Fame can be a fleeting thing.

Just ask New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who has been chasing it for awhile. That’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame we’re talking about.

It’s a shame Kraft reportedly didn’t get chosen from the contributor category, losing out to the late Ralph Hay. Now, while Kraft certainly deserves to get in, Hay deserved to be in the Hall in some way, shape or form. Evidently the owner of the Canton Bulldogs back in August of 1920 organized the first meeting of teams that would form the predecessor of the NFL, the American Professional Football Association. That league later was called – yep, you guessed it – the National Football League.

Shouldn’t that qualify? At some point Kraft will get in, certainly not just because of the Patiots’ incredible success since he became owner, but also because of the work he’s done in the league. It seems a shame that only one contributor could be chosen.

“I don’t know how the process works,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said, “but I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving than Robert Kraft to be in the Hall of Fame.”

It will be interesting to see, player-wise, if any former Patriot players that are, like Kraft was, semifinalists get in. That would be Adam Vinatieri, Vince Wilfork and Rodney Harrison. This is Vinatieri’s first go-round.

“When I came into the league in 2008 and I was Rookie of the Year, it was all because of those guys up front,” Mayo said. “It started with Vince at the nose. Honestly, for a defensive lineman, he was a dominant player. Sometimes the stats don’t do it justice, but he was a dominant player for a very long time. I hope he gets in. I don’t have a vote, but I hope he gets in.”

Meanwhile, here are our votes for this week, including the game involving Mayo’s Patriots:

DOLPHINS 27, PATRIOTS 21

Tua Tagovailoa has never lost to the Patriots. That’s not a Fun Fact, just a fact. It’s also a fact that Miami reeeeallly needs this game, as well as a fact that Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez showed up on the injury report late in the week with a sore hip. Tua’s streak stays in tact.

RAVENS 17, CHARGERS 13

John Harbaugh usually always gets the best of Jim, doesn’t he? L.A.has a great defense, thus the score will be low, but this should be an entertaining one. The Ravens, after a tough loss to the Steelers, need this.

BRONCOS 23, RAIDERS 14

There aren’t many other AFC games on the docket, and this one would certainl give Denver a boost to be 7-5 and eyes on a playoff berth, or at least be in the mix. The Raidahs are a mess with their business decisions.

CARDINALS 33, SEAHAWKS 30

Two quarterbacks running all over the place in the Cards’ Kyler Murray and the ‘Hawks’ Geno Smith. Who would have thought this is the biggest game of the NFC West season so far? We say Arizona’s going to win this one and eventually win the division.

EAGLES 27, RAMS 24

A good Sunday night game, as we practice doing Saquon Barkley back flips. Well, guess we shouldn’t try that at home, huh? Eagles are getting into their groove and give Matthew Stafford the fits the Patriots didn’t.

LIONS 40, COLTS 21

It’s indoors, which is the way Detroit likes it. Jared Goff vs. Anthony Richardson is no contest, as the Lions just keep looking more and more like a Super Bowl team.

CHIEFS 30, PANTHERS 7

Only reason this is included is it’s the only other interconference game. The key for the Chiefs, who are on the road, is to be able to get out of Charlotte without any injuries.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 50-27

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on X (@Telegraph_TomK).