The path to football immortality just got even harder for one of the Miami Dolphins’ long overlooked legends
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has overhauled their process of picking a class of inductees and it’s not good news for former Miami Dolphins OT Richmond Webb.
When the Miami Dolphins last put a former player into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was a major cause for celebration. Linebacker Zach Thomas had been knocking on the door for several seasons before finally getting the call.
Once Thomas went in? The hopes for a new Miami Dolphin to achieve football immortality turned to legendary QB Dan Marino’s blindside protector — OT Richmond Webb. Webb was a top-10 draft choice in 1990. He played 184 total games, 164 of them across 11 seasons with the Dolphins. On the way, Webb earned 7 Pro Bowl nods and four All-Pros. In short, Webb was stellar in Miami. But his Hall of Fame prospects have been a tease. And amid changes in Canton, things won’t be getting any easier.
Former Miami Dolphins OT Richmond Webb’s outlook for the Pro Football Hall of Fame looks more challenging than ever amid changes
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has eliminated the “Senior” category for nominees. That former bucket of inductees was for any player that was retired for 25+ years. Webb last played in the NFL in 2002 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He formally retired in 2005, which means he was right on the doorstep of converting from being a standard nomination to qualifying for the Senior group. Now, Webb’s going to need to continue to have to compete against new retirees for a chance at an induction into the Hall of Fame.
That’s not going to help. There’s a chance the changes to the panel of voters doesn’t help, either. The Pro Football Hall of Fame used to have a media representative for every market with a team. That’s being shuttered, too. The voting panel will be cut nearly in half, from 50 to 28.
Webb was placed in the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll 20 years ago this season. That’s the greatest career achievement honor he’s gotten thus far. And now, thanks to some changes at the Hall, his road to gathering the ultimate honor appears more challenging than ever — despite being a worthy candidate.
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