The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021 was revealed on Saturday night at the NFL Honors show and for the seventh year in a row, Torry Holt was not among the players elected. In his seventh year of eligibility, his seventh year as a semifinalist and his second year as a finalist, Holt missed the cut.
Calvin Johnson, however, was elected in his first year of eligibility. Johnson was deserving of making it to Canton after making six Pro Bowls and retiring at the age of 30, but many are questioning how he was a first-ballot Hall of Famer while Holt still hasn’t gotten in.
It’s a legitimate debate, too. In his career, Holt caught 920 passes for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns in 173 games. Johnson’s career spanned 135 games, and he caught 731 passes for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns.
Even in per-game averages, Holt wasn’t far behind Johnson: 5.3 receptions, 77.4 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game compared to 5.4 receptions, 86.1 yards and 0.6 touchdowns per game for Megatron. Holt won a Super Bowl and played in 10 postseason games, too, while Johnson didn’t win either of his two playoff starts.
Here are some of the reactions on Twitter after Johnson was elected and Holt was snubbed.
The #NFL Hall of Fame voting continues to be a joke. Calvin Johnson js first ballot but TO was not? And Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne have better numbers and rings than Calvin and they aren’t in.
— Chad Rentmeester (@boy86_golden) February 7, 2021
Nothing against Calvin Johnson I don't not understand how he was a first ballot HOF over @BigGame81 the stats don't even match up for the first 9 seasons
Torry Holt (9 Seasons)
805 Receptions
11,864 Yards
71 Touchdowns
7x Pro Bowler
2x NFL Receiving Yards Leader #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/cPFMurOZNE— Chris Clark (@MobSquad_99) February 7, 2021
@NFL @ProFootballHOF please explain how Torry Holt is not better than Calvin Johnson. The numbers speak for itself👀
— Justin Rubin (@Justinrubin322) February 7, 2021
Calvin Johnson should not have made it in before Torry Holt.
— JAYTOVEN OF HOUSE IΔΔ. (@REALjayDOTwill) February 7, 2021
Calvin Johnson in the Hall of Fame?…okay cool. But not Torry Holt? Look at comparative stats
— Ryan Chapman 9️⃣ (@coachrchapman) February 7, 2021
This is not the end all, be all but it is a tool to consider that shows greatness.
Reggie Wayne is the 11th best WR & Torry Holt is the 12th. You know where Calvin Johnson ranks? 25th.
Do I think Calvin Johnson was a great player? Absolutely. Should he be 1st ballot? I say no. pic.twitter.com/bjhlZ2WdG3
— Kevin Johnson (@kingkj1962) February 7, 2021
Torry Holt > Calvin Johnson 🤷♂️
— Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) February 7, 2021
Calvin Johnson over Torry Holt????? pic.twitter.com/ogQtS6qgKs
— Devin Leary Fan Account (@WPNRecruiting) February 7, 2021
