Most people who thinks he belongs in the Hall of Fame gives his impressive stats as a reason, and if stats were the only factor then he should make it in on the first ballet, no doubt about that. But there are other factors to consider. Many think the reason why he didn't make it in was because of his flamboyant and arrogant style. But that is an over simplification to say the least. Deon Sanders was a flamboyant player who was also self obsessed at least he seemed that way to the media and the fans. But no one doubted that he belonged in the hall. So whats the difference.
Deon Sanders was a great teammate. He not only put up great stats and amazing highlights he was great for team chemistry. He helped everyone on the team be the best they could be and in turn helped the team be the best it could be. All though there were times that Owens seemed to help his team there were also times that he seemed to hurt his team as well. He would complain to the quarter back if he did not feel like he was getting the ball enough sometimes publicly shaming them. Many considered him a cancer that hurt teams rather than helped them.
In the end although he was clearly one of the most talented wide receivers in the history of his sport and his life time numbers were more than impressive he failed to live up to his potential as a team member in a team sport. Another note is that there is a log jam at his position right now. Jerry Rice is the last wide receiver to get in on his first ballot. Every deserving wide receiver is just having to wait right now. He will get in, in my opinion but he and his fans just needs some patience.
His attitude of putting himself before the team is no being exemplified by his complaining about being in the Hall. He is now calling the Hall of Fame a joke. Now he is putting himself above the NFL and the hall of Fame. He is once again making everything about himself instead of about the game. This is the very attitude that got him into trouble in the first place. The way he is acting proves that he should have not been a first or second ballot guy. For all of his achievements he shows he has no respect for the game. That is a crying shame.