Frontpage Features

BY RON BARR

The National Football League Hall of Fame has ushered in seven deserving new members.  Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Floyd Little, Ricky Jackson, Russ Grim, Dick Lebeau and John Randle have joined the pantheon of great NFL players, coaches, owners and contributors.

During Jerry Rice's induction speech he talked about his Dad's work ethic and how it drove him to excel in all that he did, especially football.  And, Rice confirmed that in truly great athletes, and him in particular, "the fear of failure" motivated him further to become the greatest receiver the NFL has seen.  He talked about playing with fellow Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young, and how coach Bill Walsh was both a teacher and a father figure to him.  And, he expressed his gratitude for playing for a 49er organization that personified professionalism, class and a winning attitude.  One that led him to winning three Super Bowl Championships and the organization to five titles in twelve years.

Rice also made a pitch for the Hall of Fame to right a wrong.  To do so, Rice urged them to vote former 49er owner Eddie DeBartolo into the Hall of Fame.  DeBartolo is deserving and contributed to the game and the NFL as much as any other owner already in Canton.  DeBartolo changed and enhanced the game as much as enshrined owners George Halas, Paul Brown, Lamar Hunt, Charles Bidwell, Wellington Mara and Art and Dan Rooney.  The DeBartolo funded 49ers organization, along with Bill Walsh's "West Coast" offense, changed the way the game was played.  DeBartolo's "family" orientation and his willingness to pay for talent raised the competitive level across the league.  His commitment to take care of his players needs and the needs of their families was unique to pro football at the time, but now has become today's standard.  And, the organization's on-field record of five Super Bowl Championships in twelve years may never be matched.  His ownership record is equal to other owners who are already in the Hall of Fame, and it speaks for itself.

Why then isn't DeBartolo in the Hall?  He made a mistake in judgment.  He was found guilty of failing to report an extortion attempt by the Governor of Louisiana.  A foolish thing to do, but not one that should keep him from being acknowledged and honored for all he did for the game and the NFL.  There is no such thing as a perfect game, or a perfect person.  But on balance, his accomplishments and contributions to the NFL more than outweigh his mistake, a mistake that didn't harm the game or the integrity of the National Football League.

Another possible reason for not being inducted could be retribution for raising the bar on players' salaries.  He paid top dollar to his players and the 49er bench players were often paid more than the starters on other teams.  DeBartolo believed that if you were going to win Championships you had to have quality depth on your roster, and to get quality you had to pay for it.  Class, quality and winning was his and the 49ers organization's philosophy.  A philosophy that led to success on the field and respect and admiration across all of sports.  DeBartolo doesn't deserve petty retribution for how he and the 49ers developed their winning ways.

Another subtle reason DeBartolo should be in the Hall of Fame is what he did for San Francisco.  He brought the Bay area together again during a difficult time.  San Francisco had suffered through the Jonestown massacre and the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and city Supervisor Harvey Milk.  The social and political atmosphere was tense and fragile, but through DeBartolo's efforts in rebuilding a downtrodden team and a pitiful organization, and Bill Walsh's astute drafting of players and creative, winning performances, the team won the first of five NFL Championships that helped heal the social divisions and pain of the Bay area.  That in itself should erase anyone's negative judgment of his worthiness for the Hall of Fame, or for any mistake in judgment he made during his 49ers ownership.

Enough time has passed since DeBartolo turned his team over to his sister, Denise DeBartolo-York and her family, that a fair and impartial evaluation can be made about DeBartolo's contributions to pro football and his role in the organizations' success.  The pluses far outnumber any negatives.  His record speaks for itself.  It's time for the NFL Hall of Fame to do the right thing.