Jerry Rice thinks Marvin Harrison is a Hall of Famer

This weekend, Hall of Fame voters will decide if Marvin Harrison finally gets to Canton, but one current member thinks he already belongs.

Former Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is eligible for the Hall of Fame once again this year. He’s had to “wait his turn” behind a logjam of other receivers who voters have deemed worthy of admittance. Today, Harrison got quite possibly the best endorsement possible.

Jerry Rice, also known as the greatest wide receiver of all-time, said he thinks Harrison belongs in the Hall of Fame. (Quotes via Mike Chappell’s piece at CBS 4)

"“I have a lot of respect for him,’’ said Rice. “I always loved Marvin. I really loved him. I don’t see why he isn’t going to get in.“I don’t know how they decide, but without a doubt he should be in the Hall of Fame. Hopefully he can get in because I feel like he really deserves to be the Hall of Fame.’’"

Among wide receivers, Harrison trails only Rice in receptions. Harrison is also seventh all time in receiving yardage and ninth in touchdowns. Throughout the majority of his career, Harrison trailed only Rice and often compared to the dominant receiver. Harrisons per game averages were actually better than Rice’s, but Harrison played for just 13 seasons compared to Rice’s unbelieveable 21.

Rice points to Harrison’s work ethic as the source of his success.

"“What I liked about Marvin Harrison was his work ethic,’’ Rice said. “All I know is you would see Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning out there before a game working on their game. The time that they would put in before a game was so important with the timing, getting to know each other, the body language.“It was the same thing with me with Joe Montana and Steve Young. They got to know my body language. They could tell when I was getting ready to come out of a certain route.’’"

Everyone seems to agree that Harrison should be in the Hall of Fame, but the wait list has gotten ridiculous. Harrison was a better receiver than Andre Reed or Tim Brown, who have gotten in over him the past two years. But now Harrison’s competition comes for Terrell Owens, who admittedly had a great career and deserves enshrinement, but not at the expense of Harrison waiting another year.

Harrison was an incredible talent, even at just 6-0 and 175-pounds.

"“They always talked about his size, that he wasn’t that big,’’ Rice said. “But when I had the opportunity to meet him, he was bigger than I thought he would be. It was like, ‘Why did they always say he was a small guy and didn’t have the quickness and all that?’ He did.“And I don’t know why the talked about him not being fast. He could come out of his cuts and he could run by people, he could set people.“Marvin Harrison did everything that a great receiver should be capable of doing.’’"

Harrison should finally punch his ticket to Canton this weekend, but it certainly doesn’t feel like a lock.