Steve Hutchinson Making Hall of Fame and Not Alan Faneca Makes No Sense
By Jerry Trotta
On Saturday evening, the Pro Football Hall of Fame welcomed five modern-era inductees as part of the class of 2020. The star-studded list was led by Steelers safety Troy Polomalu, a first-ballot honoree who was joined by Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce, Steve Atwater, and Steve Hutchinson. However, the final honor roll did not arrive free of controversy.
All of those players were genuine superstars that deserve enshrinement in Canton, but one thing must be metnioned: if we're going to let Hutchinson in, it's simply wrong to leave fellow star offensive lineman Alan Faneca out. Period.
There are two Gs on the 2000s All-Decade team: Steve Hutchinson and Alan Faneca. Hutchinson is a 5x All-Pro and lost a SB; Faneca a 6x All-Pro who won that same SB, springing a 75yd TD. Hutchinson was just elected into @ProFootballHOF. That means Faneca has to be next, right?
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) February 2, 2020
It's more than clear to anyone who saw Faneca play that only handful of offensive linemen matched his level of greatness at any point during his 13-year career. The former Steelers world-beater was a six-time Pro Bowler and nine-time All-Pro. Hutchinson, while a terrific player, was named to seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams. Hutch deserves to be in Canton -- which means that Faneca undoubtedly, absolutely deserves it.
His case ought to speak for itself.
Faneca was a member of the Hall of Fame's (!) All-Decade Team of the 2000s, and even won Super Bowl XL with Pittsburgh alongside the aforementioned Polamalu. For the record, Hutchinson never once hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
How is Alan Faneca not in?!? If someone can explain a solid reason, I’d love to hear it. https://t.co/lLm0evpNyY
— Nick Mangold (@nickmangold) February 1, 2020
Thoughout the ongoing Hall of Fame debate, any discussion of stats and accolades inevitably works in Faneca's favor. We all know that the best ability is availability, especially for an offensive lineman, and Faneca appeared in 206 out of a possible 224 games in his 13 seasons in the NFL. Hutchinson missed 23 games in his 11 campaigns by compairosn. Both were undoubtedly iron men, but Faneca's figures, once again, are just a pinch better.
In truth, nothing more needs to be said. This isn't about cutting Hutchinson down to size; far from it. He's a worthy Hall of Famer. But to see him headed to football's promised land while Alan Faneca is forced to keep waiting just doesn't add up. The voters need to hurry up and fix this no later than next year.