The Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s class of 2024 will formally be inducted on Aug. 3.
With lower than a month till the annual occasion in Canton, Ohio, we’re inspecting which gamers — previous and current — on the league’s 32 groups we expect will at some point obtain the same honor.
Listed here are three Detroit Lions who ought to ultimately obtain soccer immortality:
Defensive finish Al Baker
Maybe the one factor protecting Baker out of Canton is file protecting. Sadly for three-time Professional Bowler, his most compelling argument, sacks, did not grow to be an official stat till 1982.
Baker had 65.5 unofficial sacks over his first 4 seasons within the NFL, however counting these earlier than 1982, he recorded 131 all through a 13-year profession. Now, 34 years since hanging up his cleats for good, solely 20 players have recorded extra sacks, with all however 4 receiving a gold jacket.
In 1978, Baker earned Defensive Rookie of the Yr honors, posting 23 sacks, a file that has but to be surpassed. He additionally recorded double-digit sacks six occasions and led the league twice (1978, 1980).
Baker’s resume might not be as sturdy as others, however his physique of labor, which has held up in opposition to others for many years, makes him worthy of consideration.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford
For a time, Stafford was a fringe Corridor of Famer. However lastly lifting the Lombardi Trophy in 2022, albeit with the Los Angeles Rams and never the Lions, could possibly be sufficient to get him over the hump.
If a Tremendous Bowl victory will not do the trick, maybe his numbers will.
Heading into the 2024 marketing campaign, Stafford ranks eleventh all-time in cross completions (4,834), passing yards (56,047) and touchdowns (357.) Of the 10 names with more in each category, solely Aaron Rodgers remains to be energetic, that means he nonetheless has time to climb up a listing that features Corridor of Famers Dan Marino, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, together with a slew of shoo-ins like Drew Brees and Tom Brady.
Huge receiver Herman Moore
Moore hasn’t performed in over 20 years, and the ability of time has seemingly washed away a few of his accomplishments. Nonetheless, over an 11-year profession, few rivaled his manufacturing.
A four-time Professional Bowler and three-time All-Professional, Moore ranks 84th in touchdowns (62), seventieth in receiving yards (9,174) and 67th in receptions (670). However, from 1991-02, solely four receivers posted the identical output or higher, together with Terrance Mathis and Corridor of Famers Cris Carter, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice.
In the meantime, Moore believes he is Canton-worthy.
“Do I feel I deserve it? Sure!” Moore said in a 2022 interview with the Detroit Lions Podcast.
