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Former Raiders DE Lyle Alzado’s Case for the Hall of Fame

By Mario Tovar

Oct 29, 2016; London, United Kingdom; General view of Super Bowl XVIII ring to commemorate the Los Angeles Raiders 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium on January 22, 1984 on display at the NFL International Series fan rally at the Victoria House. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; London, United Kingdom; General view of Super Bowl XVIII ring to commemorate the Los Angeles Raiders 38-9 victory over the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium on January 22, 1984 on display at the NFL International Series fan rally at the Victoria House. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stating the case for former Raiders defensive end Lyle Alzado to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In the spirit of the recent Baseball Hall of Fame announcements — which once again will not include Barry Bonds — I felt it was a good time to revisit the Hall of Fame conundrum of one of the greatest Raiders of all time, Lyle Alzado.

As a major contributor in one of the greatest eras in Raiders’ history, Alzado helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory, recording impressive stats along the way. Despite his repuation as a dirty player, Alzado was known off the field as a genuinely good person — his charity work demonstrates that. But on the gridiron, Alzado was the perfect antagonist and one of the first major American sports figures to bring steroids to the limelight.

Yet, ironically, for being the “first” to come out on performance enhancing drugs, Lyle’s legacy paid the ultimate price — he’s been erased from the NFL’s memory like a stain on someone’s carpet. Regardless of his contributions on the field, Alzado has long been forgotten about, and that is something that does not sit well with many Raider fans.

We live in a sports era right now that is full of hypocrisy that exists at all levels, and of the biggest issues is the recognition of past players and their respective achievements and contributions. There’s no sport anymore, especially the NFL, that can claim it’s free of steroids or performance enhancers. The advancements made in this regard in the last 40 years that allow players to heal faster and keep playing into their older years, all while maintaining their performances at a high level.

So while the NFL has tried to discredit athletes such as Alzado, or Bonds in baseball, while others are enshrined or are allowed to continue to flourish presently is a deceitful sham. By no means do I claim or think “everyone” has used such substances, but at the same time, to argue it’s a minority that has used them since Alzado’s death in 1992 would be quite naïve.

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After helping turn around two losing franchises in Cleveland and Denver — something he does not get credit for at all — Alzado was seen as an outcast and someone unable to perform at a high level anymore. It wasn’t until he was given an opportunity by Al Davis when he would truly be appreciated and accepted.

Under the ownership of Davis, the Raiders became an island of misfit toys, filled with players seeking a second or third chances, players who were seen as too “old”, and players whose personality maybe didn’t fit quite well with the “mold” many NFL teams had. Alzado fit right in.

Alongside players like Howie Long, Ted Hendricks, and Rod Martin, the Raiders were led to another Super Bowl victory — the first and only one for Alzado. Finishing his career in Los Angeles with a resume compromising of 112 career sacks, 20 fumble recoveries, 3 safeties, a 2-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All-Pro, and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1982, Alzado put together quite the career.

And yet, like many of his brethren, he’s been denied entry into the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately for Alzado, he not only was he a Raider, but a Raider who used steroids.

The accomplishments of players such as Alzado and Bonds cannot simply be erased or ignored by their respective leagues because let’s not kid ourselves — these men helped make a lot of money and generated a lot of interest for their respective leagues due to their accomplishments.

Being flawed human beings is not an excuse, but at the same time, these athletes were fierce competitors trying to stay relevant in a world that chews you up and spits you out once you can no longer contribute.

Next: Raiders 7-Round Mock Draft

The way I see it, and this is just one person’s opinion, either you recognize and enshrine players because of their accomplishments or don’t induct anyone, plain and simple.

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