Two weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame released a list of 167 senior candidates for consideration for the Class of 2025 ballot.
Under the new format, three players from the list will be nominated as Hall of Fame candidates.
The list included 14 former New York Giants, including running back Ottis “OJ” Anderson, who we have long advocated for enshrining.
Anderson essentially had two careers, one with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1979 to 1986 and one with the Giants from 1986 to 1992.
During his time in St. Louis, Anderson exploded onto the scene with two monster Pro Bowl seasons on his way to becoming the Cardinals’ all-time leading rusher.
With the Giants, Anderson played a key role in two Super Bowl championship teams and Bill Parcells’ smashmouth offense.
It’s been 33 years since Anderson left the game, and many of his former opponents and teammates support him joining Canton.
Former Giants great Harry Carson, a Hall of Fame linebacker who played against and with Anderson, believes O.J. deserves to be enshrined.
“I think he’s one of the best running backs I’ve ever played against.” Carson told Steve Serby of the New York Post.. “I saw him get the ball and run backwards where he was supposed to run, but he gained yards on his own because he was running for his life. . . . He deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Lawrence Taylor, another great Giants linebacker, agrees. There is a player in Canton with less experience and a thinner resume than Anderson.
“I look at a lot of guys who are in the Hall of Fame right now and I’m like, ‘This guy’s not as good as O.J. Anderson,'” Taylor said. His stats said it all that day. ”
When Anderson retired in 1992, only seven players in NFL history had more rushing yards. He also scored touchdowns in both of the Giants’ Super Bowl wins and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI.
When players like Taylor and Carson speak, perhaps Hall voters should listen.
“I played against him, I played with him,” Taylor told Thurby. “He’s a hell of a player. When I was playing against him, he was one of those players you had to be careful about every time you played him.
“He had those little moves where he could jump from one gap to another. … He’s physical. … He’s not as fast as some running backs, but he’s 8 yards at a time, 7 yards at a time. And by the end of the fourth quarter, he’s tired of playing against OJ Anderson.”
Anderson is thankful for his old teammates coming to bat for him, as well as the fans of his former team, the Cardinals. Selby asked why he felt ignored.
“I think it’s because St. Louis left and I went to Arizona. Also, the people who had a voice when I was the No. 8 (all-time) rusher have passed away, so no one validates what I accomplished. I don’t think anyone is,” he said.
To this day, the Cardinals have yet to acknowledge Anderson’s contributions to the organization. Maybe if they step up and do that, Anderson’s profile will increase and more people will realize what a special player he is.
