Former Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday.
Former Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger is the latest Redskin to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hanburger was voted in as a senior candidate, 32 years after the outside linebacker retired. Hanburger played 14 seasons for the Redskins, making the Pro Bowl nine times and winning the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 1972 when Washington made it to the Super Bowl.
In the 1970s, Hanburger was part of George Allen’s “Over the Hill Gang,” a group of veterans who led the Redskins to five playoff appearances and seven winning seasons in a row from 1971 to 1977.
Hanburger intercepted 19 passes in his career, returning two for touchdowns, and recovered 17 fumbles, returning three for scores. He was named All-Pro four times.
Hanburger becomes the fourth Redskin in the last four years to make it to Canton, Ohio. Last year, guard Russ Grimm made it to Canton. Two years ago, receiver Art Monk and cornerback Darrell Green were enshrined.
Hanburger, like Monk and Grimm, was a humble player who did not promote his accomplishments during or after his career.
Modesty may have hurt them in being overlooked for the Hall for a number of years. Like Monk (inducted in his eighth year of eligibility) and Grimm (inducted in his 14th year of eligibility), Hanburger was bypassed for many years, making it 27 years after he was first eligible.
Is there an anti-Redskins bias that prevents players from making the Hall of Fame in favor of players from Pittsburgh and Dallas?
There are many other Redskins who should be in the Hall of Fame and others who at least deserve consideration. Click here to read the rest of my article on Examiner.com to find out which other Redskins may belong in Canton, Ohio.
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