Raiders: Tom Flores Hall of Fame wait might be nearing its end
By Justin Fried
Raiders’ legend Tom Flores has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
The wait for Raiders‘ legend Tom Flores may be nearing its end. The legendary coach was announced as the lone coach finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 by the Hall of Fame’s senior committee on Tuesday.
And if reports are to be believed, he stands a really good chance at getting in this time.
Flores was up for induction as both a modern-era finalist in 2019 and the Hall of Fame’s special centennial class earlier in 2020. But both times, the committee ultimately passed on him.
It was a sign of disrespect that Raiders faithful didn’t take kindly too.
Flores will need 80 percent of the vote from the Hall of Fame’s 48-member selection committee in order to be inducted when the voters meet a day before the Super Bowl, February 6th, 2021.
And as John McClain of the Houston Chronicle puts it, Flores and fellow nominee Drew Pearson are “just about guaranteed” to be inducted.
McClain is a part of the 48-person committee that chose Flores and Pearson — a longtime Dallas Cowboys wide receiver — as finalists and he claims that “the committee almost always approves the nominees.”
If that’s the case, Flores might finally receive his well-deserved induction.
Raiders’ legend Tom Flores has a resume that speaks for itself.
The 83-year-old coached the Raiders from 1979 to 1987 winning two Super Bowls during his time with the organization. He became the first minority coach to win a Super Bowl and during his nine-year playing career, he was the first Hispanic starting quarterback in NFL history.
Moreover, his 83 wins rank second in franchise history only to the legendary John Madden. And among coaches who have appeared in at least 10 playoff games, only the great Vince Lombardi has a higher postseason winning percentage (.900) than Flores’ (.727).
It’s safe to say that his induction is long overdue.
From guys like Cliff Branch to Jim Plunkett, the Raiders’ organization is no stranger to legends being snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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But at the very least, if Flores finally gets in after all these years, Raiders fans can feel some sort of vengeance.
Fingers crossed.