Parrish simply believes that he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. At the very least be discussed. And he does. He also thinks Riley should be in there, too. And he also believes no Bengal on defense can touch his resume.
"I knew the game and how to play cornerback. I mastered that," Parrish says. "You don't get to be an All-Pro eight times if you don't know what you're doing. I put up numbers and teams didn't want to throw it to me. It's like Deion. How do you get interceptions if they don't throw it to you?"
Sanders had 53 interceptions, but Parrish matched him with the eight Pro Bowls. But Sanders got his championship with the 49ers. Gosselin points out that Parrish is one of six cornerbacks with at least eight Pro Bowls and the only one not in Canton.
Long an advocate for defensive equality in the Hall of Fame, Gosselin has always underlined linebacker Maxie Baughan making every Pro Bowl in the 1960s.
"Never been discussed," Gosselin says.
Parrish also has the burden of being a great kick returner, another ability underestimated by the Hall. Billy "White Shoes," Johnson is the returner on the NFL's 75th anniversary team but has been ignored by the selectors.
"Never been discussed," Gosselin says.
What can be discussed is how blessed the Bengals were to have two Hall worthy players on the corner. Although both were named to just one All-Pro team, the Bengals were in the NFL's top ten defensively four of the seven years Riley and Parrish were a tandem while reaching three postseasons.
Riley never made a Pro Bowl, in part, some believe, because his quiet, steady play was overshadowed by the flamboyant, often spectacular Parrish. Some also believe Parrish made those Pro Bowls because of his abilities in the kick game. But he still made those teams.
"I didn't vote myself on those teams," Parrish says. "The players respected me. The coaches respected me."
Parrish made those teams just like Riley made those interceptions. Louis Breeden, who replaced Parrish after the trade, played with them both. He thinks they both deserve Canton.
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