There have been a lot of changes recently regarding the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and here is one that we were not expecting:
For the first time, the PFHOF has announced the preliminary names for the Senior Player Ballot, and the list includes many former greats.
This group will be pared down to 50 names.
The 182 nominees are:
Quarterbacks (16):
Ken Anderson: CIN 1971-86. Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981 and the four-time Pro Bowl threw for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns. He also was the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and historically brought the Cincinnati Bengals to its first Super Bowl. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Charlie Conerly: NYG 1948-61. Conerly was a 1956 New York Giants NFL Championship Team member, was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, and accumulated 19,488 Yards and 173 TDs. Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Boomer Esiason: CIN 1984-92 & 96, NYJ 1993-95 & ARI 1996. Esiason was the consensus 1988 MVP, leading Cincy to their second Super Bowl appearance. The four-time Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro amassed 37,920 Passing Yards and 247 Touchdowns. Ranked #138 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Roman Gabriel: LAR 1962-72 & PHI 1973-77. Gabriel was the league MVP in 1969, earning four Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro, and he threw for 29,444 Yards and 201 TDs. Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com.
James “Shack” Harris: BUF 1969-71, LAR 1973-76 & SDG 1977-79. Harris was a pioneering African-American QB who was a Pro Bowl Selection in 1974. He compiled 45 TDs and 8,136 Yards.
Bobby Hebert: NOR 1985-92 & ATL 1993-96. Hebert was a Pro Bowler once and compiled 135 Touchdown Passes with 21,683 Passing Yards.
Jeff Hostetler: NYG 1988-92, RAI/OAK 1993-96 & WAS 1997. Hostetler won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, one as a starter, and would later make the Pro Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders. He had 16,430 passing Yards with 94 Touchdowns.
Ron Jaworski: RAM 1973-76, PHI 1977-88, MIA 1987-88 & KC 1989. Jaworski won the 1980 Bert Bell Award and brought the Eagles to their first Super Bowl. Over his career, “Jaws” threw for 179 TDs and 28,190 Yards.
Jack Kemp: PIT 1957, LAC/SD 1960-62 & BUF 1962-69. A seven-time AFL All-Star, Kemp led the Bills to two AFL Championships, where he was the MVP in both games. He is also a former AFL MVP. Ranked #116 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Daryle Lamonica: BUF 1963-66 & OAK 1967-74. Lamonica won three AFL Championships (two with Buffalo and one with Oakland), and was the AFL Championship MVP in the 1967 Game. He is also a two-time AFL MVP and a five-time AFL All-Star/NFL Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #139 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Don Meredith: DAL 1960 & 1968. “Dandy Don” went to three Pro Bowls and won the 1966 Bert Bell Award. He threw for 135 Touchdowns and 17,199 Yards.
Jim Plunkett: NWE 1971-75, SFO 1976-77, OAK 1979-81 & RAI 1982-86. Plunkett won two Super Bowls with the Raiders where he was the MVP in SBXV. He compiled 164 Touchdown Passes and 25,882 Passing Yards. Ranked #243 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Phil Simms: NYG: NYG 1979-81& 1983-93. Simms won the NEA MVP in 1986, and won two Super Bowls (though only played in one). A two-time Pro Bowler, He threw for 33,462 Yards and 199 Touchdowns. Ranked #87 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Theismann: WAS 1974-85. Theismann was a career-Redskin who was the 1982 Bert Bell Award Winner and consensus MVP the year after. A two-time Pro Bowl, Theismann went to two Pro Bowls and threw for 25,206 Yards and 160 Touchdowns.
Doug Williams: TB 1978-82 & WAS 1986-89. Williams made.history as the first African-American Quarterback to win a Super Bowl when he led Washington to victory while winning the Super Bowl MVP in the process. He overall threw for 16,988 Yards and 100 Touchdowns.
Running Backs (25):
Alan Ameche: BAL 1955-60. Ameche was the UPI Rookie of the Year and the league’s leading rusher that year. A two-time NFL Champion, Ameche was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro who compiled 4,045 Rushing Yards and 44 Touchdowns from Scrimmage. Ranked #74 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ottis Anderson: STL 1979-86 & NYG 1986-92. Anderson had a monster rookie campaign for St. Louis and would later win two Super Bowls with New York, where he was named a Super Bowl MVP. He had 10,273 Rushing Yards, 3,063 Receiving Yards, and 86 Touchdowns from Scrimmage. Ranked #57 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jon Arnett: LAR 1957-63 & CHI 1964-66. Arnett was a five-time Pro Bowler, and on-time First Team All-Pro who amassed 6,123 Yards from Scrimmage with 36 Touchdowns.
Larry Brown: WAS 1969-76. Brown won the 1972 AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and was also a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Running Back. He had 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs. Ranked #113 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Timmy Brown: GNB 1959, PHI 1960-67 & BAL 1968. Brown went to three Pro Bowls and won two NFL Championships with the Philadelphia Eagles. He twice led the NFL in Yards per Touch and had 7,261 Yards and 57 Touchdowns from Scrimmage.
Earnest Byner: CLE 1984-88 & 1994-95, WAS 1990-93 & BAL 1996-97. Byner won two Super Bowls and amassed 12,866 Yards from Scrimmage and 71 Touchdowns. He was also a two-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.
Roger Craig: SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93. The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, an Offensive Player of the Year, four Pro Bowls, and a First Team All-Pro. From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards, Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.
John David Crow: CRD 1968-59, STL 1960-64 & SFO 1965-68. Crow had 71 TDs and 8,692 Yards from Scrimmage. He was also a four-time Pro Bowl Selection and one-time leader in YFS. Ranked #154 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Clem Daniels: DTX 1960, OAK 1961-67 & SFO 1968. Daniels led the AFL in Rushing in 1963 and was a four-time AFL All-Star. He also was a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #265 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Hewritt Dixon: DEN 1963-65 & OAK 1966-70. Dixon won an AFL Championship with Oakland and was a four-time Pro Bowler. He had 5,909 YFS and 28 TDs.
Chuck Foreman: MIN 1973-79 & NWE 1980. Foreman went to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons and the 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year was a two-time YFS TD leader. He compiled 9,106 Yards from Scrimmage. Ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Willie Galimore: CHI 1957-63. Galimore had a versatile offensive career for Chicago, with 5,286 All-Purpose Yards.
Pat Harder: CRD 1946-50 & DET 1951-53. Harder was the UPI MVP in 1948 and won three NFL Championships, one with Chicago and two with Detroit. A two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harder had 38 Touchdowns and 3,880 Yards from Scrimmage. Ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Marv Hubbard: OAK 1969-75 & DET 1977. The Fullback went to three straight Pro Bowls (1971-73, and had 24 TDs with 5,1753 Yards From Scrimmage.
Cecil Isbell: GNB 1938-42. Isbell only played five seasons but was a four-time Pro Bowl, two-time Touchdown leader, and two-time leader in Passing Yards. He also helped Green Bay win the NFL Championship in 1939 and was named to the 1930s All-Decade Team. Ranked #58 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Daryl Johnston: DAL 1989-99. The Fullback helped Dallas win three Super Bowls in the 1990s, and he was twice named to the Pro Bowl.
Verne Lewellen: GNB 1924-32 & NYY 1927. Lewellen was a First Team All-Pro four times and helped lead Green Bay to three NFL Championships. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Christian Okoye: KC 1987-92. Okoye was the NFL’s leading rusher in 1989 where he was a First Team All-Pro and the UPI Player of the Year. He had 40 Touchdowns and 5,191 Yards From Scrimmage.
Bill Osmanski: CHI 1939-43 & 1946-47. Osmanski was the Rushing Leader as a rookie (699 Yards in 1939), and the three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro was also a four-time NFL Champion with the Bears. Ranked #210 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Glenn Presnell: PRT 1931-33 & DET 1934-36. Presnell won an NFL Championship with Detroit in 1935 and led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (6) in 1933. Ranked #332 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mark van Eeghen: OAK 1974-81 & NEW 1982-83. A one-time Pro Bowl Selection, van Eeghen won two Super Bowls with the Oakland Raiders. He had 41 Touchdowns and 8,234 Yards from Scrimmage.
Herschel Walker: DAL 1986-89 & 1996-97, MIN 1989-1991, PHI 1992-94 & NYG 1985. Walker began his career in the USFL, where he was hands down their best player. He later had two Pro Bowls in the NFL and led the league in YFS once. Ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Byron “Whizzer” White: PIT 1938 & DET 1940-41. White only played three years in the NFL and was the Rushing Leader in two. He is also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #155 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Sammy Winder: DEN 1982-90. Winder played her entire career with the Broncos, compiling 48 Touchdowns and 6,720 Yards From Scrimmage.
Paul “Tank” Younger: RAM 1949-57 & PIT 58. Younger won an NFL Championship with the Los Angeles Rams and was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Younger rushed for 3,640 Yards and 34 Touchdowns and was also a potent Linebacker. Ranked #181 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (31):
Mark Bavaro: NYG 1985-90, CLE 1992 & PHI 1993-94. A two-time Tight End with the Giants, Bavaro caught 39 TDs with 4,733 Yards. He was also a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.
Gino Cappelletti: BOS 1960-70. The incredibly versatile Cappelletti did it all in the first decade of the Patriots, where he was the AFL Player of the Year and a five-time AFL All-Star. Ranked #142 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Raymond Chester: OAK 1970-72 & 1978-81 & BAL 1973-77. Chester was a four-time Pro Bowl Tight End with 5,013 Receiving Yards and 48 TDs. He also won a Super Bowl with the Raiders.
Todd Christensen: NYG 1979-80 & OAK/RAI 1980-88. The quintessential Tight End of the 1980s, Todd Christensen won two Super Bowls with the Raiders. He had 41 Touchdowns and 5,872 Yards. Ranked #60 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mark Clayton: MIA 1983-92 & GNB 1993. Clayton was Dan Marino’s best weapon and had two years where he led the NFL in Touchdown Receptions. He had 84 TDs and 8,974 Yards. Ranked #245 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Gary Collins: CLE 1962-71. Collins had a dual role as a Wide Receiver and Punter and accrued 70 Touchdowns from the air, Ranked #133 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Isaac Curtis: CIN 1973-84. Curtis was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first four years and a three-time Second-Team All-Pro. He had 7,101 Receiving Yards and 53 Touchdowns.
Carroll Dale: RAM 1960-64, GNB 1965-72 & MIN 1973. A two-time Super Bowl and three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay, Dale had an impressive 8,277 Yards with 52 Touchdowns.
Lavvie Dilweg: MIL 1926 & GNB 1927-34. Dilwag was a three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay and was chosen for the 1920s All-Decade Team. Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Boyd Dowler: GNB 1959-69 & WAS 1971. Five-time NFL Champion and two-time Super Bowl winner, Boyd Dowler also was a two-time Pro Bowl recipient who had 7,270 Yards and 40 TDs. Ranked #158 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NEW 1998. Ellard compiled 13,777 Yards and 65 Touchdowns in a career where he once led the NFL in Receiving Yards. He is also a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #69 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jimmie Giles: HOU 1977, TAM 1978-86, DET 1986-87, PHI 1987-89. A four-time Pro Bowl Tight End as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Giles had 5,084 Yards with 41 Touchdowns over his career.
Billie Howton: GNB 1952-58, CLE 1959 & DAL 1960-62. Howton was a four-time Pro Bowl at End who twice led the NFL in Receiving Yards. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro who amassed 8,459 Yards with 61 Touchdowns. Ranked #51 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Harold Jackson: RAM 1968 & 1973-77, PHI 1969-72, BEW 1978-81, MIN 1982 & SEA 1983. A five-time Pro Bowler, Jackson won two Receiving Yards Titles and compiled 10,372 Yards and 76 Touchdowns. Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson: HOU 1974-80, ATL 1982-87 & WAS 1988. One of the most prolific Returners in football history, Johnson had 10,795 All-Purpose Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #118 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Brent Jones: SFO 1987-97. A four-time Pro Bowl at Tight End, Jones won three Super Bowls with the 49ers while catching 33 Touchdowns and 5,195 Yards.
Homer Jones: NYG 1964-69 & CLE 1970. Jones was twice named to the Pro Bowl, and over his career, he accrued 4,986 Yards and 36 Touchdowns. In 1967, he led the NFL in Touchdowns from Scrimmage (14).
Ken Kavanaugh: CHI 1940-41 & 1945-50. Kavanaugh had 50 Receiving Touchdowns, and was a two-time leader in that category. He also was a two-time Pro Bowl selection who helped Chicago win three NFL Championships. Ranked #188 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: NWE 1977-89 & IND 1990. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Stanley Morgan compiled 72 Touchdowns with 10,716 Receiving Yards. He was also a three-time leader in Yards per Reception. Ranked #278 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Art Powell: PHI 1959, NYT 1960-62, OAK 1963-66, BUF 1967 & MIN 1968. Powell, who was a Finalist last year, was a two-time Receiving Yards leader in the AFL. A four-time AFL-All-Star and two-time First Team All-Pro, Powell had 8,046 Yards and 81 Touchdowns.
Mike Quick: PHI 1982-90. Quick led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1983, which began his five-year Pro Bowl streak. He also was a two-time First Team All-Pro who compiled 6,454 Yards and 61 TDs. Ranked #300 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Scarpitto: SDG 1961, DEN 1962-67 & BOS 1968. A career-AFL Player, Scarpitto had 27 Touchdowns and 2,651 Yards, but was also an AFL All-Star at Punter. He twice led the AFL in Punting Yards.
Sterling Sharpe: GNB 1988-94. Sharpe led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1992, was a three-time First Team All-Pro, had five Pro Bowls, and compiled 65 Touchdowns and 8,134 Yards in only seven seasons. Had injures not taken him down early, Sharpe would already be in. Ranked #26 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Del Shofner: RAM 1957-60 & NYG 1961-67. Shofner went to five Pro Bowls and was selected to the First Team All-Pro in all of them. He accumulated 6,470 Yards and 51 Touchdowns over his career. Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Studstill: DET 1961-67, RAM 1968-71 & NWE 1972. Studstill led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1966, Punting Yards in 196, and Punt Return Yards in 1962. That is a pretty nifty skill set.
John Taylor: SFO 1987-95. Taylor played his entire career with San Francisco, where he won three Super Bowls. He accumulated 5,598 Receiving Yards, 43 Touchdowns, and two Pro Bowls.
Lionel Taylor: CHI 1959, DEN 1960-66 & HOU 1967-68. Taylor blossomed in Denver, where he was a five-time AFL leader in Receptions and a three-time First Team All-Star and three-time AFL All-Star. He compiled 45 Touchdowns and 7,195 Yards. Ranked #134 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: KAN 1965-75. Taylor won two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl with Kansas City who had 60 TDs and 7,467 Yards From Scrimmage. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rick Upchurch: DEN 1975-83. Upchurch amassed 4,369 Receiving Yards with 24 TD, but the three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl player had more production in returns with 5,363 Yards and 8 TDs. Ranked #221 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bobby Walston: PHI 1951-62. Walston won an NFL Championship with the Eagles and compiled 5,363 Yards with 46 TDs from the air.
Billy Wilson: SFO 1951-60. Wilson played his entire career with the 49ers where he was named to six consecutive Pro Bowls (1954-59). He was also a one-time First-Team All-Pro, a three-time leader in receptions, and compiled 49 Touchdowns and 5,902 Receiving Yards. Ranked #169 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Offensive Lineman (28):
Harris Barton: SFO 1987-96. Barton won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was twice named in the Pro Bowl and was a one-time First Team All-Pro.
Dick Barwegan: NYY 1947, BCL 1948-49, CHI 1950-52 & BAL 1953-54. Barwegen was named to the 1950’s All-Decade Team and was a four-time First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #176 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ed Budde: KAN 1963-76. Budde was a seven-time AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl who helped the Kansas City Chiefs win two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl. Ranked #56 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Randy Cross: SFO 1976-88. Cross is a three-time Super Bowl winner and also was a three-time Pro Bowler. Ranked #268 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ray Donaldson: BAL 1980-83, IND 1984-92, SEA 1993-94 & DAL 1995-96. Donaldson was a Super Bowl champion with Dallas and a six-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #237 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ox Emerson: PRT 1931-33, DET 1933-37 & BKN 1938. Emerson was selected for the 1930s All-Decade Team and five First Team All-Pros. He also helped the Detroit Lions to an NFL Championship. Ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bill Fralic: ATL 1985-92 & DET 1993. Playing mostly at Right Guard, Fralic went to four Pro Bowls, with a pair of First Team All-Pros. Ranked #223 on Notinhalloffame.com
Gale Gillingham: GNB 1996-74 & 1976. Gillingham was a Guard on Green Bay’s first two Super Bowl-winning teams, and he was also a five-time Pro Bowl with three First-Team All-Pros. Ranked #124 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Kevin Glover. DET 1985-97 & SEA 1988-99. The versatile Lineman went to three Pro Bowls with the Lions and is on Detroit’s All-Time Team.
Charles “Buckets” Goldenberg: GNB 1933-45. Goldenberg was a three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay and is a member of the 1930s All-Decade Team and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Ranked #225 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Wayne Hawkins: OAK 1960-70. Hawkins helped the Raiders win an AFL Championship, and from 1983 to 1967, the Guard was named an AFL All-Star and Second Team All-Pro.
Jay Hilgenberg: CHI 1981-91, CLE 1992 & NOR 1993. Hilgenberg was the Center for the Super Bowl Shuffle winning team, and the two-time First Team All-Pro also had a seven-year run of Pro Bowls from 11985 to 1991. Ranked #73 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Chris Hinton: BAL 1984, IND 1984-89, ATL 1990-1993 & MIN 1994-95. Hinton went to six Pro Bowls, five of which were as a Colt. Ranked #161 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Jacoby: WAS 1981-93. A famed member of the Hogs, Jacoby was part of all three of Washington’s Super Bowl wins and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #37 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Kenn: ATL 1978-94. Kenn is one of the finest offensive linemen in Falcons history, and the Left Tackle would earn five Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros. Ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Kuechenberg: MIA 1970-83. The versatile Lineman was a significant component in Miami’s back-to-back Super Bowl Championships in the early 70s, and he was also named to six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro. Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.
George Kunz: ATL 1869-74 & BAL 1975-78 & 80. Kunz was a seven-time Pro Bowl Tackle and would add a First Team All-Pro in his first year as a Colt. Ranked #103 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Don Mosebar: RAI 1983-94. Msebar played his entire career with the Los Angeles Raiders where the Center was a three-time Pro Bowl winner and one-time Super Bowl winner.
Ralph Neely: DAL 1965-77. Neely won two Super Bowls with Dallas and was a three-time First Team All-Pro at Right Tackle. Ranked #218 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Nate Newton: DAL 1986-98 & CAR 1999. Newton was a six-time Pro Bowl, and two-time First Team All-Pro Guard and won three Super Bowls as a Dallas Cowboy. Ranked #190 on Notinhalloffame.com.
John Niland: DAL 1966-74 & PHI 1975. Niland went to the Pro Bowl in six straight seasons (1968-73) and was chosen for three First Team All-Pros. The Guard also won a Super Bowl with Dallas. Ranked #213 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dick Schafrath: CLE 1959-71. A Cleveland Brown for the entirety of his career, Schafrath was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro at Left Tackle. He is also a former NFL Champion. Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Luis Sharpe: STL 1982-87, PHO 1988-93 & ARI 1994. Sharpe played his entire career with the Cardinals when they were billed from three different laces (St. Louis, Phoenix & Arizona)
Walt Sweeney: SDG 1963-73 & WAS 1974-75. Sweeney won an AFL Championship with San Diego and the Guard was chosen for nine consecutive AFL All-Stars/NFL Pro Bowls (1963-72). He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Fuzzy Thurston: BAL 1958 & GNB 1959-67. The highly decorated Guard won six NFL Championships (one with Baltimore and five with Green Bay) and was a member of the Packers first two Super Bowl teams. He is also a one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #230 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Tyrer: DTX 1961-62, KAN 1963-73 & WAS 1974. A three-time AFL Champion with the Texans/Chiefs, the Left Tackle was a six-time First Team All-Pro and nine-time AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ed White: MIN 1969-77 & SDG 1978-85. White had a long career split between the Vikings and Chargers and the Guard went to four Pro Bowls.
Al Wistert: PHI 1943-51. Wistert was an All-Decade player of the 1940s who propelled Philadelphia to two NFL Championships. He was also a four-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Defensive Linemen (27):
Lyle Alzado: DEN 1971-78, CLE 1979-81 & RAI 1982-85; A: Super Bowl winner with the Los Angeles Raiders, Alzado was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection. The two-time First Team All-Pro also won the 1977 UPI Defensive Player of the Year. Ranked #233 on Notinhalloffame.com.
George Andrie: DAL 1962-72. Andrie was a career-Cowboy who led the NFL in Sacks in 1966 (18.5). He went to five straight Pro Bowls from 1965 to 1969 and won a Super Bowl in his final season. Ranked #328 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Al “Bubba” Baker: DET 1978-82, STL 1983-86, CLR 1987 & 1989-90 & MIN 1988. Baker was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first three seasons and was a two-time leader in Sacks. Ranked #325 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Roger Brown: DET 1960-66 & RAM 1967-69. Brown went to six consecutive Pro Bowls (1962-67) and was twice named a First Team All-Pro. Ranked #160 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ray Childress: HOU 1985-95 & DAL 1996. Childress was a five-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. He was also a four-time Second Team All-Pro. Ranked #86 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ben Davidson: GNB 1961, WAS 1962-63 & OAK 1964-71. Davidson won an NFL Championship as a rookie in Green Bay and later was an AFL Champion with Oakland. As a Raider, he was a three-time AFL All-Star.
Mark Gastineau: NYJ 1979-88. Named the UPI Defensive Player of the Year in 1984, Gastineau was a two-time Sack leader, a three-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. He had 107 career Sacks, and four top ten AP Defensive Player of the Year finishes. Ranked #59 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bill Glass: DET 1958-61 & CLE 1962-68. Glass was a four-time Pro Bowl who won an NFL Championship with Cleveland. He had 87 Sacks over his career.
L.C. Greenwood: PIT 1969-81. Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls. A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rosey Grier: NYG 1955-62 & RAM 1963-66. Grier helped the Giants win an NFL Championship, and he was later part of the Rams Fearsome Foursome Defense. Ranked #68 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rich Jackson: OAK 1966, DEN 1967-72 & CLE. The first true defensive star of the Broncos, Rich “Tombstone” Jackson is one of the few Defensive Ends who collected three straight First Team All-Pros. Ranked #185 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones: DAL 1974-78 & 1980-89. Jones had 106 Sacks over his career that netted him three Pro Bowls, a First Team All-Pro and a Super Bowl ring. Ranked #289 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Sean Jones: RAI 1984-87, HOU 1988-93 & GNB 1994-96. A Super Bowl winner in his last year in the NFL (Green Bay ’96), Jones had 112 Sacks and went to the Pro Bowl once.
Tom Keating: BUF 1964-65, OAK 1966-67 & 1969-72, PIT 1973 & KAN 1974-75. Keating won two AFL Championships and was also a two-time AFL All-Star.
Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb: RAM 1953-55, BAL 1956-60 & PIT 1961-62. A two-time NFL Champion with Baltimore, Lipscomb was a two-time First Team All-Pro and, in 1961, was the unofficial NFL leader in Sacks. Ranked #82 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Marshall: CLE 1960 & MIN 1961-78. The ironman of his day, Marshall brought the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection along the way. He had 130.5 lifetime Sacks. Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Leonard Marshall: NYG 1983-92, NYJ 1993 & WAS 1994. Marshall had 83.5 Sacks and 714 Tackles over his career and won two Super Bowls with the Giants. He also went to two Pro Bowls.
Harvey Martin: DAL 1973-83. Martin won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 and the four-time Pro Bowl Selection won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys. He had 114 career Sacks. Ranked #122 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Leslie O’Neal: SDG 1986-95, STL 1996-97 & KAN 1998-99. O’Neal was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1986 and would later go to six Pro Bowls as a San Diego Charger. He had 1132.5 Sacks. Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Michael Dean Perry: CLE 1988-94, DEN 1995-97 & KC 1997. The 1989 UPI Defensive Player of the Year, Perry was chosen for six Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros while recording 61 Sacks. He won a Super Bowl late in his career with Denver Ranked #166 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Lou Rymkus: WAS 1943, CLE 1946-51. Rymkus won four AAFC Titles and an NFL Championship as Cleveland’s Right Tackle. Ranked #304 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Tom Sestak: BUF 1962-68. Buffalo’s Right Defensive Tackle for seven seasons, Sestak anchored the Bills to two AFL Championships while earning three consecutive First Team All-Pros (1963-65) and four AFL All-Stars (1962-65). He was also the AFL’s leader in Sacks in 1964 (15.5) and had 52 overall. Ranked #191 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Sistrunk: OAK 1973-78. Sistrunk was an Oakland Raider for all seven of his NFL campaigns, where he went to one Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl. He had 53 career Sacks.
Fred Smerlas: BUF 1979-89, SFO 1990 & NWE 1991-92. The Nose Tackle was a five-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro during his time in Buffalo. Ranked #236 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bubba Smith: BAL 1967-71, OAK 1973-74 & HOU 1975-76. Smith won a Super Bowl with the Colts and was twice a Pro Bowl Selection. He also was once a First Team All-Pro and he had career 52.5 Sacks.
Bill Stanfill: MIA 1969-76. Stanfill was Miami’s Right Defensive End for eight years, where he won two Super Bowls and was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He compiled 69.5 Sacks and was the league-leader in that stat in 1973. Ranked #297 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Greg Townsend: RAI 1983-93, PHI 1994 & OAK 1997. Townend won a Super Bowl with the Raiders, was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection and secured 109.5 Sacks.
Linebackers (22):
Carl Banks: NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993 & CLE 1994-95. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Giants, Banks was one-time All-Pro with 860 career Tackles. Ranked #226 in Notinhalloffame.com.
Maxie Baughan: PHI 1960-65, RAM 1966-70 & WAS 1974. Baughan was a NFL Champion with Philadelphia was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection. He also was a one-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Second Team All-Pro. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bill Bergey: CIN 1969-73 & PHI 1974-80. Bergey was the 1969 Defensive Rookie of the Year and was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year in 1974. He was two-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #148 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dan Conners: OAK 1964-74. Connors played his entire career in Oakland where he won an AFL Championship and was a three-time AFL All-Star.
Mike Curtis: BAL 1965-75, SEA 1976 & WAS 1977-78. Curtis helped Baltimore win Super Bowl V and individually was a one-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl recipient. Ranked #173 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Fortunato: CHI 1955-66. Fortunato played his entire career with the Bears, where he won an NFL Championship and earned three consecutive First Team All-Pros (1963-65). Ranked #91 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Grantham: NYT 1960-62 & NYJ 1963-72. Grantham was a five-time AFL All-Star, and three-time First Team All-Pro, who was part of the historical Jets team that won Super Bowl III. Ranked #63 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Tom Jackson: DEN 1973-86. Jackson played his entire career with Denver and was a part of their first two Super Bowl appearances. He was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection with an even 40 Sacks.
Vaughn Johnson: NOR 1986-93 & PHI 1994. Johnson went to four Pro Bowls and was third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 1990.
Lee Roy Jordan: DAL 1963-76. Playing his entire career with the Cowboys, Jordan patrolled the interior and was a five-time Pro Bowler in the process. He also won a Super Bowl with Big D. Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Seth Joyner: PHI 1986-93, ARI 1994-96, GNB 1997 & DEN 98. Joyner won a Super Bowl late in his career with Denver but was at his best with Philadelphia, where he had two of his three Pro Bowls and was the runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year in 1991. He had 1,123 Tackles and 52 Sacks. Ranked #291 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Wilber Marshall: CHI 1984-87, WAS 1988-92, HOU 1993, ARI 1994 & NYJ 1995. Marshall won two Super Bowls (one with Chicago and one with Washington), and the three-time Pro Bowl Selection had 23 Interceptions, 45 Sacks, and 1,043 Tackles. Ranked #120 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rod Martin: OAK 1977-81 & RAI 1983-88. Martin played his entire career with the Raiders winning two Super Bowls and earning two Pro Bowls. He had 14 Interceptions and 56.5 Sacks.
Clay Matthews Jr.: CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96. Matthews Jr. was a three-time leader in Combined Tackles with 1,595 overall. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Matthews Jr. also had 82.5 Sacks and 16 Interceptions. Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Karl Mecklenberg: DEN 1983-94. Mecklenburg was a beast in the interior, compiling three First Team All-Pros, six Pro Bowls, 79 Sacks, and 1,118 Tackles. Ranked #76 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Matt Millen: OAK 1980-81, RAI 1982-88, SFO 1989-90 & WAS 1991. The one-time Pro Bowler won four Super Bowls over his career.
Tommy Nobis: ATL 1966-78. Nobis was the Rookie of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds: RAM 1970-80 & SFO 1981-84. A two-time Super Bowl winner with San Francisco, Reynolds went to two Pro Bowls with the Los Angeles Rams.
Andy Russell: PIT 1963 & 1966-76. Russell was the veteran on Pittsburgh’s first two Super Bowl Championships and a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #136 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Swilling: NOR 1986-92, DET 1993-94 & OAK 1995-96 & 1998. Swilling was named the 1991 AP Defensive Player of the Year and the five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro accumulated 107.5 Sacks over his career. Ranked #72 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Darryl Talley: BUF 1983-94, ATL 1995 & MIN 1996. Talley went to two Pro Bowls and was part of the Buffalo squad that went to four straight Super Bowls. He compiled 1,252 Tackles and 38.5 Sacks.
Phil Villapiano: OAK 1971-79 & BUF 1980-83. Villapino went to four straight Pro Bowls (1973-76), and was a Super Bowl winner with the Oakland Raiders.
Defensive Backs (28):
Dick Anderson: MIA 1968-77. Anderson was the 1968 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and the 1973 Defensive Player of the Year, and won two Super Bowls. A two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Anderson had 24 Interceptions. Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bobby Boyd: BAL 1960-68. Boyd won an NFL Championship with the Colts and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He led the league in Interceptions in 1965 and had 57 in total. Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joey Browner: MIN 1983-91 & TAM 1992. Browner went to six consecutive Pro Bowls as a Strong Safety and was a First-Team All-Pro in three of those years. He recorded 37 interceptions over his career. Ranked #130 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Deron Cherry: KC 1981-91. Cherry played mostly at Free Safety, where he was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro. He had an even 50 Interceptions. Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Nolan Cromwell: RAM 1977-87. Cromwell recorded 37 Interceptions and the Safety was named the 1980 UPI Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a four-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #149 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Thom Darden: CLE 1972-81. Darden led the NFL in Interceptions once, went to one Pro Bowl, and was a three-time Second Team All-Pro.
Don Doll: DET 1949-52, WAS 1953 & RAM 1954. Doll helped the Lions win the 1952 NFL Championship was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection, and is part of the Lions All-Time Team.
Pat Fischer: STL 1961-67 & WAS 1968-77. Fischer recorded 56 Interceptions (29 with St. Louis & 27 with Washington) and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. Ranked #128 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dave Grayson: DTX 1961-62, KAN 1963-84 & OAK 1965-70. Grayson won two AFL Titles (one with Dallas and one with Oakland) and the DB was a three-time First Team All-Pro and six-time AFL All-Star. He led the AFL in Interceptions in 1968 and had 48 in total. Ranked #101 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Cornell Green: DAL 1962-74. Another career Dallas Cowboy, Green was twice named a First Team All-Pro and five Pro Bowls and helped them win their first Super Bowl. He had 34 career Interceptions. Ranked #178 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Merton Hanks: SFO 1991-98 & SEA 1999. Hanks was a 49er for all but his final season, and in San Francisco, the Free Safety was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. He also won a Super Bowl there and had 33 career Interceptions.
Lester Hayes: OAK 1977-81 & RAI 1982-86. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders, Hayes was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. The Cornerback was a one-time First Team All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and had 39 picks over his career. Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Albert Lewis: KAN 1983-93, RAI 1994 & OAK 1995-98. Lewis went to four straight Pro Bowls (1987-90) was a two-time First Team All-Pro and compiled 42 Interceptions. Ranked #98 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Terry McDaniel: RAI 1988-94, OAK 1995-97 & SEA 1998. McDaniel went to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1996 with a pair of Second Team All-Pros. He had 35 Interceptions.
Tim McDonald: STL-PHO 1987-92 & SFO 1993-99. McDonald split his career nearly evenly with two teams as he had three Pro Bowls, Second Team All-Pros and 20 TDs each with both the 49ers and Cardinals. Ranked #194 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Eddie Meador: RAM 1959-70. Meador is one of the most prolific Defensive Backs in RMS history and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He amassed a franchise record of 46 Interceptions. Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Norton: HOU 1960-68. Norton players at Safety and Punter, and was a three-time AFL All-Star with 45 Interceptions.
Lemar Parrish: CIN 1970-77, WAS 1978-81 & BUF 1982. Parrish went to eight Pro Bowls with a First Team All-Pro while recording 47 Interceptions. Ranked #16 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jimmy Patton: NYG 1955-66. From 1958 to 1962, Patton went to the Pro Bowl and was a First Team All-Pro. The long-time Safety had 51 Interceptions and was an NFL Champion in 1956. Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jake Scott: MIA 1970-75 & WAS 1976-78. Scott won two Super Bowls with the Dolphins, winning an MVP in one of them, and the Safety was also a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He had 47 career Interceptions. Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dennis Smith: DEN 1981-94. Smith earned six Pro Bowls and had 15 Sacks, 30 Interceptions, and 1,158 Tackles in a career spent entirely in Denver. Ranked #286 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jack Tatum: OAK 1971-79 & HOU 1980. The feared Safety went to three straight Pro Bowls (1973-75), won a Super Bowl with Oakland, and had 37 Interceptions.
Roosevelt Taylor: CHI 1961-69, SFO 1969-71 & WAS 1972. Taylor won an NFL Championship with Chicago and the two-time Pro Bowl Safety recorded 32 Interceptions.
Mike Wagner: PIT 1971-80. Wagner won four Super Bowls with the Steelers where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and had 36 Interceptions.
Everson Walls: DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93. Walls had 57 Interceptions and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection with a Super Bowl ring with the Giants. Ranked #85 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dave Whitsell: DET 1958-60, CHI 1961-66 & NOR 1967-69. Whitsell was an NFL Champion with Chicago and was a one-time Interception Leader in his first year in New Orleans. The one-time Pro Bowl Selection had 46 career picks.
Fred Williamson: PIT 1960 & OAK 1961-67. Fred “The Hammer” Williamson was a two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time AFL All-Star. He had 36 Interceptions.
Louis Wright: DEN 1975-86. Wright played all 12 of his NFL seasons with Denver, where he went to five Pro Bowls and earned two First Team All-Pros. He had 26 career Interceptions. Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Punters/Kickers (3)
Jim Bakken: STL 1962-78. Bakken was a four-time Pro Bowl Kicker and two-time First-Team All-pro. He scored 1,380 career Points.
Norm Johnson: SEA 1982-90, ATL 1991-94, PIT 1005-98 & PHI 1999. An 18-year veteran, Johnson went to two Pro Bowls and scored 1,736 Points.
Nick Lowery: NWE 1978, KAN 1980-93 & NYJ 1994-96. Lowery went to four Pro Bowls and was a three-time Field Goal Percentage leader. He had 1,711 over his length career.
Special Teams (2)
Mel Gray: NOR 1986-88, DET 1989-94, HOU 1995-96, TEN 1997 & PHI 1997. Gray was an All-Decade Retuner who was chosen for four Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pros. He had 13,279 All-Purpose Yards.
Steve Tasker: HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97. Tasker went to four Super Bowls with Buffalo and was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #121 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The problem with running a Hall of Fame-related website is that many of the big ones we cover all have announcements within months of each other. The backbone of what we do is list-related, so this results in a long push to revise what we already have; specifically, now with our Football and Basketball Lists.
At present, we have a minor update as we have completed the first ten of the 2024 Football List, which you can comment on and vote on:
The new top ten:
*Denotes first year of eligibility
Rankings are impacted annually based on your comments and votes.
Thank you all for your patience. We will soon unveil more changes to the football and basketball lists.
Today, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 12 Finalists in both the Senior and Coach/Contributor categories. The Senior Players were reduced from 31 Semi-Finalists and 29 in the Coach/Contributor category.
The Senior Finalists are:
Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86: Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com. Anderson is a Finalist once again, and seeks to become the third Bengal to gain enshrinement. He brought the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance and was the consensus MVP in 1981. Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a one-time First Team All-Pro, and also won the coveted Walter Payton Man of the Year. Statistically, he threw for 32,838 Yards, 197 Touchdowns, led the NFL in Passing Yards twice, and Pass Completion Percentage three times.
Maxie Baughan: Linebacker, PHI 1960-65, LAR 1966-70 & WAS 1972. Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com. Baughan went to nine out of 10 Pro Bowls throughout the 1960s, and was also chosen for one First Team All-Pro and five Second Team All-Pros.
Roger Craig: Running Back, SF 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93: Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com. A three-time Super Bowl Champion with San Francisco, Craig made history as the game’s first player to obtain for 1,000 Rushing Yards and 1,000 Receiving Yards in the same season. He is a four-time Pro Bowl, one-time First Team All-Pro and was the 1988 Offensive Player of the Year.
Randy Gradishar: Linebacker, DEN 1974-83. Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com. Gradishar was the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year and would collect seven Pro Bowls. He is also a two-time First Tea All-Pro.
Joe Jacoby: Offensive Lineman, WAS 1981-93: Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame.com. Jacoby won three Super Bowls and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.
Albert Lewis: Cornerback, KAN 1983-93 & RAI/OAK 1994-98: Ranked #129 on Notinhalloffame.com. Lewis was a Finalist for the first time in his last year on the modern ballot, and is here on his first Senior ballot. The Defensive Back had 42 Interceptions, four Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.
Steve McMichael: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle, NWE 1980, CHI 1981-93 & GNB 1994: Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com. McMichael is a surprise here, as he was not a Semi-Finalist last year. He won a Super Bowl with Chicago and was a two-time Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro.
Eddie Meador: Cornerback & Safety, RAM 1959-70. Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com. Meador recorded 46 Interceptions and went to six Pro Bowls in the 1960s along with obtaining two First Team All-Pros.
Art Powell: Split End, Defensive Back & Wide Receiver, PHI 1959, NYT 1960-62, OAK 1963-66, BUF 1967 & MIN 1968: Ranked #171 on Notinhalloffame.com. Twice leading the AFL in rushing, Powell was a five-time AFL All-Star and two-time First Team All-Pro.
Sterling Sharpe: Wide Receiver, GNB 1988-94: Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com. Sharpe’s career was cut short due to injury, but still managed five Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros and twice led the NFL in Receptions. He also once led the NFL in Touchdown Receptions.
Otis Taylor: Wide Receiver & Flanker, KAN 1965-75: Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com. Taylor is a Super Bowl Champion with the Chiefs and he has an AFL All-Star and two Pro Bowls on his ledger. He was also the NFL’s leading receiver in Yards in 1971.
Al Wistert: Tackle, Guard & Defensive End, 1943-51: Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com. Wistert won two NFL Championships with the Eagles and was honored with four First Team All-Pro Selections.
This means that the following did not advance:
Ottis Anderson: Running Back, STL 1979-86 & NYG 1986-92. Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Carl Banks: Linebacker, NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993, CLE 1994-95. Ranked #253 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Brown: Running Back, WAS 1969-76. Ranked #109 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mark Clayton: Wide Receiver, MIA 1983-92 & GNB 1993: Ranked #222 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Charlie Conerly: Quarterback, NYG 1948-61: Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver, RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NWE 1998: Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Lester Hayes: Cornerback, OAK/RAI 1977-86. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Chris Hinton: Offensive Lineman, BAL/IND 1983-89, ATL 1990-03 & MIN 1994-95. Ranked #152 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Cecil Isbell: Tailback, GNB 1938-42: Ranked #59 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson: Wide Receiver & Returner, HOU 1974-80, ATL 1982-87 & WAS 1988: Ranked #110 on Notinhalloffame.com
Mike Kenn: Offensive Lineman, ATL 1978-94. Ranked #85 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Kuechenberg: Offensive Lineman, MIA 1970-83: Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.
George Kunz: Offensive Lineman, ATL 1969-74 & BAL 1975-80: Ranked #98 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Marshall: Defensive End, MIN 1960-79: Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Clay Matthews Jr.: Linebacker, CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96: Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: Wide Receiver, NWE 1977-89 & NO 1990: Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Tommy Nobis: Linebacker, ATL 1966-76, Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve Tasker: Special Teams, HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97: Ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Everson Walls: Cornerback, DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93: Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The Coach/Contributor Finalists are:
Tom Coughlin: Coughlin won a Super Bowl with the Giants as an Assistant Coach, and was later Jacksonville’s first Head Coach. After taking the Jaguars to two AFC Championship Games, he would become the Giants Head Coach in 2004, and would win two Super Bowls. He had an overall coaching record of 170-150.
Mike Holmgren: Holmgren coached the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998 and would lead them to a Super Bowl Championship. He later served as Seattle’s Head Coach from 1999 to 2008 and lead them to a Super Bowl Appearance. Holmgren also has two Super Bowl Rings as an Assistant Coach and has an overall record of 151-111.
Bucko Kilroy: Kilroy won three Super Bowls as an executive with New England, and before that he was a scout in the 1960s, helping Philadelphia, Washington and Dallas find talent.
Robert Kraft: Kraft is the long-time owner of the New England Patriots, having bought the team in 1994. Since his acquisition, the Patriots became one of the most successful franchises in Football, winning six Super Bowls.
Buddy Parker: Parker was Detroit’s Head Coach from 1951 to 1955, where he led them to two NFL Championships. He was also Pittsburgh’s Head Coach from 1957 to 1964 and had an overall record of 104-75-9.
Dan Reeves: Reeves was the Head Coach for Denver from 1981 to 1992, and brought them to three Super Bowls, though they were unable to defeat their NFC opponents. He was later the Giants Head Coach (1993-96) and then took over in Atlanta (1997-03) and brought them to their first Super Bowl, though he lost to his former team, Denver. His overall record was 190-165-2.
Art Rooney Jr.: A member of the legendary Rooney family that has always owned the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rooney Jr. is the current Vice President and former Personnel Director.
Marty Schottenheimer: Schottenheimer was the Head Coach for four different teams (Cleveland 1984-88, Kansas City 1989-96, Washington 2001 & San Diego (2002-06), and had an overall record of 200-126-1.
Mike Shanahan: Shanahan was Denver’s Head Coach from 1995 to 2006, and it was under his watch that the Broncos won their first two Super Bowls. He also has a Super Bowl Ring as an Assistant Coach with San Francisco. His overall record was 170-138.
Clark Shaughnessy: Shaughnessy had a long career in both College and the pro ranks, the latter where he was an Assistant Coach and Consultant for Washington, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Lloyd Wells: Wells was football’s first full-time African-American Scout and he focused on HBCUs in a career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
John Wooten: Wooten won two Super Bowls; one with Dallas and one with Baltimore, for his roles as a scouting executive.
This means that Bud Adams Jr., Roone Arledge, C.O. Brocato, Alex Gibbs, Ralph Hay, Eddie Kotal, Elmer Layden, Jerry Markbreit, Virginia McCaskey, Rich McKay, John McVay, Art Modell, Carl Peterson, Jerry Seeman, George Seifert, Seymour Siwoff and Jim Tunney did not advance.
The respective committees will meet next month, and announce their Finalists at a date to be determined.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate all the Finalists for the 2024 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It is time for a massive update here at Notinhalloffame.com where one of our core lists have been revised. The list in question is those worthy of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration.
The first thing that we obviously do with the football list is remove those who were inducted. This took out:
Ronde Barber
Chuck Howley
Joe Klecko
Darrelle Revis
Ken Riley
Joe Thomas
Zach Thomas
DeMarcus Ware
Many of the above were in our top ten, resulting in a monstrous shift at the top of our mountain.
With those remaining, we factored votes and comments that came from all of you, to alter ranks.
We then added those who are worthy who are now eligible for the first time in 2024.
Here is or new top ten!
We have a brand new #1, with first-year eligible defensive superstar, Julius Peppers. The Defensive End recorded 159.5 Sacks, was named to the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Team and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. Peppers also went to nine Pro Bowls and was the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Randy Gradishar, who won the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year and was a Finalist in the Centennial Class of 2022, moves up one spot to #2.
The best Pittsburgh Steeler left from the 1970s dynasty is L.C. Greenwood, who climbed from #6 to #3. The four-time Super Bowl winning Defensive End, went to six Pro Bowls and was a 1970s All-Decade Selection.
At #4, we have our second debut in Tight End, Antonio Gates, who is also our highest ranked offensive player. The undrafted player from Kent State became an All-Decade player, earned three First Team All-Pros and was an eight-time Pro Bowl. He amassed 11,841 Receiving Yards with 116 Touchdowns.
We have to way back in time for #5, who is Lavvie Dilweg, a three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay. He was named to the 1920’s All-Decade Team, and moves from #13.
Multi-time Finalist at Wide Receiver, Torry Holt, goes up one to #6. The former Super Bowl Champion with the Rams compiled seven Pro Bowls, 71 Touchdowns and 12,382 Yards.
Roger Craig, the first man to rush for 1,000 Yards and gain another 1,000 through receptions is at #7, after climbing up one rank.
The highest ranked Quarterback remains Ken Anderson, who at #8, moved up three spots. He was a Finalist twice before, but like his fellow Bengal, Ken Riley, has to enter via the Senior pool.
At #9 is former San Francisco 49er, Patrick Willis, who was a Finalist last year. The Linebacker was the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year, led the NFL in Tackles twice, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro.
The second Wide Receiver in the top ten, Reggie Wayne, was also a Finalist last year, and moved up from #12 to #10. The Super Bowl Champion with the Colts went to six Pro Bowls, and compiled 14,345 Yards and 81 Touchdowns.
There are many more new entrants on the list, which included:
Defensive Tackle, Haloti Ngata, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and was a two-time First Team All-Pro is at #44.
Safety, Eric Berry, who played his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs comes in at #156. He went to five Pro Bowls, and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.
Wide Receiver, Brandon Marshall, enters at #166. He was a six-time Pro Bowl.
The final new entry is Linebacker, Derrick Johnson, a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.
You know what we want you to do!
Cast your votes, offer your opinions, and as always, we thank you for your support!
Is it that time again!
One of our core lists on Notinhalloffame.com, our list of those to consider for the Pro Footnall Hall of Fame has been revised.
The steps in our revisions are basic:
-Remove all of those who were inducted. This included Cliff Branch (#11), Richard Seymour (#35), Tony Boselli (#36), Sam Mills (#40), Leroy Butler (#69) and Bryant Young (#159).
-Input those we think worthy who are now eligible.
-Adjust rankings based on your votes and comments.
The entire list can be found here, but here is our new top ten:
#1. Joe Thomas. The career Cleveland Brown enters his first year of eligibility, and we expect that Thomas will walk in easily. Although Thomas’ teams had way more losses than wins, he is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, a ten-time Pro Bowler and a six-time First Team All-Pro. He should be a lock.
#2. Chuck Howley. Ranked #3 last year, Howley starred at Linebacker for Dallas, where he helped them win Super Bowl VI, after winning the Super Bowl MVP in the Cowboys’ losing effort the year before. A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro, Howley’s path has to come via the Senior’s Committee.
#3. Randy Gradishar. The star of the Orange Crush Defense, Gradishar was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, and went to seven Pro Bowls and had five First Team All-Pros. Gradishar was a Finalist three times, most recently in 2020, on the Centennial Slate ballot. He was ranked #2 last year.
#4. DeMarcus Ware. Ware was ranked #1 last year, and while we thought he was going to enter last year on his first year on the ballot, it was not meant to be, although he reached the Finals. The Linebacker played for Dallas and Denver, winning a Super Bowl in his final season. A member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, Ware twice led the lead in Sacks, three times in Tackles for Loss, and went to nine Pro Bowls. Ware is also a four-time First Team All-Pro.
#5. Darrelle Revis. The New York Jets may not have had much to crow about over the last twenty years, but Darrelle Revis and “Revis Island” was one of the finest displays of Cornerback work over the last decade. Revis was a four-time First Team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl Selection, and he won a Super Bowl with New England. This is his first year of eligibility.
#6. L.C. Greenwood. Greenwood helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970s and he was a Finalist for the Hall six times. A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All Pro, the Defensive End was also chosen for the 1970s All-Decade Team. He drops two spots this year.
#7. Torry Holt. Holt is destined to follow his Hall of Fame Rams teammate and fellow Wide Receiver, Isaac Bruce into Canton. A Super Bowl Champion with St. Louis, Holt was an All-Decade Selection, seven-time Pro Bowler and he has been a Finalist the last three years. Holt slid one spot on this year’s rank.
8. Ronde Barber. Moving up two spots, Barber played his entire career with Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl. A member of the 25-25 Club, Barber went to five Pro Bowls and was a 2010’s All-Decade Selection. He has been a Finalist the last two years.
9. Roger Craig. A former Offensive Player of the Year and three-time Super Bowl Champion with San Francisco, Craig made history as the first player to rush for 1,000 Yards and receive over 1,000 Yards in a season. The four-time Pro Bowler was ranked at number five last year, and was a Finalist in 2020.
10. Zach Thomas. Thomas has been a Finalist the last three years and likely will be again in 2023. The Linebacker was an All-Decade Selection in the 2000s, a two-time leader in Combined Tackles, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro. Thomas was ranked #21 last year.
There were many other new entries on our top 300.
Offensive Lineman, and Super Bowl Champion with New Orleans, Jahri Evans, enters at #36. He was a four-time First Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl Selection.
James Harrison went from undrafted to two-time Super Bowl Champion and Defensive Player of the Year with the Steelers. The five-time Pro Bowler debuts at #51.
Defensive End, Dwight Freeney, went to seven Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and won the Super Bowl with Indianapolis. Freeney had 125.5 career Sacks and comes in at #61.
Shane Lechler, who is one of the best Punters ever makes his first appearance on the list at #110.
Rounding out the new entries are former Bears and Jets Running Back, Matt Forte (#215), former 49ers Linebacker, NaVorro Bowman (#231), and former Bengals and Cardinals Quarterback, Carson Palmer (#258).
Thank you all for your support, and we encourage you to cast your votes and offer your opinions.
There have many Running Backs who were equally capable of the receiving game, but there can only be one groundbreaker. That man was Roger Craig.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.
Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential. In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher. In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.
For our next selection we return to the National Football League after a long absence with a major accolade in the Offensive Player of the Year. Considering this is a very important award, it is a little surprising that this has only been in existence since 1972. Not surprising, is that with the exception of Jerry Rice, it has only gone to Quarterbacks and Running Backs; basically, the sexy skill positions of football. Frankly, we don’t think we will ever see an Offensive Lineman win this regardless of how impressive a season he has.
So, how many Offensive Players of the Year have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the AP Offensive Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1973)
Who else could possibly win it in 1973? O.J. Simpson made history as the first player to exceed 2,000 Rushing Yards (2,003), and while he now has company in the 2,000 club, it is still exclusive company. This was Simpson’s second rushing title and he would win it two more times (1975 & 1976). He would also win the Bert Bell Award and the AP MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (1974)
Stabler was a First Team All-Pro in 1974, and was chosen for the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row. The Quarterback threw for 2,469 Yards and a league leading 26 Touchdowns. He would have a record of 11-2 this year and was also named the AP MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback(1975)
Prior to this year, “Scrambling” Fran Tarkenton was chosen for seven Pro Bowls and 1975 was his eighth. This was the first and only year that he would be named a First Team All-Pro and would the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 25. The Minnesota Viking would also be named the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award Winner. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
Walter Payton, Chicago Bears, Running Back (1977)
This was Payton’s third season in the NFL, and the only one where he would win the Rushing Title with 1,852 Yards and lead the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (14). Payton would have eight more years where he would have 1,200 or more yards on the ground and he retired with 16,726, which as of this writing is second all-time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (1978)
Campbell was a rookie in 1978 and the number one pick from Texas lived up to the hype. Campbell had a league leading 1,450 Rushing Yards and he punched 13 into the end zone. He would also win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named the PFWA MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (2) (1979)
The Houston Oiler made history as the first ever repeat winner of the Offensive Player of the Year, and he would again win the Rushing Title with increased production of 1,697 Yards. This time, Campbell would also finish atop the leaderboard in Rushing Touchdowns (19) and he repeated his PFWA MVP while adding the AP Player of the Year and Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (3) (1980)
Making waves as the first ever repeat winner of the Offensive Player of the Year, Campbell set a new standard with his third straight win. Campbell again raised his game by setting a career high 1,934 Rushing Yards with his 13 Rushing TDs leading the NFL. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Dan Fouts, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (1982)
Fouts was on his fourth straight year of leading the NFL in Passing Yards and he would throw for 2,883 in the strike-shortened campaign of 1982. The Quarterback would be invited to the fourth of what would be six Pro Bowls and he would also lead in Touchdown Passes with 17. He would also win the PFWA MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1984)
Marino turned the football world on its head by becoming the first Quarterback to throw for over 5,000 Yards (5,084) and would also throw for a then record 48 Touchdown passes. He would take Miami to the Super Bowl (they didn’t win) and he would also win the PFWA and AP MVP as well as the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders, Running Back (1985)
Marcus Allen had without a doubt the best regular season of his career with an NFL leading and career-high 1,759 Rushing Yards and 2,314 Yards From Scrimmage. Allen, who had previously propelled the Raiders to a Super Bowl win, was also in 1985 named the AP and PFWA MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.
Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams, Running Back(1986)
Eric Dickerson easily could have been considered a contender for this award in 1983 and/or 1984, but it would have to wait until 1986 before he won the Offensive Player of the Year. This year would see Dickerson win his third Rushing Title with 1,821 Yards and it would be his third of five First Team All-Pro Selections. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers, Wide Receiver(1987)
We think we can agree that of this writing the greatest Wide Receiver of all-time is Jerry Rice. Whether you agree with that or not, Rice made history in 1987 as he first Wide Receiver to win the Offensive Player of the Year and he did so with 22 Touchdown Receptions, which set a record at the time (since eclipsed by Randy Moss). As we all know, this was only the beginning for Rice who was in the second of 11 straight Pro Bowls. Rice also won the PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1989)
How loaded were the San Francisco 49ers in late 80s? Montana was the third different 49er to win the Offensive Player of the Year following Jerry Rice and Roger Craig. In this season, Montana would lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (70.2) while throwing for 3,521 Yards and 26 Touchdowns and more importantly he would win his fourth Super Bowl. The legendary Quarterback would also win the AP MVP as well as the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Warren Moon, Houston Oilers, Quarterback (1990)
At age 34, Warren Moon proved that he should have been in the NFL years before after having to prove himself as a black Quarterback in the Canadian Football League. Moon would lead all passers with 4,689 Yards and 33 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1991)
Thurman Thomas would lead the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage four years in a row, and in 1991 it was the third of that streak. Thomas was a First Team All-Pro for the second and last time this season and he would also be selected as the AP and PFWA MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1992)
Steve Young replicated what his predecessor did (Joe Montana) by winning the Offensive Player of the Year. Young would be chosen this year for his first of seven Pro Bowls and he was the NFL leader in Completion Percentage (66.7) and Touchdown Passes (25). He would also capture the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers, Wide Receiver (2) (1993)
This was the fourth of six seasons where Rice would lead the NFL in Receiving Yards (1,503) and the final one of six where he was at the top in Receiving Touchdowns (15). This would be the only major individual award that Rice would win in 1993. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (1994)
Sanders would win the Rushing Title for the second time with 1,883 Yards and would also finish atop the Yards From Scrimmage leaderboard with 2,166 Yards. This was his third First Team All-Pro Selection. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1995)
Surprisingly, this was the only time that Brett Favre would win this award. In 1995, Favre would lead the NFL in Passing Yards (4,413) and Touchdown Passes (38), the former being a career high. In this season he would win the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and Bert Bell Award and took the Packers to a Super Bowl win the following year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos, Running Back (1996)
This year began Davis’ three years of dominance in the AFC running game and he would rush for 1,538 Yards and catch another 36 passes for 310 Yards. He would be named a First Team All-Pro for the first of three straight seasons. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (2)(1997)
This was Sanders’ second Offensive Player of the Year Award, and he would shatter the accomplishments of his first win. The Lions Running Back rushed for a career high 2,058 Yards joining the exclusive “2,000 Club” and his 2,358 Yards From Scrimmage was easily the best in the NFL. Sanders also won the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. This would be his sixth and last First Team All-Pro Selection. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos, Running Back (2) (1998)
We will argue (and have often) that this is the season that put Terrell Davis in the Hall of Fame. In 1998, T.D., rushed for a league leading 2,008 Yards and 21 Touchdowns and led the Broncos to their second consecutive Super Bowl win. In ’98, Davis also won the AP and PFWA MVP Awards. After this season, injuries would decimate him but that three-year stint was so good that Canton could not ignore him. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (1999)
Marshall Faulk began his run of three First Team All-Pro Selections and this would be his first year in St. Louis after five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Faulk was the ground attack for what would be “The Greatest Show on Turf” and in 1999, he would rush for 1,381 Yards, catch 87 passes for another 1,048 Yards and led the NFL with 2,429 Yards from Scrimmage. Faulk would win the Super Bowl that year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (2) (2000)
Faulk would again exceed 1,300 Rushing Yards, though he would not hit the 1,000 Receiving Yard mark, landing at “only” 830. Faulk would however have more Touchdowns than the previous season, as his 18 Rushing Touchdowns (league leading) and another 8 from the air, which totaled 26, again a league leading. Faulk would also win the AP and PFWA MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (3) (2001)
Faulk became the second player since Earl Campbell to win the Offensive Player of the Year Award, and like the former Houston Oiler, he did it consecutively. Faulk put up his fourth straight 2,000 plus Yards From Scrimmage year and again led the NFL in Touchdowns with 21. He would also win the PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, Running Back (2006)
By this time, LaDainian Tomlinson had already established himself as an elite NFL Running Back and he would win his first Rushing Title with 1,815 Yards and his second Rushing Touchdown title with a career high 28 Touchdowns. He would have another three TDs for 31 total. In 2006, he would also win the AP MVP, PFWA MVP, Walter Payton Man of the Year and the Bert Bell Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
The following are the players who have won the AP Offensive Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Larry Brown, Washington Redskins, Running Back(1972)
This was the last great year of Larry Brown’s career and this would be his fourth straight and final Pro Bowl and we would set a career high with 1,216 Rushing Yards and his 1,689 Yards From Scrimmage would lead the NFL. Brown also would lead the league in Approximate Value and would win the AP MVP and Bert Bell Award. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1976)
Bert Jones had only one Pro Bowl Season, and needless to say it was in 1976. Jones led the NFL with 3,104 Passing Yards and had an 11-3 season. He threw for 24 Touchdowns, which was a career high. He would also win the AP MVP. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1981)
Anderson would throw for career highs of 3,754 Passing Yards, 29 Touchdowns and a league leading 98.4 Quarterback Rating and he was on his third of what would be four Pro Bowls. He would take the Bengals to their first Super Bowl, albeit in a losing effort to the San Francisco 49ers. He would also win the AP MVP, the PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins, Quarterback (1983)
The year after Theismann Quarterbacked the Redskins to the Super Bowl, Theismann had the best regular season of his career with career highs in Passing Yards (3,714) and Touchdown Passes (29). This year, Theismann would also win the PFWA and AP MVP. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Roger Craig, San Francisco 49ers, Running Back(1988)
Craig was an absolute beast at Running Back in 1988 and he would lead the National Football League in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,036 Yards. This was three years after he became the first ever player to eclipse four digits in Rushing and Receiving Yards. He would go on to have 13,100 Yards from Scrimmage over his career. Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Priest Holmes, Kansas City Chiefs, Running Back (2002)
Holmes was in the middle of a three-year run of three straight Pro Bowls and First Team All-Pro Selections and in this season he would rush for 1,615 Yards an NFL leading 21 Touchdowns. He would also have another 687 Receiving Yards, which would tally 2,287 Yards From Scrimmage, his career high. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens, Running Back (2003)
While Jamal Lewis had many good seasons in the National Football League, there was one that was unquestionably incredible. That season (2003), Lewis would join the very exclusive 2,000 Yard Rushing Club (2,066) and he would also win the PFWA MVP. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks, Running Back (2005)
Shaun Alexander led the NFL in Rushing Yard (1,880) and Rushing Touchdowns (27) and this was easily the best season of his career. It was also his last decent season. Forgetting that, Alexander would in 2005 also win the AP and PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.
Let’s update our tally, shall we?
Award in Question |
Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF |
Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF. |
NBA MVP |
100% |
100% |
NHL Norris |
90.5% |
96.4% |
NBA All Star Game MVP |
89.5% |
91.7% |
NHL Conn Smythe |
74.2% |
85.4% |
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year |
73.1% |
79.4% |
NHL Lady Byng |
63.8% |
76.0% |
NFL Super Bowl MVP |
60.6% |
64.9% |
NBA Defensive Player of the Year |
58.3% |
56.5% |
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
NFL Pro Bowl MVP |
52.3% |
54.8% |
MLB Lou Gehrig Award |
51.9% |
51.9% |
MLB Roberto Clemente Award |
47.4% |
47.4% |
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award |
44.4% |
55.4% |
MLB Babe Ruth Award |
37.0% |
39.3% |
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy |
33.3% |
36.7% |
MLB Hutch Award |
33.1% |
33.1% |
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
28.6% |
28.6% |
MLB Edgar Martinez Award |
26.7% |
17.2% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter) |
25.0% |
30.8% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop) |
23.5% |
52.6% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove |
21.7% |
36.8% |
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year |
20.6% |
20.6% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
20.0% |
22.5% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base) |
18.8% |
39.8% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop) |
18.2% |
35.1% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher) |
18.2% |
20.1% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base) |
16.7% |
32.7% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield) |
16.7% |
30.1% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield) |
15.7% |
25.2% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base) |
14.3% |
14.3% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base) |
13.6% |
14.3% |
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base) |
13.6% |
13.3% |
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year |
13.3% |
13.3% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher) |
10.3% |
15.2% |
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |
5.3% |
3.2% |
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the Offensive Player of the Year Award in the National Football League who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback(2004)
This was the second of Peyton Manning’s seven First Team All-Pro Selections and he would do so by throwing a league-leading 49 Touchdown Passes on 4,557 Yards. The OPOY was one of many awards that the Colts Quarterback would collect in 2004 as he was also the PFWA MVP, AP MVP and the Bert Bell Award winner. Manning is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans, Running Back(2009)
The 2,006 Rushing Yards would bring Chris Johnson to the exclusive 2G Rushing Club, but while he wasn’t expected to repeat it, he never came very close. No matter. In this season, Johnson also led the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage with 2,509 Yards. Johnson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2023.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (2)(2013)
Manning was in his second season with the Denver Broncos and he would set a career-high with 5,477 Passing Yards and 55 Touchdown Passes. This year would be his seventh and final First Team All-Pro and he would also win the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. Manning is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.
DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys, Running Back(2014)
Murray would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,845), Rushing Touchdowns (13) and Yards From Scrimmage (2,261). This would be his only season as a First Team All-Pro and he would retire with 9,339 Yards From Scrimmage. Johnson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2023.
The following are the players who have won the Offensive Player of the Year Award who are still active.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2007)
In 2007, Tom Brady would lead the NFL in Passing Yards with a career high 4,806 and 50 Touchdown Passes. By this time, Brady already has won three Super Bowls and in 2007, he would win the AP and PFWA MVP as well as the Bert Bell Award. 41 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, Quarterback (2008)
Brees threw for his first 5,000 Yard Season (5,069) and this was the first time that he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (34). This was the season that cemented Brees as a bona fide elite Quarterback in the National Football League. 40 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2) (2010)
Brady returns to this accolade with an NFL leading 36 Touchdown Passes. This was also his second First Team All-Pro Selection and he would also win the AP and PFWA MVP. 41 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, Quarterback (2) (2011)
In 2011, Brees threw for a career-highs of 5,476 Yards and 46 Touchdown Passes and took the Saints to a 13-3 record. The Quarterback was also chosen for his seventh Pro Bowl. 40 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2012)
This was the season where Adrian Peterson would become one of the members of the 2,000 Rushing Yard Club with a season of 2,097 Yards. A.P. was not surprisingly also the NFL leader in Yards From Scrimmage (2,314) and the Running Back would also win the AP and PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. This season would see him also make his third of four First Team All-Pros. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, Quarterback (2015)
Newton would take the Panthers to the Super Bowl that season and he would earn what is to date his first First Team All-Pro Selection. Newton threw for 3,837 Yards and 35 Touchdowns and also rushed for another 636 Yards and 10 TDs. Newton would also be awarded the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and Bert Bell Award. 31 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Panthers.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Quarterback (2016)
Ryan set career-highs with 4,944 Passing Yards and 38 Touchdown Passes and to date this is the only First Team All-Pro Selection. He would also win the AP MVP, PFWA MVP and the Bert Bell Award. 34 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams, Running Back (2017)
Gurley was a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career, and he would lead the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns with 13. He would also top the NFL with 2,093 Yards From Scrimmage, 19 Touchdowns and an Approximate Value of 19. 25 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback (2018)
In his first season as a starting Quarterback, Mahomes shattered all lofty expectations with a league leading 50 Touchdown passes on 5,097 Passing Yards. He would also be named the AP and PFWA Player of the Year. 24 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.
It certainly appears that the Offensive Player of the Year Award is a huge springboard to Canton immortality.
How do you do the Offensive Player of the Year without going to the defensive side of the same idea? That is what we are doing next!
As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!
We have another major update here at Notinhalloffame.com as our Football list of those who should be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has gone through a major revision.
Last February, 6 of our top 10 were selected (Ray Lewis #1, Jerry Kramer #2, Randy Moss #3, Brian Dawkins #7, Terrell Owens #8 and Brian Urlacher #9) as was another top 15 (Robert Brazile #15). This has brought as expected a major overhaul in our top 10 list but with the addition of three strong first ballot entries none of the returning entries will crack the top three.
Our Notinhalloffame.com Football Top Ten is:
Former Tight End Tony Gonzalez debuts at number one. Gonzalez is without question the greatest Tight End ever and if you don’t agree with that, you can’t argue that he is not the best in terms of pure offensive skill. The former dual sport star from UCLA is second all-time in Receptions and is a 14 time Pro Bowl Selection. If anyone on this list has a speech ready to go it should be Tony Gonzalez!
Champ Bailey makes his inaugural appearance on our list at #2. The Cornerback dominated his position for years and went to twelve Pro Bowls as well as being chosen for three First Team All-Pro rosters.
Former Defensive Player of the Year Ed Reed arrives at #3. Like Gonzalez and Bailey, Reed has the credentials of a first ballot Hall of Famer. The Safety is a nine time Pro Bowl and five time First Team All-Pro Selection and is a Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens. He is also the all-time leader in Interception Return Yards.
Alan Faneca returns at #4 and is the highest ranked returnee from our list. The Offensive Lineman has been a Finalist the last two years and is a nine time Pro Bowl and six time First Team All-Pro Selection. He won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chuck Howley is the highest rated former player who would need to get in via the Senior Committee. Howley, the MVP of Super Bowl V and six time Pro Bowler remains at #5.
Four time Super Bowl Champion L.C. Greenwood also holds the same rank as last year as he holds at #6. The former Pittsburgh Steeler was a six time Finalist and like Howley would need the Senior Committee to get inducted.
Johnny Robinson jumped from #10 to #7. The longtime Kansas City Chief is a former Super Bowl winner and was a Finalist six times. He too needs to enter via the Senior Committee.
From the Denver Broncos’ famed “Orange Crush”, Randy Gradishar jumped from #12 to #8. The former Linebacker was a two time Finalist was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 and was a seven time Pro Bowl and five time First Team All-Pro Selection.
Three time Super Bowl Champion Running Back Roger Craig moves up to #9. Craig was a Finalist in 2009.
Rounding out to the new top ten is Wide Receiver Torry Holt. Holt went to twelve Pro Bowls and helped the St. Louis Rams win the Super Bowl.
Gonzalez, Bailey and Reed are not the only new entries.
Four time Pro Bowl Selection London Fletcher enters our list at #66. Fletcher was a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams and is one of four players to have participated in 250 straight games.
Regular visitors to Notinhalloffame.com know that we eventually plan to grow our core sports lists to 150 and as such we are allowing new entries to push our Football list beyond 100. We have two new entries in the lower end of the list with Asante Samuel at #97 and Brian Waters at #102.
You know what we want you to do!
Take a look at our new list (which can be found here) and let us know who you think should be in the next Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.
It is difficult to understand why Roger Craig had to wait for ten years to be nominated for the Football Hall of Fame, given his strong credentials. Craig was an essential player in every offensive play during his prime. Although he began his career as a fullback, it soon became apparent that he was equally skilled at carrying the ball and blocking for others. In 1986, he made history by becoming the first football player to both rush and catch for 1,000 yards each. Opposing defences were intimidated by his high-knee running style and had to keep a close eye on him during every play.
Craig played a significant role in three Super Bowl Championship teams. Despite his innovative style, he is often overlooked due to the fact that he played alongside some of the most high-prolific offensive stars in football. Critics have suggested that he was merely a beneficiary of the great performances of his teammates, such as Montana and Rice. Nevertheless, Roger Craig was a valuable weapon for the 49ers' offence, and although there may be some debate around his place in the Hall of Fame, he undoubtedly deserved more consideration than he received, although the 2020 Blue Ribbon Finalist spot is a promising sign.