Is Vince Wilfork a Hall of Famer?
Welcome to Boston.com’s Sports Q, our daily conversation, initiated by you and moderated by Chad Finn, about a compelling topic in Boston sports. Here’s how it works: You submit questions to Chad through Twitter, Facebook, email, his Friday chat, and any other outlet you prefer. He’ll pick one each day (except for Saturday) to answer, then we’ll take the discussion to the comments. Chad will stop by several times per day to navigate. But you drive the conversation.Think Vince Wilfork has a shot at the Hall of Fame? – Jim B.
Well, he’s a lock for the Patriots Hall of Fame, so get that size XXXXXXL red jacket ready now. Given that he announced his retirement Monday with a sponsored tweet from Kingsford Charcoal, that induction ceremony should turn into the best tailgate in Gillette Stadium history.
As for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I think he has a pretty good shot. His stats and accolades aren’t spectacular — five Pro Bowls, one All-Pro selection, 16 sacks in 189 games. But he wasn’t here to accumulate stats. He was here to accumulate blockers, allowing his teammates to make plays.
There are few defensive linemen in the last couple of decades who have played that role as well. He was the fulcrum of the Patriots’ defense, winning Super Bowls in his first and last seasons in New England. When this era is over, there will be players whose historical reputations are enhanced by being a part of this, and it will help their Hall of Fame cases. Wilfork is at the top of the list.
He’s no lock to get in, and I can never guess what that petty little cabal of Hall of Fame writers is going to do. But he’s going to have a real chance, and to actually answer the question, I say he gets in.
But what do you guys say? Will Vince Wilfork make the Hall of Fame? I’ll see you in the comments.
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