Back in January I wrote a blog with essentially the same title about Richard Seymour, but unfortunately he was not inducted into Canton this year. Although he earn a red jacket as a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.
(swag hat) Image Source
With the NFL set to announce semifinalists for the 2022 Hall of Fame class tomorrow, today, former Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli released an article on NFL.com about Rodney Harrison's Hall of Fame credentials. My man brought the receipts!! Watch out on John Lynch (who was NOT on my 2021 HOF Ballot) you're about to catch some ricochets!
It's a quick read that does a great job breaking down Rodney's stats, and lack of recognition with Pro Bowls and All-Pros compared to 2021 HOFer John Lynch. Despite playing 38 fewer career games than Lynch, Rodney finished his career with more sacks, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns.
Scott Pioli is well-respected around football circles, blah, blah, blah, but that dude is vanilla wallpaper boring and does not move the needle like the greatest quarterback of all time. His article started the conversation, but Brady's seal of approval should be like an Oprah Book club sticker endorsement for Rodney's case.
I haven't had a chance to watch the new episode of Man in the Arena yet, but with it being 2003 focused, there's going to be plenty of Rodney coverage. After this blog, I'm calling it a night from writing, packing a fat Super bowl, and taking a trip down XXXVIII lane.
With only two career Pro Bowls and three All-Pro seasons, Rodney might not seem like a Hall of Famer at first glance, but his actual stats and accomplishments speak much louder than the Pro Bowl popularity contest. As Scott said, he's one of only two players in NFL history with at least 30 interceptions AND sacks, and he was the first player to cross that threshold. Sure, he did HGH in 2007, but everybody in the NFL is on something; this isn't baseball, nobody really cares. I think Rodney's demeanor on the field, association with the Patriots, and "wasted" years on last place Charger teams have cost him to this point, but when you look at the numbers, and on the field impact, Rodney is a clear cut HOFer. He was a guy that opponents feared and game-planned around. It's a semi-cherry picked stat, but Rodney Harrison is the last player to record multiple interceptions in the Super Bowl (2 vs. the Eagles in SB XXXIX). Rodney played hard and left it all on the field. Maybe being on the wrong side of the luckiest play in NFL history has cost him to this point? 
Maybe it's my inner child of divorce speaking, but I love seeing Brady show love to former Patriots. It's such a weird situation because even though he's in Tampa, he's ours, and he'll always be ours. Once he retires in 2-9 years, we all know that he'll likely be affiliated with the Pats somehow. We all saw his post gamer after "the return." I'm a support my friends and show love guy, so seeing Brady do the same warms my clogged heart. I want to see him continue to support his teammates because it can't hurt their case and helps heal the "I still can't believe Brady is on the fucking Tampa Bay Buccaneers" wound. #FOREVERAPATRIOT.
There are not many people on this planet with a higher football IQ than Tom Brady. If he thinks you belong in Canton, that should be good enough for the Hall. I'd love to see him do the same for Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins. If Welker made that catch against the Giants on a slightly overthrown ball, I'd add him to the list too.
P.S.
When I was at Gillette for Brady's return, Rodney was outside of the stadium doing a segment with NBC and there had to a couple hundred people chanting "Rodney, Rodney, Rodney," and it was awesome. You'd love to see his colleague Tony Dungy pump his HOF tires too. Sure, I'm biased and love Rodney, but that doesn't change that fact he deserves a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio. 
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