1971 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 26th official class;

Below are the final results of this project based on 31 votes.

Remember that the group took a vote in “1970”, and we have reverted to the top five candidates entering the Hall, PROVIDING THEY MAKE 50% of the vote.  This will be put to a vote again in “1973”.

This is for the “Modern Era”

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1971:

Player	Year of Eligibility	Vote Total
Jim Brown FB	1	31
Dick “Night Train” Lane DB	1	28
Joe Schmidt LB	1	23
Hugh McElhenney HB	2	17
Rosey Brown T	1	16
Mike McCormack T-G	4	6
Pat Harder FB	13	5
Alan Ameche FB	6	5
Marshall Goldberg FB	18	4
Charlie Conerly QB	5	4
Billy Howton E-FL	3	4
Bucko Kilroy G-MG-T-DT	11	3
Ward Cuff WB-QB-HB	19	2
Bill Osmanski FB	19	2
Gene Lipscomb DT	4	2

This is for the “Senior Era”,

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1971.

Buckets Goldenberg	1	11
Joe Kopcha	10	9
Whizzer White	5	8
None of the Above	N/A	3

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”,

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1971.

Bert Bell	2	25
Clark Shaughnessy	2	4
Tim Mara	2	2

 

About the 1971 Inductees:

Jim Brown FB, CLE 1957-65: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1971 on his 1^st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

Jim Brown is a football god. 

We could end it here, but out of deference to the man we think is not only the greatest rusher in the history of game but the best offensive player ever, we will go through all the reasons why Brown is the best player period.

An absolute beast at Syracuse, Cleveland was fortunate that Brown was still available with their Sixth Overall Pick in the 1957 Draft.  Brown was an instant star in the National Football League, winning the Rushing Title as a rookie, the Offensive Rookie of the Year and MVP.  Brown had a signature moment, rushing for a then record 237 Yards, which stood tall for 14 years. 

As Brown’s second year approached, expectations were high, and the Fullback not only met them, he shattered them.  Brown rushed for 1,527 Yards, destroying the record, and remember, and this was done in a 12-gae season.  He also had a career-high 17 Touchdowns. 

Brown played until 1965, and every single year was his gridiron world; everyone else was just living in it.  Playing nine seasons (all with Cleveland), Brown was a Pro Bowl in all of them and an eight-time First Team All-Pro and eight-time Rushing Title winner.  Even in the season he did not win the Rushing Title (1962), he had career bests in Receiving Yards (517) and Receiving Touchdowns (5).  It is not a miscalculation to say that Brown’s ability and playing style changed the game of football forever.

In addition to his MVP as a rookie, Brown won two more (1958 & 1965), and arguably could have won more.  While the Browns only one NFL Championship when he was there (1964), Cleveland went to two more Title Games (1957 & 1965), and his mere presence made the Browns an annual contender.

Perhaps the most impressive stat is that Brown had a career Approximate Value of 121 in 118 Games.  Only an elite player can average more than one AV/Game, but remember that Approximate Value was not calculable until 1960, meaning that his 121 AV is only through 82 of his Games!

Brown easily could have continued his career, as he was not yet 30 and was coming off another MVP, but he retired after the ’65 campaign, and sought a career in Hollywood.  He had 12,313 career Rushing Yards, which at the time, was easily the most ever.  Several players have surpassed Brown since them, but all of them needed many more games to do it.

Dick “Night Train” Lane, DB, RAM 1952-53, CRD 1954-59 & DET 1960-65.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1971 on his 1^st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

The college experience of Dick “Night Train” Lane was only a year in small Scottsbluff Junior College, a small school in Nebraska.  Lane joined the army afterward, and four years later, he asked the Los Angeles Rams for a tryout.  Despite the unlikeliness of a man making the team after not playing any competitive game in four years making the NFL, Lane did just that, and would become one of the best Defensive Backs that the gridiron ever saw.

As a rookie, Lane led the NFL in Interceptions (14), a number that still stands today.  Lane was inexplicably quick, a devastating tackler, and an absolute phenom who had his story happened in the age of social media, would have become a household name.

The Rams traded Lane to the Chicago Cardinals in his third year, and Lane again led the NFL in picks (12).  Lane remained one of the most revered ballhawks, staying with the Cards until he joined Detroit in 1960.  Lane retired with 68 Interceptions, and will likely stay in the top ten in that statistic for decades to come.

Joe Schmidt, LB, DET 1953-65: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1971 on his first Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

Easily the best defensive player the Detroit Lions have ever had, Joe Schmidt was a dominating Middle Linebacker who would become the defensive captain of the team in 1956 and continue in that role for nine years.

Never leaving Detroit as a player, Schmidt was regarded for his unequalled toughness and was a major part of the last two NFL titles that the Lions won.  The 1973 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee was an eight-time First Team All-Pro and was named the league MVP by United Press.

Hugh McElhenny, HB, SFO 1952-60, MIN 1961-62, NYG 1963 & DET 1964.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1971 on his 2nd Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.

A First Round Pick from Washington, Hugh McElhenny traveled down the Interstate-5 to begin his professional football career.

McElhenny was the Ninth Overall Draft Pick in 1952, and he was the starting Right Halfback as a rookie.  That season, and the one after, were First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl worthy, and as he was also used as a returner, he led the NFL in All-Purpose Yards (1,731) as a rookie.

While McElhenny's rookie season was not duplicated, he had two other 1,400 APY years with San Francisco, and was a Pro Bowler on three different occasions, giving him five in total as a 49er.  McElhenny's run with San Francisco ended after the 1960 season when the Minnesota Vikings chose him in the Expansion Draft.  He had 9,100 All-Purpose Yards with 51 Touchdowns with the Niners.

Rosey Brown T, NYG 1953-65.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1971 on his 1^st Ballot.   Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

Rosey Brown played at Morgan State, a historically black college in Baltimore. The NFL was in the infancy of scouting HBCUs, and the New York Giants landed him in the 27^thRound. This selection resulted in the greatest value pick in franchise history.

Early in his career, Brown was one of two African-American players on the Giants, and he helped break racial barriers in the NFL. Brown played his entirety at Left Tackle, and he was among the best in the business.  He went to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 1955, beginning a six-year streak of selections.  Brown earned First Team All-Pro honors four years in a row, and he was a vital component in New York’s 1956 NFL Championship Team.

Brown continued to be a force in the 1960s, earning three more Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.  He retired in 1965 and was considered one of the greatest Lineman in the history of the game.

Bert Bell: Commissioner.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1971 on his 2nd Coach/Contributors Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Bert Bell was the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles (1933-40), and later the co-owner of the Philadelphia Eagles (1941-46), but his induction was based on his role as the NFL Commissioner.

Bell took on that role in 1946, and oversaw his league in their rivalry against the AAFC.  He would broker the merger of the two leagues at the end of the 1949 Season (adding the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts) and he was vehemently against gambling, ensuring repercussions to anyone who might tarnish the game by keeping the game’s integrity.  Bell’s biggest contribution was his foresight in regards to the new medium of television.

To ensure fans would go to the games, he initiated televised blackouts, and pioneered television “timeouts.”  He recognized the NFL Player’s Union, against the will of the owners, realizing that it was for the betterment of the game.  He remained the NFL Commissioner until he died in 1959.

Under Bell, the game grew astronomically.  Following his passing, the Maxwell Football Club (which was founded by Bell) awards their version of the MVP, which is named after Bell.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2023 revision of our top 50 Cleveland Browns.

As for all of our top 50 players in football, we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Browns returned to the playoffs but could not get past their first game.  There were no new entries and two elevations in our Top 50.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes:

1. Jim Brown
2. Otto Graham
3. Joe Thomas
4. Lou Groza
5. Ozzie Newsome

You can find the entire list here.

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett rocketed to #12 from #32.

Left Tackle Joel Bitonio, on a six-year Pro Bowl streak, climbed to #18 from #24. 

Notably, Running Back Nick Chubb remains at #44.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

When it comes to identifying the greatest NFL players of all time, the task is both exhilarating and challenging. The National Football League (NFL), rich with a century’s worth of history, has seen countless exceptional athletes who have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on the gridiron. From legendary quarterbacks to unstoppable running backs and defensive titans, these players have left indelible marks on the sport and continue to inspire future generations.

Quarterbacks: The Commanders of the Field

Tom Brady is arguably the most iconic quarterback in NFL history. With seven Super Bowl rings to his name, Brady has set records too numerous to count. His leadership, poise under pressure, and longevity—plus the memorable 28-3 Super Bowl comeback against the Atlanta Falcons—cement his status as one of the greatest.

Joe Montana, another legendary name, earned the moniker "Joe Cool" for his ability to remain calm and deliver in clutch situations. Winning four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers, Montana's perfect combination of physical skill and mental toughness make him a beacon of excellence in NFL lore.

For fans interested in exploring other realms of excitement beyond the NFL, the world of online sports betting offers a thrilling alternative. Platforms like 1xbet Chinese provide an opportunity to engage with a variety of sports and events, adding another layer of excitement to the sports-watching experience.

Running Backs: Powerhouses on the Move

Jim Brown, often cited as the greatest running back of all time, dominated defenses during his career with the Cleveland Browns. Brown led the league in rushing yards eight times in nine seasons and retired with an average of 5.2 yards per carry, an impressive feat that speaks to his power, agility, and vision on the field.

Barry Sanders, known for his breathtaking agility and balance, provided endless highlight-reel runs during his tenure with the Detroit Lions. Despite playing behind mediocre offensive lines, Sanders amassed over 15,000 rushing yards in just ten seasons. His decision to retire at the peak of his career remains one of the most surprising in NFL history.

Wide Receivers: Masters of the Air

Jerry Rice is often heralded as the greatest wide receiver ever and, by some accounts, the greatest player in NFL history. Holding records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns, among others, Rice’s work ethic and ability to perform in crucial moments—like his three Super Bowl titles—are unmatched.

Randy Moss also brought a unique combination of size, speed, and hands to the equation. "The Freak," as he was affectionately known, revolutionized the deep pass and recorded some of the most outstanding single-season performances, including 23 touchdown receptions in 2007.

Defensive Giants: The Iron Curtain

Lawrence Taylor, an outside linebacker for the New York Giants, redefined defensive play in the NFL. His speed, strength, and relentless pursuit earned him two Super Bowl rings and an MVP award—a rarity for defensive players. Taylor's ability to disrupt offenses was so profound that he often forced coaches to alter their game plans entirely.

Reggie White, affectionately known as "The Minister of Defense," was a dominant force at the defensive end. White finished his career with 198 sacks, a testament to his extraordinary power and technique. His leadership both on and off the field was instrumental in leading the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 1997.

Fun Facts and Curiosities

Did you know that Jerry Rice once caught a football dropped from a 10-story building? The legendary receiver's impeccable hand-eye coordination and reflexes were evident even in unconventional settings.

Meanwhile, Tom Brady was famously drafted 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. This underdog journey from sixth-round pick to seven-time Super Bowl champion underscores the unpredictable and inspiring nature of sports.

Conclusion

Debating the greatest NFL players of all time is a conversation that blends nostalgia, personal bias, and objective analysis. It’s a testament to how rich and varied the sport's history is. Whether you're a fan of the old-school legends or the modern marvels, the NFL's greatest players have provided endless excitement and inspiration. As long as football is played, new stars will rise, and the debate over the greatest will continue, keeping the spirit of the game alive and thriving.

After more than a year-long process, we are thrilled to announce that your votes have been counted, and we are pleased to unveil who you have chosen as the inaugural United States Athletic Hall of Fame Class.

The nominees were determined by a committee of athletes and writers who came up with the best qualifying athletes (to qualify, the athlete must be at least 50, and be, of course American).  Representatives of 17 different sports were nominated, and put forth before the public to decide on and in a pure democratic vote, the top 25 Players, top six Coaches and top six Contributors have been elected.

Here are the members of the first United States Athletics Hall of Fame Class (Athletes) in order of their vote total.

1. Muhammad Ali (Boxing):  Known as “The Greatest” Ali won the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship three times, Olympic Gold in 1960, and was named the Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated.

2. Michael Jordan (Basketball):  Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championships, and was the Finals MVP in all of them.  A 14-time All-Star, Jordan won the NBA MVP five times, and led the U.S. Dream Team to Gold in 1992.

3. Hank Aaron (Baseball):  Aaron went to 25 All-Star Games, won a World Series, an MVP and is the all-time leader in RBIs, Total Bases and Extra Base Hits.

4. Jim Thorpe (Track & Field, Football & Baseball). Thorpe is also a member of the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

5. Jim Brown (Football):  An NFL Champion with the Cleveland Browns, Brown won eight Rushing Titles over nine years, was a Pro Bowl Selection every year, and was named to the NFL 50^th, 75^th and 100^th Anniversary Teams.  He was also named the greatest College Football Player in history.

6. Jesse Owens (Track & Field):  Owens won Gold four times at the 1936 Olympics, and set three world records and tied another in the span of under an hour at a Big 10 track meet while representing Ohio State.

7. Jackie Robinson (Baseball):  Robinson was the man who broke Baseball’s color barrier, and he was a six-time All-Star and a World Series Champion with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He also was an MVP, and his number 42 was retired by all of MLB.

8. Babe Ruth (Baseball):  Ruth was the first megastar in sports, forever altering the game with his power.  A seven-time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees, Ruth was a twelve-time Home Run king.

9. Larry Bird (Basketball):  Bird won three NBA Championships with Boston, where he was a 12-time All-Star and three-time MVP.  He was also on the Dream Team that won Gold in 1992.

10. Bill Russell (Basketball):  Russell guided the Boston Celtics to an astounding 11 Championships, was a five-time MVP and 12-time All-Star.  He also won two NCAA Titles with San Francisco, and led the U.S. to Gold at the 1956 Olympics.

11. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Basketball):  Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time scoring leader up until last year, won six NBA Titles (five with Los Angeles and one with Milwaukee), and was a six-time league MVP.  He also won three NCAA Titles as UCLA.

12. Ted Williams (Baseball):  Williams was a 19-time All-Star, six-time Batting Champion and was twice an MVP.  He is a member of the MLB All-Time Team and holds the lifetime record in On Base Percentage. 

13. Joe Louis (Boxing):  Louis held the World Heavyweight Championship from 1937 to 1949, and is recognized as the first black national sports hero.

14. Magic Johnson (Basketball):  A five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and NCAA Champion at Michigan State, Johnson won three MVPs and was a 12xTime All-Star.

15. Carl Lewis (Track & Field):  Lewis is the most successful track star in American history, having won nine Gold Medals over four Olympic Games. 

16. Wilt Chamberlain (Basketball):  Chamberlain won four MVPs, two NBA Titles and was a 13-time All-Star.  The seven-time scoring champion set an unbreakable record with a 100-Point Game in 1962.

17. Willie Mays (Baseball):. Mats was a 24-time All-Star, World Series winner with the Giants, and a two-time MVP>. He is also a 12-time Gold Glove winner

18. Martina Navratilova (Tennis):  Born in Czechoslovakia, Navratilova defected to the United States and won 167 Singles Tournaments, 177 Doubles Tournaments, 18 Singles Grand Slams, 31 Doubles Grand Slams and 10 Mixed Doubles Grand Slams.

19. Joe DiMaggio (Baseball):  An All-Star in all of his 13 Seasons in the Majors, the career New York Yankee won nine World Series Rings, three MVPs and hold the record for hitting safely in 56 consecutive games.

20. Lou Gehrig (Baseball):  Gehrig is a member of the MLB All-Time Team, won six World Series Championships with the New York Yankees, and was the first Iron Man of Baseball.

21. Roberto Clemente (Baseball):  Clemente took the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series Titles, was an MVP and won four Batting Titles.  He died on route to Nicaragua in a plane crash while delivering humanitarian aid to earthquake victims.

22. Jack Nicklaus (Golf)):  Nicklaus won 117 Tournaments and a record 18 Majors

23. Arnold Palmer (Golf):  Palmer was the first transcendent star of the sport, and he captures seven Majors and 95 overall tournament wins.

24. Babe Didrikson Zaharias (Track & Field & Golf):  Didrikson-Zaharias won Gold in the 1932 Olympics in the 80 m Hurdles and Javelin.  She would later win 10 Majors on the LPGA.

25. Joe Montana (Football):  Montana Quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowls, winning three Super Bowl MVPs and two MVPs.  He is also a member of the NFL 75^th and 100^th Anniversary Teams.

Here are the members of the first United States Athletics Hall of Fame Class (Coaches) in order of their vote total.

1. Vince Lombardi (Football):  Lombardi coached the Green Bay Packers to five NFL Championships and wins in the first two Super Bowls.  It is fitting that the man who is considered the greatest coach of all time has the Super Bowl trophy named after him.

2. Red Auerbach (Basketball):  Auerbach coached the Boston Celtics to nine NBA Championships, and another seven as an Executive.  He had a coaching winning percentage of .662.

3. George Halas (Football): “Papa Bear”, who was a very good player in his day, was the Head Coach of the Chicago Bears for decades and helmed them to eight NFL Championships.

4. John Wooden (Basketball):  Wooden is the most successful coach in College Basketball history, winning ten NCAA Championships at UCLA and 15 PAC-12 Championships.

5 (TIE). Bill Belichick (Football):  Still active, Belichick took the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins, and is a two-time All-Decade Team Coach.

5 (TIE), Herb Brooks (Hockey):  Brooks coached the United States National Hockey Team to the biggest upset in Olympic history when they defeated the Soviet Union to advance to the 1980 Gold Medal Game, which they won.

Here are the members of the first United States Athletics Hall of Fame Class (Coaches) in order of their vote total.

1. James Naismith (Basketball):  The inventor of Basketball, Naismith took it from the peach basket to the modern day.

2. Al Davis (Football):  Davis was the owner of the Oakland Raiders, who helped change the culture of football.  His teams won three Super Bowls, and he was twice the NFL Executive of the Year.

3, Lamar Hunt (Football):  Hunt was the co-founder of the AFL, and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, that won Super Bowl IV under his tenure.

4. Branch Rickey (Baseball):  Rickey was the man who signed Jackie Robinson to integrate baseball, and was the General Manager of four World Series Teams. 

5 (TIE) Pete Rozelle (Football):  Rozelle was the commissioner of the National Football League from 1960 to 1989, and under him the league exploded in popularity, developed the Super Bowl, and saw unprecedented expansion.

5 (TIE) David Stern (Basketball):  Stern was the NBA’s commissioner from 1984 to 2014, and is credited for the world-wide growth in popularity and the shifting focus on making stars of the individual players.

In order to keep transparency, here is the order the order nominees and where they finished in the vote:

Athletes:

26. Mike Tyson (Boxing)

27. Jack Johnson (Boxing)

28. Walter Payton (Football)

29. Eric Heiden (Speed Skating)

30. Bonnie Blair (Speed Skating)

31. Florence Griffith-Joyner (Track & Field)

32. Julius Erving (Basketball)

33. Josh Gibson (Baseball)

34. Joe Greene (Football)

35. Lawrence Taylor (Football)

36. Jerry Rice (Football)

37. Ty Cobb (Baseball)

38. Mickey Mantle (Baseball)

39. Althea Gibson (Tennis)

40. Cy Young (Baseball)

41. Michael Johnson (Track & Field)

42. Rocky Marciano (Boxing)

43. Bob Gibson (Baseball)

44. Wilma Rudolph (Track & field)

45. John McEnroe (Tennis)

46. Jack Dempsey (Boxing)

47. Dick Butkus (Football)

48. Chris Evert (Tennis)

49. Mark Spitz (Swimming)

50. Sandy Koufax (Baseball)

51. Pete Rose (Baseball)

52. Jimmy Connors (Tennis)

53. Sugar Ray Leonard (Boxing)

54. Satchel Paige (Baseball)

55. Michelle Akers (Soccer)

56. Arthur Ashe (Tennis)

57. Jerry West (Basketball)

58. Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Basketball)

59. Billie Jean King (Tennis)

60. Bob Beamon (Track & Field)

61. Edwin Moses (Track & Field)

62. Barry Bonds (Baseball)

63. Sugar Ray Leonard (Boxing)

64. Emmitt Smith (Football)

65. Reggie White (Football)

66. Bo Jackson (Football & Baseball)

67. Nolan Ryan (Baseball)

68. Henry Armstrong (Boxing)

69. Stan Musial (Baseball)

70. Gail Devers (Track & Field)

71. Rafer Johnson (Track & Field)

72. Honus Wagner (Baseball)

73. Johnny Unitas (Football)

74. Sammy Baugh (Football)

75. Red Grange (Football)

76. Barry Sanders (Football)

77. Richard Petty (Auto Racing)

78. Cynthia Cooper (Basketball)

79. Oscar Robertson (Basketball)

80. Evelyn Ashford (Track & Field)

81. Dale Earnhardt (Auto Racing)

82. Al Oerter (Track & Field)

83. Mario Andretti (Auto Racing)

84. Dan Marino (Football)

85. Deion Sanders (Football & Baseball)

86. Otto Graham (Football)

87. Chris Chelios (Hockey)

88. Rogers Hornsby (Baseball)

89. Don Hutson (Football)

90. Peggy Fleming (Figure Skating)

91. Greg Louganis (Diving)

92. Brett Hull (Hockey)

93. Sam Snead (Golf)

94. Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner (Track & Field)

95. Rickey Henderson (Baseball)

96. Ben Hogan (Golf)

97. Dorothy Hamill (Figure Skating)

98. Walter Johnson (Baseball)

99. Chuck Lidell (Mixed Martial Arts)

100. Bob Mathias (Track & Field)

101. Mike Modano (Hockey)

102. A.J. Foyt (Auto Racing)

103. Dick Button (Figure Skating)

104. Ray Ewry (Track & Field)

105. Dan Gable (Wrestling)

106. Scott Hamilton (Figure Skating)

107. Randy Couture (Mixed Martial Arts)

108. Eddie Arcaro (Horse Racing)

109. George Blanda (Football)

110. Bobby Jones (Golf)

111. Mary Lou Retton (Gymnastics)

112. Greg LeMond (Cycling)

113. Earl Anthony (Bowling)

114. Joan Benoit (Track & Field)

115. Tracy Caulkins (Swimming)

116. Matt Biondi (Swimming)

117. Dara Torres (Swimming)

118. Dennis Connor (Sailing)

119. Nancy Lopez (Golf)

120. Mark Allen (Triathlon)

121. Phil Mahre (Skiing)

122. Kathy Whitworth (Golf)

123. Dave Scott (Triathlon)

124. Debbie Meyer (Swimming)

125. Bill Shoemaker (Horse Racing)

126. Mickey Wright (Golf)

127. Don Budge (Tennis)

128. Bill Tilden (Tennis)

129. Tracie Ruiz (Synchronized Swimming)

130. Willie Mosconi (Billiards)

Coaches:

7. Paul “Bear” Bryant (Football)

8. Phil Jackson (Basketball)

9. Curly Lambeau (Football)

10. Paul Brown (Football)

11. Knute Rockne (Football)

12. Pat Summitt (Basketball)

13. John Heisman (Football)

14. Connie Mack (Baseball)

15. Nick Saban (Football)

16. Amos Alonzo Stagg (Football)

17. Mike Krzyzewski (Basketball)

18. Don Shula (Football)

19. Leo Durocher (Baseball)

20. Casey Stengel (Baseball)

21. Pop Warne (Football)

22. Chuck Noll (Football)

23. Bobby Cox (Baseball)

24. Eddie Robinson (Football)

25. Lou Holtz (Football)

26. Gregg Popovich (Basketball)

27. John Chaney (Basketball)

28. Chuck Daly (Basketball)

29. Tom Flores (Basketball)

30. Joe Gibbs (Football)

31. Bobby Knight (Basketball)

32. John McGraw (Baseball)

33. Lenny Wilkens (Basketball)

34. Sparky Anderson (Baseball)

35. Tom Landry (Football)

36. Dean Smith (Basketball)

37. Geno Auriemma (Basketball)

38. Tony Dungy (Football)

39. Tommy Lasorda (Baseball)

40. Joe Paterno (Football)

41. Phog Allen (Basketball)

42. Pat Riley (Basketball)

43. Joe Torre (Baseball)

44. Walter Camp (Football)

45. Joe McCarthy (Baseball)

46. Adolph Rupp (Basketball)

47. Bo Schembechler (Football)

48. Bill Walsh (Football)

49. Barry Switzer (Football)

50. John Thompson (Basketball)

51. Jim Boeheim (Basketball)

52. Bobby Bowden (Football)

53. Jim Calhoun (Basketball)

54. Bill Cowher (Football)

55. Lefty Driesel (Basketball)

56. Weeb Ewbank (Football)

57. Bud Grant (Football)

58. Tom Heinsohn (Basketball)

59. Henry Iba (Basketball)

60. Jimmy Johnson (Football)

61. Marv Levy (Football)

62. John Maddem (Football)

63. Jack Ramsay (Basketball)

64. Candy Jim Taylor (Baseball)

65. Woody Hayes (Football)

66. Tom Osborne (Football)

67. Larry Brown (Basketball)

68. Mack Brown (Football)

69. Lou Duva (Boxing)

70. Bill Fitch (Basketball)

71. Ara Parseghian (Football)

72. Rick Pitino (Basketball)

73. Steve Spurrier (Football)

74. Eddie Sutton (Football)

75. Rudy Tomjanovich (Basketball)

76. Cus D’Amato (Boxing)

77. Hayden Fry (Football)

78. Whitey Herzog (Baseball)

79. George Karl (Basketball)

80. Lute Olson (Basketball)

81. Bill Self (Basketball)

82. Jerry Tarkanian (Basketball)

83. Dick Williams (Baseball)

84. Roy Williams (Basketball)

85. George Allen (Football)

86. Walter Alston (Baseball)

87. Sid Gllman (Football)

88. Ned Hanlon (Baseball)

89. Bob Huggins (Basketball)

90. Tony LaRussa (Baseball)

91. Urban Meyer (Football)

92. Don Nelson (Basketball)

93. Bill Snyder (Football)

94. Emmanuel Steward (Boxing)

95. Hank Stram (Football)

96. Ed Temple (Track & Field)

97. John Tortorella (Hockey)

98. Jim Tressel (Football)

99. Bob Johnson (Hockey)

100. Al Lopez (Baseball)

101. Pete Newell (Basketball)

102. C. Vivian Stringer (Basketball)

103. Earl Weaver (Baseball)

104. Fielding Yost (Football)

105. Red Holzman (Basketball)

106. Howard Jones (Football)

107. John Kundla (Basketball)

108. Frank Leahy (Football)

109. John McKay (Football)

110. Bo Ryan (Football)

111. Bill Sharman (Basketball)

112. Jerry Sloan (Basketball)

113. Jim Valvano (Basketball)

114. Frank Beamer (Football)

115. Bernie Bierman (Football)

116. Jody Conradt (Basketball)

117. Carlo Fassi (Figure Skating)

118. Eddie Futch (Boxer)

119. Bucky Harris (Baseball)

120. Miller Huggins (Baseball)

121. Bill McKenchie (Baseball)

122. Ron O’Brien (Diving)

123. Wilbert Robinson (Baseball)

124. Darrel Royal (Football)

125. Frank Selee (Baseball)

126. Billy Southworth (Baseball)

127. Tara VanDerveer (Basketball)

128. Abie Grossfeld (Gymnastics)

129. Freddie Roach (Boxing)

130. Bud Wilkinson (Football)

Contributors:

7. Dr. James Andrews (Sports Medicine)

8. Robert Kraft (Football Owner)

9. Roone Arledge (Television Executive)

10. Paul Tagliabue (Football Commissioner)

11. Dick Ebersol (Television Executive)

12. Marvin Miller (Baseball Union Leader)

13. Wellington Mara (Football Owner)

14. Art Rooney (Football Owner)

15. Ralph Hay (Football Owner and League Co-Founder)

16. Walter O’Malley (Baseball Owner & Executive)

17. Bert Bell (Football Commissioner)

18. Ed Sabol (Football Media)

19. George Steinbrenner (Baseball Owner)

20. Jack Kent Cooke (Football & Hockey Owner)

21. Mark Cuban (Basketball Owner)

22. Bill France Sr. (NASCAR CEO)

23. Bill James (Baseball Sabremetrician)

24. Ted Turner (Television Executive & Baseball Owner)

25. Frank Zamboni (Hockey Equipment Owner)

26. Bobby Beathard (Football Executive)

27. Pat Bowlen (Football Owner)

28. Jerry Buss (Basketball Executive)

29. Bud Greenspan (Sports Documentarian)

30. Jerry Jones (Football Owner)

31. Peter Ueberroth (Olympic Organizer & Baseball Executive)

32. Walter A. Brown (Basketball & Hockey Owner)

33. James E. Sullivan (Amateur Sports Official)

34. Don King (Boxing Promoter)

35. Dana White (UFC Executive)

36. Billy Beane (Baseball Executive)

37. Joe Carr (NFL Commissioner)

38. Dan Rooney (NFL Owner & Executive

39. Paul Allen (Football, Basketball & Soccer Owner)

40. Ned Irish (Basketball Owner)

41. James E. Norris (Hockey Owner)

42. Tim Nugent (Wheelchair Basketball Pioneer)

43. Bill Veeck (Baseball Owner & Executive)

44. Ron Wolf (Football Executive)

45. Bud Adams (Football Owner & Executive)

46. Pat Gillick (Baseball Executive)

47. Bucko Kilroy (Football Executive & Scout)

48. Tim Mara (Football Owner)

49. Art McNally (Football Official)

50. Bill Polian (Football Executive)

51. Ralph Wilson (Football Owner)

52. Bob Arum (Boxing Promoter)

53. Jerry Colangelo (Basketball Executive)

54. Rube Foster (Negro League Executive)

55. Effa Manley (Negro League Executive)

56. Steve Sabol (Football Filmmaker)

57. Seymour Siwoff (Statistician)

58. Al Spalding (Baseball Equipment Developer)

59. George Young (Football Executive)

60. Gil Brandt (Football Scout)

61. Avery Brundage (Olympic Executive)

62. Wayne Embry (Basketball Executive)

63. Jim Finks (Football Executive)

64. Jerry Krause (Basketball Executive)

65. Lou Lamoriello (Hockey Executive)

66. Bill Nunn (Football Scout)

67. Tex Schramm (Football Owner)

68. Arthur Wirtz (Hockey Owner)

69. Charles Bidwell (Football Owner)

70. Eddie DeBartolo Jr. (Football Owner)

71. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta (UFC Owners)

72. Ford Frick (MLB Commissioner)

73. Ban Johnson (Baseball Executive)

74. J. Walter Kennedy (NBA Commissioner)

75. Mitch Kupchak (Basketball Executive)

76. Larry MacPhail (Baseball Executive)

77. Jerry Reinsdorf (Basketball Executive)

78. Max Winter (Football Owner)

79. Mike Ilitch (Hockey Owner)

80, Craig Patrick (Hockey Executive)

81. Amy Trask (Football Executive)

82. Leroy T. Walker (Olympic Executive)

83. Clark Griffith (Baseball Owner)

84. Peter Holt (Basketball Owner)

85. Larry O’Brien (NBA Commissioner)

86. Dan Reeves (Football Owner & Executive)

87. George Weiss (Baseball Executive)

88. Weston Adams (Hockey Executive)

89. Ed Barrow (Baseball Executive)

90. Will Harridge (Baseball Executive)

91. Frederic McLaughlin (Hockey Owner)

92. Clint Murchison (Football Owner)

93. Maurice Podoloff (Basketball Executive & Commissioner)

94. Warren Giles (Baseball Executive)

95. Jeremy Jacobs (Hockey Executive)

96. Jack McClosky Basketball Executive)

97. Lee MacPhail (Baseball Executive)

98. Tim Finchen (Golf Executive)

99. Tex Rickard (Hockey Owner & Boxing Promoter)

100. Joe Dey Golf Executive)

We are endeavoring to put forth the 2024 Ballot by December 15.

Thank you to all who have voted and thank you in advance to those who plan to vote next year!

Kirk Buchner and Evan Nolan discuss the latest Hall of Fame related news. They look at the 2023 R&B HOF Class, and break down what is working and what isn't. They pay tribute to four HOFers, #JimBrown, #TinaTurner, #DoyleBrunson & #SuperstarBillyGraham. All this, and much more

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity. As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022 revision of our top 50 Cleveland Browns.

As for all of our top 50 players in football we look at the following:

1. Advanced Statistics.

2. Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.

3. Playoff accomplishments.

4. Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Browns were a trendy pick to make it to the Super Bowl, but not only did that not happen, they failed to make the playoffs. This did not impact a new entrant occurring as well as two significant elevations from occurring.

As always, we present our top five, which had no changes.

1. Jim Brown

2. Otto Graham

3. Joe Thomas

4. Lou Groza

5. Ozzie Newsomb

You can find the entire list here.

Joel Bitonio, who has starred on the Browns O-Line for the past half-decade, rocketed to #24 from #38.

Defensive End, Myles Garrett advances to #32 from 44.

Running Back, Nick Chubb, makes his first appearance at #44.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

A legend has left us, and while he was 87 years old, it could have been 1,000 and still felt too soon.

The man considered by many to be the finest football player that ever lived, Jim Brown, peacefully passed away last night.

Brown was a multi-sport superstar at the University of Syracuse, excelling not only on the gridiron, but in basketball, track and lacrosse.  A Unanimous All-American in 1956, the Cleveland Browns selected the Fullback with the sixth overall pick, and it is with the Browns where he spent the entirety of his nine-year career.

There had never been a more dominant offensive star in the NFL like Brown was. He won three MVPs and rushed for 12,313 yards, an inconceivable number for that time. Brown led the league in yards eight of the nine years he was in, was always chosen for the Pro Bowl, and he had 126 touchdowns in only 118 games.

Brown's rushing totals would be eclipsed, but the players who did it needed far more games. Brown is still the all-time leader in rushing yards per game (104.3), and in terms of his career numbers, Brown retired while still at the top of his game, so he could have easily padded his statistics had he continued to play.

Following his career, Brown became a successful actor, and was known for his work in the Civil Rights movement.  As important as he was on the field, Brown was just as vital off of it. 

His accolades include the College Football Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and membership to the NFL 50^th, 75^th and 100^th Anniversary Team.  Brown also had his number retired by both the Browns and the University of Syracuse.

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

Fullbacks are one of many vital positions in any good NFL team. Without a good fullback, a team might as well not be playing! A fully qualified quarterback can considerably increase a team’s NFL odds

The fullback is often referred to as the ‘muscle’ of a team. Fullback players are often incredibly powerful and muscular, and, as such can easily cut through an opposing team’s defenses, able to push through even the toughest tackles. 

There have been many fullback players over the years for many different teams, but only a few have ever etched their names in the NFL hall of fame. Let’s take a look at 8 of the best! 

#1 - Jim Brown:

Jim Brown has long been hailed as one of the greatest fullbacks in the history of the NFL. Over the course of his very extensive career, he was able to carry the ball over 2,000 times and carried it over a cumulative distance of 104 yards. 

He has even performed an incredible 106 touchdowns, an incredible hallmark for any player! 

#2 - Joe Perry:

Having played in both the world-famous San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Colts, Joe Perry has had an incredible career over his tenure in the sport. He played from 1948 until 1963, which was his final year, earning him an impressive 15 years in the sport! 

Joe Perry boasted an incredible build that allowed him to carve a path right through so many defensive strategies, this was most likely benefited by his time in the military, where he was first scouted for the 49ers!

#3 - Larry Csonka: 

Larry Csonka proved to be a vital part of his team the Miami Dolphins, and he was able to bring his absolute best to every single game he played. This earned him an incredible reputation that struck fear in opposing forces. 

In his time he was one of the largest and most imposing players on the field, which helped his team to earn an incredible number of career touchdowns! 

#4 - Larry Centers:

Catching is equally as important to a successful play in the NFL as actually touching the ball down, and no player understood this better than Larry Centers. 

He was able to catch pretty much any ball that was thrown his way, which made him the perfect fullback for his varying teams, which included the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and the Washington Redskins. 

He was definitely a player to keep your eye on!

#5 - Jim Taylor:

Jim Taylor was most likely amongst some of the first true NFL superstars thanks to his commanding presence which he boasted across the field from 1958 to 1967. 

He famously played for two teams, the Green Bay Packers, and the New Orleans Saints, and brought his formidable presence to them both, to lead them to many amazing victories!

#6 - John Riggins:

John Riggins was often famously referred to as “The Diesel”. This name was likely given to him as a result of the powerful and fast way in which he cut a course across the field. No players could compete against him, and any player that even attempted to tackle him would quickly be thrown to the wayside. 

John Riggins was definitely a spectacle who had to be witnessed first-hand to be truly appreciated! 

#7 - Bronko Nagurski:

Even in his early days in the sport, playing for university teams, Bronko Nagurski proved to be an absolutely commanding force.

He began his career with the Chicago Bears in 1930 and kept his incredible track record going for an impressive 13 years, until 1943. 

Upon finishing his career in the NFL, Bronko also went on to have a very healthy career in professional wrestling, benefited by his incredibly large and muscular physique. Within both sports, he was able to make an incredible name for himself and create a legacy that will last for many years to come!

#8 - John Henry Johnson:

John Henry Johnson proved to be an absolute game-changer. He made a considerable splash upon starting in the NFL, impressing onlookers with his incredible strength and speed. And on a game-to-game basis, his quick thinking and his incredible strength meant he was able to make game-saving or game-turning moves. 

John Henry Johnson has proven responsible for saving his team from enduring many losses, while also performing many tide-turning touchdowns that shook up the NFL rankings frequently.

John Henry Johnson played for the San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, making him one of the most prolific players of his generation. 

To Wrap Up:

The NFL has seen many incredible Fullbacks come and go, but none are perhaps so amazing and legendary as the eight players we explored above. The legacy of these players will definitely be felt for many more years in the NFL!

Jim Brown is a football god.  

We could end it here, but out of deference to the man we think is not only the most outstanding rusher in the history of the game but the best offensive player ever, we will go through all the reasons why Brown is the best player in franchise history.

An absolute beast at Syracuse, Cleveland was fortunate that Brown was still available with their Sixth Overall Pick in the 1957 Draft.  Brown was an instant star in the National Football League, winning the Rushing Title as a rookie and the Offensive Rookie of the Year and MVP.  Brown had a signature moment, rushing for a then-record 237 Yards, which stood tall for 14 years.  

As Brown’s second year approached, expectations were high, and the Fullback not only met them, he shattered them. Brown rushed for 1,527 Yards, destroying the record, and remember this was done in a 12-game season.  He also had a career-high 17 Touchdowns.  

Brown played until 1965, and every single year was his gridiron world; everyone else was living in it.  Playing nine seasons (all with Cleveland), Brown was a Pro Bowl in all of them and an eight-time First Team All-Pro and eight-time Rushing Title winner.  Even in the season, he did not win the Rushing Title (1962); he had career-bests in Receiving Yards (517) and Receiving Touchdowns (5).  It is not a miscalculation to say that Brown's ability and playing style changed the game of football forever.

In addition to his MVP as a rookie, Brown won two more (1958 & 1965) and arguably could have won more.  While the Browns only had one NFL Championship when he was there (1964), Cleveland went to two more Title Games (1957 & 1965), and his mere presence made the Browns an annual contender.

Perhaps the most impressive stat is that Brown had a career Approximate Value of 121 in 118 Games.  Only an elite player can average more than one AV/Game, but remember that Approximate Value was not calculable until 1960, meaning that his 121 AV is only through 82 of his Games!

Brown easily could have continued his career, as he was not yet 30 and was coming off another MVP, but he retired after the '65 campaign and sought a career in Hollywood.  He had 12,313 career Rushing Yards, which at the time was easily the most ever.  Several players have surpassed Brown since then, but they all needed many more games to do it.

Brown entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, and he was named to the 1960s All-Decade Team and 50^th, 75^th, and 100^th Anniversary Teams.  Brown's number 32 was retired by the team, and he was named to their Ring of Honor as part of the first group in 2010.