All pro cornerback Darrelle Revis announced his retirement yesterday after 11 seasons in the NFL. Immediately after his announcement, people on social media began asking if Revis were a first ballot hall of famer. The answer is a resounding yes!

Of course Revis is a first ballot hall of famer. When pondering the question of whether or not he is, think about some of the first ballot hall of famers from the past ten years at his position and compare Revis’ career to theirs.

Deion Sanders and Darrell Green are the only two corners who are both first ballot hall of famers in the last ten years. Green got inducted in 2008 and Sanders in 2011. Green was a great player and a sure fire hall of famer but you can make the argument that he was not a first ballot hall of famer. Sanders is generally considered the greatest cornerback of all time. Let’s compare their careers to Revis’.

Sanders was an eight time pro bowler and was an all pro six times. He picked off 53 passes in his career. Nine of them were returned for touchdowns. In 1993, Sanders picked off a career high seven passes. Sanders played 14 seasons in the NFL.

Green on the other hand played 20 seasons in the NFL. He picked off 54 passes in his career. Green had a career high five interceptions in 1984. Green was a seven time pro bowler during his career and was selected all pro once.

Now, let’s compare Revis’ career. Revis only intercepted 29 passes in his career. That is not a lot but you have to remember, over a five year period between 2008 to 2013, teams rarely threw in his direction. Revis intercepted a career high six passes in 2009. Revis was a seven time pro bowler and a four time all pro.

Interceptions aside, the careers of Sanders, Green and Revis are very similar. Sanders and Green were first ballot hall of famers and Revis should be as well. Sure, you can debate Revis’ longevity but during his prime years, he was just good as Sanders and Green. He wasn’t the athlete they were but not many people are.

Warren Sapp and Brian Urlacher are also both first ballot hall of famers in the last ten years and both played longer than Revis. However from a production standpoint, you can make the argument like with Revis that they tailed off at the back end of their careers.

Despite that, both got in their first year on the ballot. I agree with the argument that Revis wasn’t great the last three years of his career but from 2007 to 2013, he was the best corner in football. Even after he missed a season due to a knee injury and struggled in Tampa, Revis rebounded and was a shutdown corner for the Patriots in 2014.

We all define greatness in different ways. While Revis may not have been dominant from start to finish in his career, he was an elite talent during his prime years and was as good as any cornerback in NFL history. That is why I think he is a first ballot hall of famer. As you can see, the numbers don’t lie.