belongs in Canton; the question is, when? One could argue that he could have subbed in for Bill Parcells, but that's neither here nor there.
Unfortunately for his legacy, he will have to wait at least another year for a chance to be enshrined.