There’s going to be a big celebration in Canton, Ohio next year. Here’s a look at what Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 should look like.
No, it’s not Zager and Evans fabled hit “In the Year 2525.” It’s actually the start of a new decade that begins in less than two weeks. And for our purposes in terms of football history, it will be in 2020 that the Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates a 100th anniversary.
This year, the NFL is honoring its Season No. 100. And there is a difference, as I was personally reminded of a year ago. To make next August and September even more special there will be 10 players, two coaches and three contributors (aka the “Centennial Slate”) joining the five modern-era players to make up the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Call it 20 Something.
On Thursday, the Hall announced the finalists in terms of 20 players, eight coaches and 10 contributors who will be pared down to make up the aforementioned Centennial Slate. Keep in mind that the modern-era player finalists won’t be announced until Jan. 2. So when it comes to this exercise, the focus will be the 15 members of the Centennial Slate.
On another personal note, I have been watching professional football since 1969 (Super Bowl IV is my first memory of an NFL contest) and have been covering the game professionally since 1983. My love and passion for the history of the game is something I take a lot of pride in. I’ve also been fortunate enough to attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement annually (with a few exceptions) dating back to 1989. I’ve worked with and spoken to many Hall of Fame voters over the years and fully understand how difficult the decisions are every year.
A little over a year ago, I penned a piece for FanSided called “Each NFL team’s biggest Hall of Fame omission.” And I still firmly believe that four of the men I mentioned (who are among the 20 finalists) – wide receiver Cliff Branch, running back Roger Craig and linebackers Randy Gradishar and Tommy Nobis – should be enshrined in Canton.
As for the six other players, doing one’s homework is certainly important when it comes to particular players from the pro game’s early days. And keep in mind that this is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which means above and beyond the National Football League. The choices here are wide receivers Harold Carmichael and Drew Pearson, Green Bay Packers’ end Bobby Dillon (52 interceptions in eight seasons) and hard-hitting Steelers’ safety Donnie Shell (70 takeaways in 14 seasons). Also, a pair of legends from the 1940s in end Mac Speedie and defender Ed Sprinkle.
The eight men selected as the eight coaching finalists – Don Coryell, Bill Cowher, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves and Dick Vermeil – all have incredible resumes. Coryell’s impact on offense is hard to ignore and years with the Cardinals and Chargers produced some of the most exciting football in league history. Flores won a pair of Super Bowls with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
In 1980, the Silver and Black became the first wild card team to host the Lombardi Trophy. Johnson not only led the Cowboys to back-to-back Super Bowl titles but some would say he was even better and discovering talent. Holmgren led both the Packers and Seahawks to Super Bowls, won a title in Green Bay in 1996 and it’s hard to forget his early days with the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant.
This may be the toughest category of them all given the choices. It won’t be a surprise to see all of these men with busts in Canton one day but for now, the edge goes to Coryell and Flores.
In terms of contributors, it’s hard to ignore the accomplishments of any of the 10 finalists. Frank “Bucko” Kilroy work in the game spanned nearly 50 years as a scout, general manager and more with Eagles, Redskins, Cowboys and Patriots. What would the history of the NFL be without Steve Sabol, whose father Ed was a member of the Class of 2011. And longtime general manager George Young was instrumental in the successes of the Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.
Regardless of who is elected in 2020, the debates will continue and the word “snub” will be thrown out. No doubt that the list of 20 Senior Finalists has already been met with skepticism due to the fact that there are familiar names not among those chosen. And there are those who will also throw out the ridiculous notion that the Hall lacks credibility because certain people are not in. But that’s the nature of a subjective topic such as who is the best ever at their craft.