Is former Philadelphia Eagles star Darren Sproles hall-of-fame worthy?
Chip Kelly didn’t do much right as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, but now and then, one can look back and see that there were occasions where he hit the nail on the head. He drafted Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson, and Nelson Agholor, and though Nelly may not be the most beloved Eagle of all time, you have to admit. You can’t tell the story about that Super Bowl win without bringing him up.
There’s another name that you have to mention when we discuss Eagles football during that era, Darren Sproles. Like Ertz, Lane, and Nelly, he was one of the decent decisions that Chip Kelly made. Now, it would have been nice if Philly would have kept DeSean Jackson that same season, but that’s another tale for another time.
The point is this. Darren Sproles is one of the most polarizing Birds of two different coaching eras, Chip’s and Doug Pederson’s, so much so that Philly has been looking for the ‘next Darren Sproles’ ever since. Ladies and gents, no disrespect to Boston Scott, but he isn’t close.
The question is this. Is Darren Sproles a hall-of-fame worthy? He’s one of the greatest all-purpose backs to ever play the game. He’s also owed another Pro Bowl nod for one of those years he shared with Drew Brees in New Orleans, but though we can debate whether or not he deserves a spot in Canton, we’ve learned recently that the National Football Foundation will include him in their 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class.
The former Philadelphia Eagles star gets some well-deserved shine.
Darren Sproles joins ten football greats as he joins the collegiate level’s version of football immortality. Here’s a list of the other young men who will be enshrined. Harris Barton from UNC and fellow ACC legend C.J. Spiller (Clemson) are on the list as is Al Wilson (Vols), Tony Romo (Eastern Illinois), Kenneth Sims (Texas), Carson Palmer (USC), David Fulcher (Arizona State), and Dan Morgan.
Aaron Taylor (Notre Dame) and Andre Tippett (Iowa) received nods as well. Rudy Hubbard (Florida A&M) and Bob Stoops made the list as coaches. That’s a nice list that’s full of guys we’d line up and play anybody with if they were on our roster. Here’s a quote from Archie Manning. He’s the NFF Chairman and a member of the 1989 class.
"We are extremely proud to announce the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class. Each of these men has established himself among the absolute best to have ever played or coached the game, and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments."
Sproles’ induction should come as no surprise as he earned First-team All-American and First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2003. He also earned two Second-team All-Big 12 nods, one in 2002 and another in 2004.
As a pro, he’s a Super Bowl champion with Philly, a three-time Pro Bowl nod (2014–2016), a two-time First-team All-Pro (2014, 2015) that earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2014. he’s also a two-time member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. He deserves this honor and much more. We’ll see if canton comes calling one day.