Darryl Talley.......Canton Ohio awaits

Growing up in West Virginia, one of the first football names I can remember that wasn't a Pittsburgh Steeler was Darryl Talley. Darryl was the lean, mean outside linebacker on Don Nehlens first three teams and was usually the very best player on the field on either side. In fact, at last years gathering of former WVU head football coaches that included Nehlen, Bobby Bowden, Jim Carlen and the coach that recruited him Frank Cignetti, Don Nehlen answered the question of who was his best player at WVU ever and he stated "Darryl Talley"

Talley made chasing down ball carriers, sacking quarterbacks and pass coverage look like a man playing among boys, he made it look easy. Following a All American season at WVU and a trip to a bowl game the bright lights of the NFL beckoned as Darryl heard his name called as a draft choice of the Buffalo Bills. The Bills were building a foundation of a great team for seasons to come by drafts that included Jim Kelley, Bruce Smith and Thurmon Thomas, all of them college all Americans like Talley, all of them team mates on four Superbowl teams in the 90's. This is where the comparisons take a different tack. The previous three players all reside in Canton Ohio, home of the NFL Hall of Fame. My question is when will Darryl join his teammates with his own bronze bust and immortality??

I could get into crunching the numbers and comparing Darryl Talley to outside linebackers from his era and eras of other generations that would solidify my argument that he deserves to be there, Canton Ohio, two hours south of his hometown of Cleveland Ohio but there's more to this story

I've been fortunate enough to get to know Darryl during my term as president of the WV Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. It gave me great pleasure when Darryl called me one Saturday morning to tell me he had been selected to forever be remembered as one of the greatest college football players of all time. While there was pride in his voice there was also a humbleness recognized by me as he spoke of how proud he was about this honor. I told him how thrilled I was and his next stop should be in Canton and asked him if he made it there could I be honored by attending his induction ceremony

Though a great athlete with a burning desire, Darryl still is a humble human being that proudly talks about his teammates accomplishments while letting others brag about his personal success. These are the kind of men that should be honored with a bronze bust. Players that could play on any field for any team in any era and be the best of teammates as well

Darryl, your day is coming. Without you the Bills would have been good but I don't think they would have been AFC champions four consecutive years. If your team had won any if those games it would be a cinch that you would make it to the HOF in the first five years after your eligibility, as it is we will just have to wait a few years. One more thing Darryl, when they call your name and you make your speech, I hope to be there


Sincerely

Talkin to the Mike