To get the call from the Hall?(How's That Feel ...)

By BOB BROWN offensive tackle, Eagles (1964-68), Rams (1969-70) and Raiders (1971-73), Hall of Fame class 2004

I felt after five years out of the NFL that the Hall of Fame would come along, and I'd be in. To say the least, I was very disappointed it didn't happen.

When I played, offensive tackle was an obscure art. If you didn't play well, someone got his head knocked in. There was nobody out there but me, God and that defensive end who wanted to kill my quarterback. It was a difficult job, and tackles were unsung heroes. I played well against some great guys, such as Deacon Jones and L.C. Greenwood, and I thought my qualifications were probably as good as some of the guys who were inducted. I was devastated other people couldn't see the things I had done the way I saw them.

After I was nominated a second time and didn't make it, I decided to let the frustration go. I said a prayer, crossed my fingers, tried not to step on any cracks and was a lot nicer to people.

Then, last year, the feelings came back. I got a letter from the Hall of Fame saying that if elected, I would get a call at around 10 a.m. West Coast time on January 31. I was in the seniors category, which had the ring of a death bell: "This is it, pardner. If you don't make it this time, head 'em up, ...