Friends of Stephen Einspanier will admit 鈥 in front of Einspanier, even 鈥 that to be included in one of his text message chains can be both a blessing and a curse. You will be entertained. You also might be overwhelmed.
Einspanier鈥檚 old Mizzou Phi Kappa Theta fraternity brothers from St. 不良研究所导航网址 are used to receiving his unsolicited hot takes on just about every sports topic, and often the text thread becomes a flurry of counters to his half-cooked theories. But when he threw out a question to his crew early this year, there was no good reason to dismiss it. Instead it got others wondering the exact same thing. The topic stuck, and after it was watered with a few cold ones when the guys next got together, it began to grow.
Why isn鈥檛, Einspanier wondered to his pals, St. 不良研究所导航网址 football Cardinals great Ottis Anderson, the running back they all loved to see play while growing up watching and attending Big Red games, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
People are also reading…
鈥淲e just drilled down on the numbers,鈥 Einspanier said. 鈥淭his became a passion for me.鈥
Let鈥檚 just say the movement left the group chat long ago. There鈥檚 a logo on polo shirts and hats. There鈥檚 an online petition, . There鈥檚 an official name 鈥 The OJ HOF Train 鈥 and an open invitation for any interested passengers to climb aboard.
There鈥檚 also a very appreciative Ottis 鈥淥.J.鈥 Anderson.
鈥淚 just figured I would take the approach of, if it happens, it happens,鈥 Anderson said. 鈥淚 stopped paying attention to it. And then, Steve. I don鈥檛 know how he got my number, but he did. He watched me play when he was younger. He said he wanted to advocate for me. I said, 鈥楪o for it. Can鈥檛 hurt.鈥 But to go to the extent they have gone to? This little train has picked up speed.鈥
Anderson and Einspanier are pals now. Anderson even invited the OJ HOF Train guys to New Jersey for his charity golf outing this year. The special guests received a standing ovation.
Broadcaster Joe Buck now has advocated for Anderson. Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor was just interviewed by the New York Post and The movement has the backing of Jackie Smith, Dan Dierdorf, Johnny Roland, Harry Carson, Ed 鈥淭oo Tall鈥 Jones, Jim Kelly, Roy Green, Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, the St. 不良研究所导航网址 Sports commission and others.
Hall of Famer Jackie Smith, the father-in-law of OJ HOF Train member Brad Yarbrough, personally delivered a packet of information to Canton. The panel of decision makers in charge of the Hall of Fame鈥檚 senior circuit has been given a lot to consider.
Anderson, the No. 8 draft pick out of Miami in 1979, was the NFL鈥檚 rookie of the year and an All-Pro selection that first season, debuting with 1,605 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns (eight rushing, two receiving). He was the comeback player of the year in 1989. He was a Super Bowl MVP (XXV) and a two-time Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV).
Hall of Famers Joe Perry, Earl Campbell, Jim Taylor, Larry Csonka, Terrell Davis and more can鈥檛 match Anderson鈥檚 career rushing total of 10,273 yards.
Hall of Famers Edgerrin James, Earl Campbell, Leroy Kelly, Joe Perry, Steve Van Buren, Thurman Thomas, Larry Csonka, Lenny Moore, O.J. Simpson and more can鈥檛 match his career rushing touchdown total of 81.
Today, Anderson still ranks 30th in career rushing yards and 20th in rushing touchdowns. And when he retired? He ranked eighth and seventh, respectively, in those same categories.
鈥淚t wakes you up,鈥 Anderson said, who felt pride when he reviewed the evidence. 鈥淚t makes you go, 鈥榃hat they heck are they looking at?鈥欌
Through 14 seasons and 182 games between his time with the Cardinals and Giants, Anderson鈥檚 shapeshifting career from speedy back to power runner secured six 1,000-yard seasons. Only Walter Payton rushed for more yards than Anderson during a career鈥檚 first six seasons. Anderson is in the New York Giants ring of honor and remains the Cardinals鈥 franchise leader in rushing yards, by more than 3,000 yards.
鈥淭he numbers should speak for themselves,鈥 OJ HOF Train member Dan Cox said. 鈥淎nd they haven鈥檛.鈥
At least not yet.
Last year, Anderson became a semifinalist on the senior circuit. This year he once again was one of nearly 200 senior nominees for Canton. When that list got cut to 60 this week, he made it. But only three senior candidates will become this year鈥檚 finalists. OJ HOF Train member Tony Floretta is planning to host a February fundraiser in St. 不良研究所导航网址 for Anderson鈥檚 charity. The hope is it can double as a Hall of Fame celebration. If not, those conducting this train say it won鈥檛 stop until there is good news.
鈥淪teve and his guys are making a valid point,鈥 Anderson said. 鈥淭hey have to at least look now.鈥