New York Jets: Kevin Mawae belongs in the Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 2018 finalists, and former New York Jets center Kevin Mawae made the list for the second consecutive year.

The New York Jets have a few members of the exclusive club. However, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, only five Jets have made a “major part of their primary contribution” to the NFL as a member of the franchise, which dates back to the American Football League.

Those five former New York Jets/Titans in the Hall of Fame are: Weeb Ewbank, Curtis Martin, Don Maynard, Joe Namath, and John Riggins. It’s time they add a sixth name to that list, Kevin Mawae.

By any measure, Mawae is among the best centers in the history of the game, and he was among the best of his day. Currently, there are only nine men who played center at some point in their career, and seven of the nine played center only. Bruce Matthews played all three offensive line positions, and Chuck Bednarik played center and linebacker, so they are of a rare breed.

Mawae’s 241 career games played ranks him tied for 59th all-time, and he played in 16 games in 12 of his 16 seasons. He made the All-Pro team three times, and his eight Pro Bowls make him one of only 124 players since the 1950 NFL season (the first Pro Bowl season) to make eight Pro Bowls.

Next: 2018 NFL Playoffs: Picks, predictions for Divisional Round

There are no statistical measures for offensive linemen. So, those are the only ways to measure whether or not he belongs, and he most certainly does. There are four other offensive linemen on this year list of finalists, but none are quite as deserving as Mawae. He was the best center in the league for most of his prime years, and he was dominant. He undoubtedly belongs, but the question remains if the voters will see it that way.