1976 Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project Class.

Here we are!  Again!!

If you have been following our Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project, you know we have asked the rhetorical question: What if the PFHOF began in January 1946?

After soliciting and obtaining a passionate group of football fans and historians, we sent out a ballot for a Preliminary Vote, in which we asked each voter to give us 25 names as their semi-finalists and 5 in the Senior Pool. We then asked the group to vote for their 15 Finalists in the Modern Era and 3 in the Senior Category. The final stage was to vote for their five Modern Era inductee and one Senior inductee.

This is the result of the 31st official class. 

Below are the final results of this project based on 30 votes.

Remember that we have reverted back to the top five candidates entering the Hall.

This is for the “Modern Era”

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1976:

This is for the “Senior Era”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1976.

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1976.

About the 1976 Inductees:

Jerry Kramer G, GNB 1958-68: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1976 on his 3rd Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Green Bay fans know how good Kramer was and will never forget the “Packer Sweep”!  Kramer was named a First Team All-Pro on five occasions, and that was the same number of Championships that the stalwart of the Packers' Offensive Line would help them win, three NFL Championships and two Super Bowls, and he is one of the classiest players ever to suit up on the gridiron.  He was also named to the 1960s All-Decade and 50th Anniversary Team.

Paul Hornung, HB-FB-QB, GNB 1957-62 & 1964-66: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1976 on his 5th Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

One of the few players who won a Heisman Trophy and a National Football League MVP, Paul Hornung was a key member of the Packers dynasty of the 1960s.  He was at his best in the early ’60s, where he received his two First Team All-Pro Selections, and in 1960, he would lead all rushers with 13 Touchdowns.

Hornung’s best games occurred when the Packers needed him the most, as he scored 19 Points in the 1961 Championship Game and rushed for over 100 Yards in the 1965 Championship Game. 

The versatile player was also used on special teams, where he was used as the team’s kicker. 

Tommy McDonald, FL, PHI 1956-63, DAL 1963, RAM 1965-66, ATL 1967 & CLE 1968.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1976 on his 3rd Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Using every bit of field vision and timing to compensate for his 5'9” frame, Tommy McDonald was drafted as a Halfback but was moved to Wide Receiver (Flanker), where he excelled on a Philadelphia Eagles squad that won the 1960 NFL Championship. He would then lead the league in Receiving Yards the following year.

From 1958 to 1962, McDonald recorded a staggering 56 Touchdowns in 63 Games, set the still-standing Eagles record for Receiving Yards in a game (237), and, at the time of his retirement, his 84 Touchdowns were second all time.

Henry Jordan, DT-DE, CLE 1957-58 & GNB 1959-69.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1976 on his 2nd Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

The spark plug for the 1960’s Green Bay defense, Henry Jordan played Right Defensive Tackle for the Green Bay dynasty and rattled off five consecutive (1960-64) First Team All Pro Selections.  He would enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995, which was two decades after Green Bay chose Jordan for their Hall.

Alex Karras, DT, DET 1958-62 & 1964-70.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1976 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

“Never mind that shit.  Here comes Mongo!”

Alex Karras may not have been the best defensive player to ever suit up for the Detroit Lions, but there was no denying that he was the most popular and was in many ways iconic.

Karras would remain in the public eye long after football for his television, film, and broadcasting work, but he was one hell of a player at Defensive Tackle.  A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the 1960’s All-Decade Team, Karras was a dominating figure for the Lions throughout the 1960s (barring the one year in 1963 when he was suspended for gambling on the NFL).

American football is one of the most popular sports in the United States. It involves intellect, mental and physical strength, and high levels of energy. The fans are passionate about their favorite teams and are quick to defend them at any cost. However, this passion has led to scandals, particularly those related to gambling.

The NFL has millions of fans who support their favorite teams and players, but the sport is not immune to controversies and scandals. There have been cases of gambling scandals in the past, which have not only tarnished the reputation of the sport but also impacted the lives of those involved. Some top players, coaches, and team owners have been accused of engaging in unethical and illegal practices that are against the rules of the game. In this article, we'll give you an overview of some of the most infamous gambling scandals in American football.

American Football Scandals: Dive into the History

Betting controversies have long been associated with American football, dating back to its inception. The initial recorded instance of a gambling scandal in the NFL occurred in 1946 when three players faced accusations of deliberately losing a game to benefit bettors. Numerous subsequent cases involving both players and coaches have continued to plague the sport over the years. Here is a rundown of some of the more notable incidents:

1.   Pete Rose Scandal

Pete Rose was a professional baseball player and manager. In 1989, he was accused of betting on games in which he participated in and managed. The accusations were the result of an investigation by the Commissioner of Baseball. Rose denied the allegations, but later admitted to gambling and accepted a lifetime ban from baseball. The scandal created a lot of controversy in the sports industry, with many people supporting Rose and others condemning him for his actions.

2.   Bounty-Gate Scandal

This scandal involved the New Orleans Saints team and the head coach, Sean Payton. The team allegedly offered monetary rewards to players who injured opponents during games. The NFL began an investigation into the allegations, which resulted in fines, suspensions, and the loss of draft picks for the team.

3.   Spy-Gate Scandal

It involved the New England Patriots and their head coach, Bill Belichick. The team was accused of videotaping the defensive signals of their opponents during games. The NFL conducted an investigation into the allegations, which resulted in fines for the team and the coach.

4.   Tim Donaghy Scandal

Tim Donaghy was an NBA referee who was accused of betting on games he officiated. If you are also interested in NFL betting and are looking for some exciting offers, try $200 no deposit bonus 200 free spins real money deals. The described scandal shook the sports industry and raised questions about the integrity of the sport. Donaghy pleaded guilty to the allegations and was sentenced to fifteen months in prison.

5.   Paul Hornung and Alex Karras Scandal

Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were professional football players who were suspended from the NFL for gambling. They were accused of betting on NFL games, although the allegations were not related to games in which they participated. The suspension created a lot of controversy and brought to light the issue of gambling in sports.

6.   Tom Brady Scandal

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for four games after an investigation revealed that he had been involved in a scheme to deflate footballs used in an AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis Colts. This is not only the longest suspension ever handed out by the NFL but also one of the biggest scandals because Brady is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in history, having won five Super Bowls and being named Super Bowl MVP.

7.   Alvin Bailey Scandal

In 2019, the NFL was also hit by a gambling scandal. Former Cleveland Browns player, Alvin Bailey, was suspended for violating the league's policy on gambling. Bailey was caught trying to place bets while playing for the team, resulting in his suspension for four games. The incident once again highlighted the potential impact of betting on the integrity of the sport.

Conclusion

Gambling scandals have been a part of the sports industry for a long time. They shake the foundation of sports and create a negative image of the players and teams involved. The scandals remind us that even the best fall and that everyone is accountable for their actions.

As sports fans, we should be aware of the issues facing the industry and work towards a better future for sports. We should promote fair play, honesty, and transparency in sports, and hold players, coaches, and team owners accountable for their actions. Ultimately, it is up to us to ensure that the sports we love remain a source of joy and inspiration for generations to come.