Ex-Oilers linebacker Robert Brazile is one of two senior nominees for the Hall of Fame.
Luv Ya Blue OLB, Kramer selected as senior finalists
CANTON, Ohio — From the time he learned Thursday afternoon that he was one of two senior nominees to be considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame until right before he went to bed, outside linebacker Robert Brazile was being congratulated by family, friends, fans and former Oilers teammates from the Luv Ya Blue era.
Brazile, known as Dr. Doom during his 10-year career (1975-84) with the Oilers, and former Green Bay guard Jerry Kramer were the two senior nominees who have a chance to be voted into the Class of 2018 by the 48-member selection committee the day before Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
Brazile and Kramer are automatic finalists who will be joined by 15 modern-era finalists yet to be determined. After presentations on Brazile and Kramer, the 48 members of the selection committee will vote yes or no on their election.
Brazile, 64, was overcome with emotion when he received the call from David Baker, executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I don’t know what to say,” Brazile said from his home in Mobile, Ala. “I’m speechless. I’m so excited that I’m just floating.”
Brazile celebrated with his wife, Brenda. He called his children and grandchildren. He called his mother, Ola Mae, with the good news.
“My mother said she was on the porch by herself and said she didn’t have anybody to celebrate with,” Brazile said Thursday night.
Brazile was the most excited to tell his father. Robert Brazile Sr., 85, has been battling cancer. He finished his chemotherapy treatments.
“And (Friday) is his last day of radiation,” Brazile said. “I was so happy to tell him. He’s so proud of his son. Oh, my goodness, this is such a wonderful experience.”
Brazile heard from many of his former teammates like Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini, Curley Culp and Elvin Bethea.
If Brazile is elected in February, he will join Campbell, Bethea and Culp as the fourth member of the Luv Ya Blue Oilers to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“It’s such an honor, a blessing, to get this far,” Brazile said. “I’m one step away. I can’t believe it after all these years. This means so much to me and my family. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
The seniors committee was assisted by two members of the Hall of Fame — offensive tackle Art Shell and defensive end Carl Eller.
Shell, who starred for Oakland, congratulated Brazile and said, “Robert, when you get to the Super Bowl, you’ll finally get to kick that door in.”
Shell was referencing Oilers coach Bum Phillips’ famous quote after the 1979 AFC Championship Game loss at Pittsburgh that the Oilers would kick in the door to the Super Bowl in 1980. They lost in the playoffs to Shell’s Raiders.
Brazile, who excelled at Jackson State, was the Oilers’ first-round pick in 1975. He played 10 seasons and never missed a game. He was voted to seven consecutive Pro Bowls.
“This is a great day for Houston,” Bethea said. “Even though the storms are coming, this is a great day for the city.
“I believe Robert should have been voted in years ago. I’m confident he’ll be voted in at the Super Bowl, and it’ll be another great day for Houston and all those Oilers’ fans who supported us through the years. I’m very, very happy for him.”
Brazile is the last linebacker from the All-Decade Team of the Seventies to not be enshrined in Canton. If elected, he will join Jack Ham, Ted Hendricks and Bobby Bell as linebackers from that team enshrined.
john.mcclain@chron.com twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl