There is a feeling among AFL fans that the American Football League players are consistently overlooked for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  In truth there are many players, the bulk of whose careers were spent in the AFL, that deserve serious consideration, if not outright induction.  In an effort to spark some discussion regarding their hall of fame worthiness, I will occasionally compare AFL players to their NFL (and Hall of Fame) counterparts.

autographed 1964 topps wayne hawkins

#140 – Wayne Hawkins

The first such comparison is between Wayne Hawkins of the Oakland Raiders, and two HoF offensive guards, Tom Mack and Mike Munchak.

Wayne Allen Hawkins – Selected by the Raiders in the 1960 AFL draft, played all 10 seasons of the AFL…  Played in 136 of 140 regular season games during 10-year career…  Five-time AFL All-Star (1963-67)…  AFL champion in 1967…  Member of the Oakland Raiders All-Time Team…  Three-time First-Team All-AFL member…

Thomas Lee Mack – Rams’ first round draft pick, second player overall in 1966 NFL draft. . .One of only two rookies on veteran-laden team. . . Earned starting role as rookie and held left guard position for next 13 seasons. . .Extremely durable, never missed a game during 184-game career. . .Named to 11 Pro Bowls. . .All-NFL five times. . . All-Western Conference once, All-NFC eight times…

Michael Anthony Munchak – Oilers’ first-round draft pick, eighth player overall and first offensive lineman selected, 1982 … Earned starting left guard position, rookie season … Devastating blocker, anchored Oilers line that helped team perennially rank near top of NFL’s offensive statistical categories … Named first- or second-team All-Pro ten times … All-AFC seven times … Elected to nine Pro Bowls …

Unfortunately for Wayne Hawkins, the Raiders Jim Otto, and later Art Shell and Gene Upshaw on their offensive lines in the AFL years.  Hawkins tends to be overshadowed by those well-deserving Hall of Fame members.  However, he was a testament to steadiness and reliability.  Sadly, today Hawkins is battling the post-football brain issues that have made life miserable for so many former players.  Thoughts?