Oct 10, 1993; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner (59) on the field against the Chicago Bears at Veterans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE
When players are inducted into any Hall of Fame, the question always arises of which players are getting snubbed. Who has a resume that's deserving? Why in the world aren't they being nominated?
Those questions used to follow former Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, until this weekend. Allen became the 24th Eagles player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The same inquiries directed at Allen's previous absence can now (not that they haven't before) be shifted to his former teammate, Seth Joyner.
Joyner's resume speaks for itself. He spent 13 seasons in the NFL, eight with the Eagles, where he was part of a punishing defense led by Reggie White, Jerome Brown and Clyde Simmons.
Joyner played his part too. He finished with 52 career sacks, 24 interceptions and 26 forced fumbles. His versatility to rush the passer and cover in space made him a key part to the Eagles in the 1980's and early 90's. He nearly won Defensive Player of the Year in 1991, coming in second place.
Despite his accolades, Joyner is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
🗣️ hey @ProFootballHOF also time to put big bro #TheHammer 🔨 @sethjoyner in there with the other GREATS. #FlyEaglesFly 🙏🏿💚 pic.twitter.com/YYfk492uXn
He was never even a finalist before his modern-era eligibility expired two years ago. Though he's not to irked about it.
"Honestly, it doesn't brother me," Joyner told NBC Philadelphia's Reuben Frank. "I fell in love with football when I was nine years old. It had always been a goal of mine to become a professional football player. I never played the game for things like the Hall of Fame. Don't get me wrong, it is the honor of all honors to be viewed as one of the best to ever do it.
"But I didn't play the game to become a Hall of Famer. So it doesn't bother me like it may some other guys."
Joyner's humility is admirable, especially for someone that was disrespected year after year, by not even being a finalist. He even attended Allen's induction in Canton, Ohio over the weekend.
The two spent six seasons together, where the Eagles made the playoffs four times.
"Ultimately I'm here today to celebrate my brother," Joyner said of Allen's induction. "I mean I'm just so elated for him and his wife and his boys because he deserves it. And he is a salt-of-the-Earth guy. A brother until I leave this earth."
59 days until Eagles football so it’s only right we honor #59 Seth Joyner (@sethjoyner) one of the most complete defensive players in Eagles history.
He could rush, cover, hit, lead and should absolutely be in the Hall of Fame. It’s time to give #59 his gold jacket.
He was in… pic.twitter.com/ASYzsYh8bi
Whether Joyner eventually is considered for the Hall of Fame as a senior inductee remains to be seen. He has the credentials, but has constantly been looked over.
Still, Joyner doesn't seem too concerned with being left out.
"It's perception, how people see me," Joyner said. "So I can't get myself caught up in whether I get in or whether I don't get or whatever that dynamic is. I lived my dream. I couldn't ask for more."
