Canton's Class of '06 may be the greatest ever

	Linebacker Harry Carson was a nine-time Pro Bowler and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl in 1987. AP
	RELATED • Aikman, White, Moon make Hall of Fame on first try
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SI.com's Paul Zimmerman has been a Hall of Fame voter for the last 15 years. He spoke with SI.com about Saturday's selection process, which resulted in the election of Troy Aikman, Reggie White, Warren Moon, Harry Carson, John Madden and Rayfield Wright for enshrinement in Canton.

SI.com: How did the voting go today?

Dr. Z: It was the toughest class I've ever seen. If I was writing a story on it, I'd lead with the fact they actually served us two meals. It lasted from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., which is much longer than usual.

SI.com: How strong was the class?

Dr. Z: Furman Bisher of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been a voter for a long time and he said it was the greatest class he's ever seen. I agree.

SI.com: What player caused the most heated debate?

Dr. Z: Well, some of the debates got testy, but none were vicious. A real interesting player was Warren Moon. I think people were aware he would be the first black quarterback and some of the obstacles he had faced in his career. The fact he was the MVP of the Rose Bowl at University of Washington and still had to go up to the CFL. And then someone asked if it was appropriate to consider his CFL numbers. It didn't really matter, he got in on strength of his NFL career.

SI.com: What players did you support the most?

Dr. Z: I really got behind two guys: Bob Kuechenberg and Harry Carson. One got in, one didn't. Thank god Carson finally made it. He had said he didn't want to be considered again after being let down twice. I understand, he was frustrated. And he's a proud old warrior. I think some people felt bad, and you know Peter King and I were behind him. Peter pointed out Bill Belichick's lavish praise of Carson from their Giants days. I'm just really glad he got in. And I'll keep fighting for Kuechenberg.

SI.com: Who was the most notable player not to get in this year?

Dr. Z: It was such a great class, that some worthy guys didn't get in. I spoke on behalf of Thurman Thomas. Back in Super Bowl XXV, I pushed hard to get him the MVP even though the Bills lost to the Giants. They gave it to New York's Ottis Anderson, even though Thomas' numbers were much better. They said you couldn't give it to the losing team, which they actually did back in Super Bowl V when Dallas' Chuck Howley won it. I was so outspoken about it, they threw me out as a selector of Super Bowl MVPs. So in a way Thurman Thomas cost me that job.

SI.com: What about Michael Irvin?

Dr. Z: There wasn't a negative thing said about him. We are told not to consider off-the-field issues. I honestly think he was a victim of the numbers game this year. And maybe some people thought three Cowboys (Aikman and Wright made it in) were too much.

SI.com: Tell me about the John Madden discussion.

Dr. Z: It was raised that Madden has had such a profound influence on the NFL through his video game. I don't see what that has to do with anything. I said, 'What about the Bob Kuechenberg video game?' And there is that quesiton out there about wheter Al Davis was really the puppet master in Oakland. But Madden does have the highest winning percentage of any coach, which has to be taken into account. I voted for him.