Is Willie Anderson Being Held Back from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Due to Position Bias?

As the Pro Football Hall of Fame prepares to enshrine its Class of 2024, Willie Anderson finds himself once again just shy of induction. Despite being a modern-era finalist for three consecutive years, the former Vigor High School and Auburn standout remains on the outside looking in.

Could the bias against right tackles be hindering Anderson's chances?

Anderson's career as a right offensive tackle spanned from 1996 to 2007 with the Cincinnati Bengals and a final season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. The last right tackle to make it to the Hall of Fame was Jackie Slater, inducted in 2001 after a stellar 20-year career and on his first ballot.

Since Slater’s induction, seven offensive tackles have joined the Hall, all playing left tackle. These include notable names like Gary Zimmerman, Willie Roaf, Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, Orlando Pace, Tony Boselli, and Joe Thomas.

During an interview on FanDuel TV’s “Up and Adams,” Anderson discussed the media's preference for left tackles, historically seen as more crucial due to the "blind side" concept popularized by the film.

“They didn’t understand that the guys we blocked over there were some of the best rushers of all time,” Anderson said. “The whole blind-side thing got taken out because of the movie. The right-side guys got pushed away… If the right tackle wasn’t important, then why do (Michael) Strahan and Reggie White have all these damn sacks? I think the media sees it now. The rushers can come from anywhere, and both tackles now are just as important.”

During Anderson’s career, the Associated Press All-Pro team didn’t distinguish between left and right tackles. Out of 15 first-team All-Pro selections from 1996 to 2008, only four were right tackles, with Anderson earning the honor three times.

Notably, six of the seven left tackles who were first-team All-Pro during Anderson's career have since been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Anderson aspires to pave the way for more right tackles, like current Philadelphia Eagles star Lane Johnson, to receive Hall of Fame recognition.

“It would mean a lot because a lot of guys are betting on it,” Anderson said. “Lane Johnson is waiting. He tells me that every year.”

The Class of 2024 inductees includes defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, returner/wide receiver Devin Hester, wide receiver Andre Johnson, defensive tackle Steve McMichael, defensive end Julius Peppers, and linebacker Patrick Willis.

Gradishar and McMichael were considered by the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee, while the remaining five players came from the modern-era ballot, which started with 173 nominees and was narrowed down to 25 semifinalists, 15 finalists, and finally, five inductees.

Anderson has been eligible for the past 11 Hall of Fame classes and has nine more years to be considered on the modern-era ballot. If he is not inducted by the Class of 2033, he will become eligible for the Seniors Committee's nomination in 2034, which reviews players retired for 25 years or more.

“It’s a long process and being a finalist the last three years has been great,” Anderson said. “A great time going through that, but at the same time, a hard time going through it. I can’t complain about it because there’s so many guys that could be in the position more than I am, and to be that close the last three years, it’s a good feeling. But at the same time, the wait is just a hard thing that the majority of the guys have to do it, so I’m going through it and hope the best for it.”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 50-member Selection Committee meets annually before the Super Bowl to vote on the 15 modern-era finalists, Seniors Committee nominees, and the coach/contributor finalist.

“Your presenter -- mine is Geoff Hobson (former Cincinnati newspaper reporter who is now the senior writer for bengals.com) -- has to go into the room and present for you,” Anderson said. “From that 15, each player has to get 80 percent of the vote, so it’s a hard deal because guys are in there fighting for their guys. I heard good things last time from some voters in the room that I was close. I think the whole key is to get in that seven or eight range. I heard I was in that seven or eight range, so, hopefully, next year. You never know, though.”