gold star for USAHOF

Kevin Greene played far more games with the Los Angeles Rams and one less as a Carolina Panther, but it was the three seasons in Pittsburgh (1993-95) that arguably got him into Canton.

2020 has been a brutal year for us all, and it isn’t over yet.

It was announced today that Hall of Fame Linebacker, Kevin Greene, passed away today at the age of 58.  It was not announced at this time how he died.

Playing his college ball at Auburn, Greene was taken in the Fifth Round in 1985 by the Los Angeles Rams.  After three years coming off the bench in a pass-rush role, Greene became a starter in 1988, and posted 16.5 Sacks, a number he matched in 1989, while also going to his first Pro Bowl.  

The Linebacker joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993, where he not only joined a competitive team but was gaining national attention.  A Steeler from 1993 to 1995, Greene helped the Steelers reach Super Bowl XXX, and in 1994, he led the NFL in Sacks with 14.0, while also earning First Team All-Pro honors.  

Greene moved to Carolina for 1996, where his 14.5 Sacks led the NFL, and he was a First Team All-Pro for the second time.  He was in the NFL for three more years, one with San Francisco and two more with Carolina.  

He would accumulate 160.0 Sacks and was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection.

Greene was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends, fans and family of Kevin Greene.

Kevin Greene was only a Carolina Panther for three seasons, but one could argue it was the accomplishments that he accumulated there that would put him over the tipping point to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

As our eventual intention is to look at how each team honors their former players and executives we are thrilled that for the first time ever the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally unveiled their Hall of Honor, a 27 man class.

This has been a long time coming, so much so that this group comprises 23 Pro Football Hall of Famers.

Let’s get right to this very esteemed group:

Art Rooney: The founding owner of the Steelers and President of the team from 1933 to 1974. He also served as the Chairman until 1988.

Dan Rooney: The son of Art Rooney, Dan Rooney was the Steelers President from 1975 to 2002. He spearheaded the push for minority hires as coaches or GM creating the “Rooney Rule”, whereby all NFL teams must interview a minority candidate for a coaching or GM job.

Chuck Noll: The Head Coach for Pittsburgh from 1969 to 1991, Noll is a four time Super Bowl winner with a regular season record of 193-148-1. He would win two more Super Bowls with the Steelers as an Executive.

Jack Butler: a four time First Team All-Pro Cornerback from 1956 to 1959. He led the NFL in Interceptions in 1957.

Dick Hoak: A Pro Bowl Running Back in 1968 and the Running Coach from 1972 to 2007. He has five Super Bowl Rings as a Coach.

Joe Greene: “Mean” Joe was a four time Super Bowl Champion and a Defensive Tackle who went to ten Pro Bowls while earning six First Team All-Pro Selections. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in both 1972 and 1974.

Terry Bradshaw: The Quarterback of the 1970’s Steelers dynasty, Terry Bradshaw was a three time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl MVP.

Franco Harris: The Fullback was the engine of the Steelers juggernaut and he too is a four time Super Bowl Champion. He was also a nine time Pro Bowl Selection and the MVP of Super Bowl IX.

Mike Webster: The Center for the 70’s juggernaut, he also won four Super Bowls. He would be named to nine Pro Bowls and seven First Team All-Pro squads.

Lynn Swann: The very popular Wide Receiver was also a four time Super Bowl winner. Twice he would be a Pro Bowler and he was the MVP of Super Bowl X.

L.C. Greenwood: Greenwood also won four Super Bowls and the Defensive End went to six Pro Bowls.

Mel Blount: The Cornerback also won four Super Bowls and was himself a five time Pro Bowl and four time First Team All Pro. He led the NFL in Interceptions in 1975 and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Jack Ham: Playing Outside Linebacker, Ham also won four Super Bowls and was a eight time Pro Bowl and six time First Team All Pro Selection.

Jack Lambert: Yet another four time Super Bowl winner Jack Lambert went to nine Pro Bowls and seven First Team All Pros. The Middle Linebacker was a two time Defensive Player of the Year in both 1976 and 1983.

Andy Russell: A two time Super Bowl winner with eight Pro Bowl Selections. Russell played Linebacker.

Rod Woodson: The Cornerback played ten years of his career with Pittsburgh and was a seven time and five time First Team All Pro Selection with Pittsburgh. As a Steeler he won a Super Bowl and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.

Kevin Greene: Only a Steeler for three seasons, Greene won the Super Bowl with the team and was named to a First Team All Pro squad.

Jerome Bettis: “The Bus” won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh as well as earning four Pro Bowls.

Donnie Shell: Another four time Super Bowl Champion, the Safety was a five time Pro Bowl and three time First Team All-Pro Selection.

John Stallworth: Stallworth also won four Super Bowls and he was named to three Pro Bowls. The Wide Receiver also made a First Team All Pro squad once.

Bobby Layne: The Hall of Fame Quarterback played his final five seasons with Pittsburgh and he was a two time Pro Bowl Selection as a Steeler.

Ernie Stautner: A star Defensive Tackle of the 1950’s, Statutner would be a nine time Pro Bowl.

John Henry Johnson: A Fullback who went to three Pro Bowls as a Steeler in early 1960’s.

Bill Dudley: “Bullet Bill” was an imposing halfback who was with Pittsburgh for three seasons; one before World War II, and two after his service. He would be named the MVP in 1946.

Walt Kiesling: Kiesling only played one season with Pittsburgh but served as their coach for two stints.

John “Blood” McNally: McNally played three seasons for Pittsburgh as well as coached them for three.

Dermontti Dawson: The Center was a seven time Pro Bowl and six time First Team All Pro Selection.

The Hall of Honor will be located at the river end of the FedEx Great Hall at Heinz Field with the eventual plan to grow it to a museum.

To qualify for the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor a player must have been with the team for at least three years and be retired for at least three years.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com are beyond delighted that the Steelers have finally begun to honor their past legends with an institution like this.
We love this weekend here at Notinhalloffame.com!

Today is the official induction of the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class leading to tomorrow’s first pre-season game, the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

This year’s class sees eight new busts to be included into the Hall, which is quickly becoming the go-to Hall of Fame for all American professional sports.

Former Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison was inducted first by Colts’ owner, Jim Irsay.  Harrison enters on his third ballot, though many (including us) have stated that he should have been chosen in his first year of eligibility.  Harrison caught 1,102 passes for 14,580 Yards and 128 Touchdowns; all of which place him in the top ten all-time.

He is also a three time Pro Bowl Selection and in 2002 he set the single season record for Receptions (143), which still stands.

In his speech, Harrison thanks the Colts fans, calling them the best in the world and notably thanked Quarterback, Peyton Manning and Genera Manager, Bill Polian.

Fittingly, Harrison’s longtime teammate, Offensive Lineman, Orlando Pace was enshrined next by his son, Justin.  Pace anchored the line that protected “The Greatest Show on Turf” and was a huge part of their win in Super Bowl XXXVI.  Pace went to seven straight Pro Bowls.

Up next, Marv Levy had the pleasure of inducting Senior Inductee and five time Pro Bowler, Dick Stanfel.  The Offensive Guard was a two time NFL Champion and has a Super Bowl Ring with the Chicago Bears as he was their Offensive Line Coach during the “Super Bowl Shuffle” run.  This is a posthumous induction as Stanfel passed away last year.

Tony Dungy was inducted next by his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate, Donnie Shell.  The current Sunday Night Football analyst was an NFL Coach for 13 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts.  It was with the latter where he won the Super Bowl and made history as the first African-American Head Coach in NFL history.

Kevin Greene was then up and was inducted by his longtime coach, Dom Capers.  Greene was a five time Pro Bowler and recorded a whopping 160 Quarterback Sacks, making him third all-time.



The second of two Senior and posthumous inductees, Quarterback, Ken Stabler was inducted next by his former Head Coach, John Madden.  “The Snake” helmed Oakland to four straight AFC Title Games and was the winning Quarterback in Super Bowl XI.  Stabler died last year and many have felt that this was a snub for far too long and is something that he should have lived to see.

His daughter, Lisa, inducted former San Francisco 49ers owner, Eddie DeBartolo Jr.  Under DeBartolo Jr.’s watch, the Niners won five Super Bowls.  How badly do San Francisco fans want him still running the team!

The unquestionable headliner was up last in Quarterback, Brett Farve, who was inducted by his wife Deanna.  Favre was a Pro Bowler in 11 of his 16 seasons and too Green Bay to a win in Super Bowl XXXI.  In a sport known for grit and determination, Favre took those attributes to another level.  Constantly playing through pain and never throwing a ball that he thought couldn’t be caught, Favre set a myriad of records and gave us a litany of memories.

How perfect was it when Favre said he was going to wing his speech and than insinuated that he would ask Packers’ coach, Mike McCarthy (during the speech that he winged) if he could throw the first series in tomorrow’s Hall of Fame Game?

Typical Favre, and we hope he never changes!

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this latest group of Hall of Famers and encourage you all to tell us who should get in next.

Our 2017 List is here, and ready for your votes and opinions!
Last month, regular contributor, Spheniscus and I debated the Hall of Fame merits of those who were on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

Now that the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2016 has announced their class has done the same.  We were hopeful to do this prior to the announcement of the actual inductees, but life, as it often does simply got in the way!
The Super Bowl is tomorrow and for Hall of Fame purposes this means one thing to us.  The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the latest class to their prestigious institution.

As expected first year eligible Quarterback, Brett Favre, has been chosen.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Green Bay Packers, Favre set numerous passing records and for years was the most recognizable player in the NFL.  Favre is a three time league MVP.

The Offensive Line has seen another one of their fraternity chosen with former St. Louis Ram, Orlando Pace.  Pace is also a Super Bowl Champion and was chosen for seven consecutive Pro Bowls.

The Indianapolis Colts will be well represented.  Wide Receiver, Marvin Harrison, who entered his third year of eligibility, has been chosen.  Harrison was a thirteen year veteran, all with Indianapolis.  He is an eight time Pro Bowl Selection and a Super Bowl Champion with over 13,000 Yards Receiving.

Harrison’s Super Bowl winning coach, Tony Dungy has also been chosen.  Dungy has a coaching record of 139 and 69 and also has a Super Bowl Ring as a Defensive Back with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970’s.  He is currently a popular studio announcer for NBC’s National Football League Sunday Night telecasts.

Kevin Greene, one of the most feared pass rushers of all time, has also been chosen.   Greene finished his career with 160 Sacks, a number that puts him third all-time in that category.

Both Senior Nominees, Quarterback, Ken Stabler and Offensive Guard, Dick Stanfel have also been chosen. 

The home of Super Bowl 50, San Francisco, will see their popular former owner, Edward DeBartolo Jr. also inducted.  DeBartolo Jr. owned the San Francisco 49ers for twenty-three seasons with the team capturing five Super Bowl during that tenure.

Morten Andersen, Steve Atwater, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Alan Faneca, Joe Jacoby, John Lynch, Edgerrin James, Terrell Owens and Kurt Warner were not chosen this year.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this latest class, and we will begin work immediately on the revision of our Football List.  Look for that next month!

“Tis the season to talk about Hall of Fames isn’t it?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their Finalists, and there is no major surprise, which is usually the norm.

The headliner for most people (and for us) is former Quarterback, Brett Favre who two months ago had his number retired by the Green Bay Packers.  Favre is entering his first year of eligibility and is ranked #1 by us.

Favre is not the only first year eligible player to make the list of Finalists as Wide Receiver, Terrell Owens and Offensive Guard, Alan Faneca have also made the cut.  They are ranked and #7 and #5 respectively on our Notinhalloffame football list.

The remaining Finalists (with their Notinhalloffame rank in parenthesis) are Steve Atwater (#19), Don Coryell, Terrell Davis (#21), Tony Dungy, Kevin Greene (#37), Marvin Harrison (#3), Joe Jacoby (#62), Edgerrin James (#17), John Lynch (#57), Orlando Pace (#15) and Kurt Warner (#28).

This group joins the automatic Senior Finalists, Ken Stabler (#6) and Dick Stanfel (#30), along with Contributing Finalist, Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

To enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame must receive 80 percent of the votes.  A maximum of eight inductees can be chosen per year.

Like the Baseball Hall of Fame, We will be debating each Pro Football Finalist.



   

It’s quite the day for us as the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their 25 Semi-Finalists.

Let’s take a quick look shall we?


1. Morten Andersen, Place Kicker.  Fourth Time as a Semi-Finalist: Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

2. Steve Atwater, Safety.  Fifth Time as a Semi-Finalist: Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.

3. Tony Boselli, Offensive Tackle, First Time as a Semi-Finalist:  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

4. Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver.  Second Time as a Semi-Finalist:  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com.

5. Don Coryell, Coach. Eighth Time as a Semi-Finalist.

6. Roger Craig, Running Back.  Eighth Time as a Semi-Finalist:  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

7. Terrell Davis, Running Back.  Tenth Time as a Semi-Finalist:  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

8. Tony Dungy, Coach.  Third Time as a Semi-Finalist.

9. Alan Faneca, Offensive Guard:  First Time as a Semi-Finalist: Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

10. Brett Favre, Quarterback:  First Time as Semi-Finalist: Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

11. Kevin Greene, Linebacker/Defensive End: Tenth Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #37 on Notinhalloffame.com.   

12. Marvin Harrison, Wide Receiver, Third Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

13. Torry Holt, Wide Receiver, Second Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

14. Joe Jacoby, Offensive Tackle, Sixth Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.

15. Edgerrin James, Running Back, Second Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.

16. Jimmy Johnson, Coach, Third Time as a Semi-Finalist.

17. Mike Kenn, Offensive Tackle, Second Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

18. Ty Law, Cornerbck, Second Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #60 on Notinhalloffame.com.

19. John Lynch, Free Safety, Fourth Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #57 on Notinhalloffame.com

20. Kevin Mawae, Center/Offensive Guard.  Second Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #16 on Notinhalloffame.com.

21. Karl Mecklenburg, Linebacker.  Fifth Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #65 on Notinhalloffame.com.

22. Sam Mills, Linebacker.  First time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #85 on Notinhalloffame.com.

23. Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver, First Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.   

24. Orlando Pace, Offensive Tackle, Second Time as a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.  

25. Kurt Warner, Quarterback, Second Time as a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com.  



The Football Hall of Fame will announce the Finalists in January. 

Which ones will make it to next round?



We here at Notinhalloffame.com have been open about the fact that we modeled both our Fictitious Athlete and Fictitious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in regards to the Preliminary, Semi-Final and Finalists rounds.  As such, we are very excited that the preliminary nominees for the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame have been announced. 



The nominees (and the respective ranking they have if they are on the Notinhalloffame.com Football list) are below.



An “x” denotes that he is a returning Finalist, a “y” that he is a first year nominee.



Quarterbacks:



Drew Bledsoe (#77)

y-Brett Favre (#1)

Steve McNair (#94)

Phil Simms (#48)

Vinny Testaverde

x-Kurt Warner (#28)





Running Backs:



Shaun Alexander

Ottis Anderson (#50)

Tiki Barber (#67)

Roger Craig (#11)

Stephen Davis

x-Terrell Davis (#21)

Eddie George

Priest Holmes

Edgerrin James (#17)

Daryl Johnston

Jamal Lewis

y-Clinton Portis

Herschel Walker (#35)

Ricky Watters (#36)

y-Brian Westbrook



Wide Receivers:



Isaac Bruce (#23)

Gary Clark (#53)

Henry Ellard (#76)

x-Marvin Harrison (#3)

Torry Holt (#9)

y-Terrell Owens (#7)

Sterling Sharpe (#46)

Jimmy Smith (#100)

Rod Smith (#54)





Tight Ends:



Mark Bavaro (#98)

Jay Novacek (#89)





Offensive Tackles:



Tony Boselli

Jim Covert

Joe Jacoby (#62)

Jon Jansen

Mike Kenn (#99)

Jim Lachey

x-Orlando Pace (#15)

Chris Samuels





Offensive Guards:



y-Alan Faneca (#5)

Chris Hinton (#68)

Kevin Mawae (#16)

Mark May

Nate Newton

Mark Schlereth

Steve Wisniewski (#26)



Centers:



Jeff Bostic

Jay Hilgenberg (#71)

Kent Hull

Tom Nalen  





Defensive Ends:



Dexter Manley

Charles Mann

Leslie O’Neal

Simeon Rice





Defensive Tackles:



Fred Smerlas

Bryant Young





Linebackers:



Cornelius Bennett

Tedy Bruschi

y-Keith Bulluck

x-Kevin Greene (#37)

Ken Harvey

Levon Kirkland

Clay Matthews

Willie McGinest

Karl Mecklenburg (#65)

Matt Millen

Sam Mills (#85)

Zach Thomas

y-Mike Vrabel





Cornerbacks:



Eric Allen (#44)

Ty Law (#60)

Albert Lewis

Shawn Springs

Troy Vincent

Everson Walls





Safeties:



Steve Atwater (#19)

Joey Browner

LeRoy Butler (#79)

Rodney Harrison (#96)

x-John Lynch (#57)

Lawyer Milloy

y-Darren Sharper (#66)

Darren Woodson





Kickers:



x-Morten Andersen (#83)

Gary Anderson

y-John Carney

Jason Elam

Nick Lowery





Punters:



Sean Landeta





Special Teams:



y-Ethan Albright

Brian Mitchell

Steve Tasker





Coaches:



x-Don Coryell

Bill Cowher

x-Tony Dungy

Tom Flores

Mike Holmgren

x-Jimmy Johnson

Chuck Knox

Buddy Parker

Richie Petitbon

Dan Reeves

Pete Rodriguez

Lou Saban

Marty Schottenheimer

Clark Shaughnessy

Dick Vermeil



The Semi-Finalists will be announced in November following an announcement for the Finalists prior to the NFL Playoffs.  The day before the Super Bowl, the full Class of 2016 will be unveiled.

Any surprises?  Any glaring ommisions?

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com will be keeping our eyes on this one!