The Pro Football Hall of Fame names the Class of 2024
We love this week.
As all football fans are pumped for this Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, we get most excited for the Pro Football Honors, which not only gives out the end of season awards, but the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The Hall selected seven names, five modern (Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, and Patrick Willis) and two Senior (Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael).
Dwight Freeney is a surprise entering on his second year. The Defensive End won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts, and spent most of his career there, where he earned seven Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pros. Last year, he was in the 10-15 category, and jumped not only fellow pass rusher, Jared Allen, but a few others.
Devin Hester gets in year three, and the member of the NFL 100th Anniversary Team likely will be the last player inducted whose main contribution was a returner. We are unlikely to ever see anyone follow in his footsteps.
Andre Johnson is this year’s Wide Receiver and arguably, he might have received the spot that Tight End, Antonio Gates was expected to get. Nevertheless, the position of WR will be clogged for some time, and Johnson is worthy with stats and accolades.
Julius Peppers was ranked #1 when he debuted last year as an eligible player, and the Carolina legend has arrived to Canton in year one. A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks spread over a career with Carolina, Chicago and Green Bay. This was the easiest one to call.
Patrick Willis finally gets in after (we felt) he was jumped by Bryant Young. The Linebacker played only eight years (all in San Francisco) where he was a Pro Bowl in seven and First Team All-Pro in five of them. This is was his fifth year on the ballot.
Randy Gradishar finally gives the Orange Crush Hall of Fame representation. The former Defensive Player of the Year was. Two-time Finalist as a Modern Candidate and is also was a Finalist in the Centennial Class. This was a long time coming and the most rewarding (for us) of all the Finalists).
Steve McMichael was a member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl Championship team, and is battling ALS. We are hopeful that he will be able to attend the ceremony.
Arguably the biggest surprise on the modern side was Tight End, Antonio Gates, who many pegged as a First Ballot entry. He will get in soon, just not on year one.
While Johnson enters, fellow Wide Receivers, Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne remain on the wait list after they were passed Houston’s first inductee.
Also failing to advance are Eric Allen (Cornerback), Jared Allen (Defensive End), Jahri Evans (Guard), Rodney Harrison (Safety), Fred Taylor (Running Back) and Darren Woodson.
The Senior category was where the biggest surprise, as they turned down Coach nominee, Buddy Parker, and Senior Player nominee, Art Powell. Both failed to get the necessary 80 percent, and as per Clark Judge, the Parker discussion was over an hour. With Parker’s multiple titles, his omission feels callous.
What the 12-person Senior Committee has to feel at this time that much of their effort was wasted to put forth four candidates, only to see half of them rejected.
Next month, we will begin work on revising the Notinhalloffame.com Football List, where we rank those who are eligible and worthy of consideration.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the impending members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The PFHOF names Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell as the 2024 Senior Finalists
The 2023 Pro Football Season will begin shorty, but a major step in the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame process occurred today with the announcement of Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell as this year’s Finalists. They join Buddy Parker, who advanced days ago as the Coaches/Contributor Finalist.
Randy Gradishar: Linebacker, DEN 1974-83. Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com. This was a long time coming for Gradishar, who was twice a Modern Era Finalist (2003 & 2008), and was a Senior Finalist in the 2020 Centennial Class. Gradishar was the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year and would collect seven Pro Bowls. He is also a two-time First Team All-Pro. If Gradishar goes through (and he likely will), it will end the drought for the Super Bowl XII participants, as they are the only team to participate in the Super Bowl in the 1900s that have no Hall of Fame representatives.
Steve McMichael: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle, NWE 1980, CHI 1981-93 & GNB 1994: Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com. McMichael, who has ALS, has seen his disease take a turn for the worse, and bluntly, he does not have much time left. This likely explains Mongo’s rapid ascension here, as he has never been a Semi-Finalist of any sort since this year. He won a Super Bowl with Chicago and was a two-time Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro.
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. Powell is a surprise, as it looked like this spot might go to either Wistert, Baughan or maybe Sharpe. Twice leading the AFL in rushing, Powell was a five-time AFL All-Star and two-time First Team All-Pro.
These selections mean that the following did not make the cut.
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.
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.
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.
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 does not guarantee induction, but recent history dictates that they will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate all the Finalists for the 2024 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Announced their Senior and Coach/Contributor Finalists
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.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Names The 2024 Semi-Finalists for the Seniors and Coach/Contributor Categories
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Season has begun as they have announced the Semi-Finalists for the Senior and Coaches/Contributor categories for the Class of 2024.
The 12-Person Senior Committee named 31 Semi-Finalists.
The 12-Person Coach/Contributor Committee named 29 Semi-Finalists.
The results of these committees will be revealed on July 27.
Here are the nominees:
Senior Committee Nominees:
Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86: Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.
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.
Maxie Baughan: Linebacker, PHI 1960-65, LAR 1966-70 & WAS 1972. Ranked #14 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.
Roger Craig: Running Back, SF 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93: Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver, RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NWE 1998: Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Randy Gradishar: Linebacker, DEN 1974-83. Ranked #2 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.
Joe Jacoby: Offensive Lineman, WAS 1981-93: Ranked #41 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.
Albert Lewis: Cornerback, KAN 1983-93 & RAI/OAK 1994-98: Ranked #129 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.
Steve McMichael: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle, NWE 1980, CHI 1981-93 & GNB 1994: Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Eddie Meador: Cornerback & Safety, RAM 1959-70. Ranked #81 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.
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.
Sterling Sharpe: Wide Receiver, GNB 1988-94: Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve Tasker: Special Teams, HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97: Ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: Wide Receiver & Flanker, KAN 1965-75: Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Everson Walls: Cornerback, DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93: Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Al Wistert: Tackle, Guard & Defensive End, 1943-51: Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The Coach/Contributor Finalists are:
Bud Adams Jr.
Roone Arledge
C.O. Brocato
Tom Coughlin
Alex Gibbs
Ralph Hay
Mike Holmgren
Bucko Kilroy
Eddie Kotal
Robert Kraft
Elmer Layden
Jerry Markbreit
Virginia McCaskey
Rich McKay
John McVay
Art Modell
Buddy Parker
Carl Peterson
Dan Reeves
Art Rooney Jr.
Marty Schoenheimer
Jerry Seeman
George Seifert
Mike Shanahan
Clark Shaughnessy
Seymour Siwoff
Jim Tunney
Lloyd Wells
John Wooten