NFC North: The Biggest Hall of Fame Snub for Each Team

People talk about the NFC North being the quarterbacks division these days, but facts are facts. Few divisions have been defined more by great defense.

This is explained through the list of top candidates from each team who’ve been snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Every single position on defense is represented from the front to the linebackers to the secondary. It’s such a fitting tribute to what is affectionately referred to as the “Black and Blue” division. Few groups of teams make that side of the ball more fun to watch.

So who among the long list of defensive standouts who donned the respective colors have the biggest ax to grind with the Canton voters? Be prepared for a couple surprises, not to mention some genuine old school names that modern fans have remained ignorant of for far too long.

Detroit Lions: Alex Karras (DT)

Proof that making the Hall of Fame is sometimes a popularity contest. There have been so many players over the years who went against Alex Karras that said he was the most dominant defensive tackle of his era. In fact the Hall of Fame already made him a member of the 1960s All-Decade team. So how is he not in Canton after being a fixture on arguably the best defense of those years? Namely by being a pain in the rear end. Karras was known for not always going by the rules, being suspended for a year due to gambling at one point. He angered the league office and coaches alike. One can’t do that and expect the red carpet to get rolled out.

Minnesota Vikings: Bobby Bryant (CB)

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Being forgotten is nothing new for Bobby Bryant. He made a career out of it. He was a lowly 7th round pick out of South Carolina. He also had the misfortune of playing in the same secondary as all-time interceptions leader Paul Krause. Nevermind most of the focus on that Purple People Eaters defense going to the defensive line. How else does one explain a cornerback collecting 51 interceptions in his career and somehow only going to two Pro Bowls? It just doesn’t feel right.

Green Bay Packers: LeRoy Butler (S)

It may have been about Brett Favre in the 1990s for the Green Bay Packers, but they wouldn’t have been as dominant as they were in those days without a great defense. Reggie White was the ringleader but one of their best playmakers was safety LeRoy Butler. He was among the most versatile players of his time. Not only did he have 38 career interceptions, he also notched 20.5 sacks. He was among the first safeties who helped bring about the popularity of the zone blitz. A four-time Pro Bowler, he helped them with the Super Bowl in 1996.

Chicago Bears: Joe Fortunato (LB)

There are plenty of deserving candidates for Chicago. Offensive linemen from the 1980s Jay Hilgenberg and Jimbo Covert top the list. However, it’s so easy to overlook how superb Joe Fortunato was for a long time. Some might call him the Lance Briggs of his day. He would’ve been THE star for almost any other defense but he had the misfortune to play alongside an all-timer in Bill George his entire career. Fortunato was a stud, going to five Pro Bowls, intercepting 16 passes, recovering 22 fumbles and was a key part of the 1963 Bears championship defense.

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