We talk NFL Thursdays on WISE Sports Radio, but begin by catching up on the Baseball Hall of Fame vote, which was announced after our Monday MLB spot. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens not getting elected caused a lot of outrage, but it can’t have been a surprise to anyone with the PED controversy surrounding their careers.

On to football, we discuss two retirements. Well, in Sean Payton’s case, it might be a sabbatical. He’ll probably take a year off from coaching and is expected to give broadcasting a try. Ben Roethlisberger, however, is definitely calling it a career after 18 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One correction: I overstated how long the Hall of Fame induction drought might be. Next year looks doubtful for anyone to be elected. But Adrian Beltre and Joe Mauer are on the ballot for 2024 and should have a good chance of getting in. Maybe Chase Utley too. Ichiro is eligible in 2025 and if he isn’t a first-ballot inductee, there should be a revolt. I might even consider attending that ceremony since he’s one of my favorites.

By the way, I didn’t get a chance to say this on-air, but if I had a Hall of Fame vote (and if I’d written for Yahoo about eight years later than I did, maybe I would’ve been a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America), these names (up to 10 can be selected) would’ve been on my ballot:

• Barry Bonds
• Roger Clemens
• Curt Schilling
• David Ortiz
• Gary Sheffield
• Billy Wagner
• Jeff Kent
• Todd Helton

You can stream The WISE Guys from 3 to 6 p.m. ET on wisesportsradio.com or the TuneIn app. Locally in the Asheville area, you can listen on 1310 or 970 AM and 102.9 FM.

Thanks to Mars Hill University for sponsoring WISE’s streaming broadcast and the NFL segment is presented by D.C. Creasman Jewelers.