5 Reasons Why The Colts Marvin Harrison Belongs in Hall of Fame
Former Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison (right), talking with quarterback Peyton Manning after a December 2002 victory over the Cleveland Browns, is among 15 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2015. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Number 4: He’s Not the Only Wideout To Catch Footballs from a Hall of Fame Quarterback
Yes, Marvin Harrison had future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning throwing him footballs, who was arguably the greatest quarterback to play the position which made his life undeniably easier on the football field.
However did the Buffalo Bills Andre Reed not have Jim Kelly, who among his career accolades:
- 5x Pro Bowler
- 1x 1st-Team All-Pro
- 4x AFC Champion
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2002)
Did the Dallas Cowboys Michael Irvin not have Troy Aikman, who among his career accomplishments:
- 6x Pro Bowler
- 1x 1st-Team All-Pro
- 3x Super Bowl Champion
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006)
Heck, even Jerry Rice, the undisputed greatest wideout of all time and Hall of Fame inductee (2010) had largely a fellow Hall of Fame combination of Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing him the football for his wide receiver convenience. In fact, Montana like Manning could arguably be the greatest quarterback of all-time. It’s a quarterback duo who among their honors:
- 8x Pro Bowler
- 3x 1st-Team All-Pro
- 4x Super Bowl Champion
- 2x NFL MVP
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000)
- 7x Pro Bowler
- 3x First-Team All-Pro
- 3x Super Bowl Champion
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2005)
Certainly, Harrison was aided by having a great quarterback throwing him tight spirals. The 7-8 yard curl route that Harrison and Manning frequently ran was nearly unstoppable to defend. However, he was not alone among modern-day NFL Hall of Fame wideouts in having an elite quarterback throwing him passes. That shouldn’t be held against him by any means.