The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 54 Semi-Final Candidates in the Seniors. Coaches and Contributor categories.

Selected by the Hall’s 12-person committee (one for Seniors and one for Coaches/Contributors)

The names chosen will be put forth towards the selection committee and will vote to send 12 Seniors and 12 Coaches/Contributors to the Finals.  Those names will be chosen this month and announced on July 27.

Following that, the Seniors Committee will meet on August 16, with three being put forth as Finalists.  The Coach/Contributor committee will meet on August 23, and will select one in that category.

Here are the Player Semi-Finalists:

Ken Anderson (Quarterback, 1971-1986):  Playing his entire career with Cincinnati, Anderson led them to their first Super Bowl appearance and individually was a four-time Pro Bowl.  Anderson was a Finalist in 1996 and 1998.

Maxie Baughan (Linebacker, 1960-1970, 1974):  Chosen for nine Pro Bowls, Baughan played for Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Washington.  A member of the 1960 Eagles NFL Championship team as a rookie, Baughan has never been a Finalist for the Hall.

 
Mark Clayton (Wide Receiver, 1983-1993):  Clayton played all but his final year with the Miami Dolphins, and he went to five Pro Bowls.  He has never been a Finalist.

 
Roger Craig (Running Back, 1983-1993):  Craig made history as the first NFL player to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season and he won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. Craig went to four Pro Bowls, won the 1988 Offensive Player of the Year, and is a two-time Finalist.

LaVern Dilweg (End, 1926-1934):  Dilweg was named first-team All-Pro for his first five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, and he helped lead them to three NFL Championships. He was a Finalist in 2020.

Randy Gradishar (Linebacker, 1974-1983):  The heart of the “Orange Crush Defense,” Gradishar played all 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos, seven of which earned him a Pro Bowl nod.  He won the 1978 AP Defensive Player of the Year and he was a Finalist three times.

Lester Hayes (Cornerback, 1977-1986):  Hayes was a five-time Pro Bowler for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, spending his entire 10-year career with the squad.  He was a Finalist four times previously.

Chris Hinton (Guard/Tackle, 1983-1995): A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Hinton played for Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings.  He has never been a Finalist.

Chuck Howley (Linebacker, 1958-59, 1961-1973): Howley is the only player to win a Super Bowl MVP on a losing team (Super Bowl VI), and he was a six-time Pro Bowler who played most of his career with Dallas.  He has never been a Finalist.

Cecil Isbell (Tailback/Defensive Back/Halfback, 1938-1942): Isbell played all of his career with Green Bay, where he was a one-time NFL Champion and four-time Pro Bowl selection.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Joe Jacoby (Tackle, 1981-1993): During his 13-year tenure with the Washington Redskins (1981-1993), Jacoby won three Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl for four consecutive years (1983-86).  He was a Finalist three times.

Billie “White Shoes” Johnson (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner, 1974-1980, 1982-88): A prolific returner over his 14 season, Johnson went to three Pro Bowls and is a Finalist for the first time. 

Mike Kenn (Tackle, 1978-1994): Kenn played all 17 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, and he is a six-time Pro Bowler.  He has never been a Finalist.  

Joe Klecko (Defensive End/Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle, 1977-1988): A member of the famed “New York Sack Exchange,” Klecko played all of his career with the New York Jets.  Klecko went to four Pro Bowls, and was the 1981 UPI Defensive Player of the Year.  He has never been a Finalist.

Bob Kuechenberg (Guard/Tackle/Center, 1970-1983):  Kuechenberg spent the entirety of his 14-year career as a member of the Dolphins, where he went to six Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist eight times.

George Kunz (Tackle, 1969-1978, 1980): Kunz was named to the Pro Bowl seven times splitting his career between Atlanta and Baltimore. He has yet to be a Finalist.

Jim Marshall (Defensive End, 1960-1979): A Minnesota Viking for most of his career, Marshall’s 282 consecutive games played are the most by a defensive player, and his streak is 58 games longer than the next closest defensive lineman. A member of the Vikings famed “Purple People Eaters” Marshall went to two Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist once before.

Clay Matthews Jr. (Linebacker, 1978-1996): Matthews played most of his career with the Cleveland Browns and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He was a Finalist once in 2021.

Eddie Meador (Cornerback, 1959-1970): Meador played his entire career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned six Pro Bowls. Meador’s 48 Interceptions remain a franchise record, but he has never been a Hall of Fame Finalist. 

Stanley Morgan (Wide Receiver, 1977-1990): Morgan went to four Pro Bowls and is still the all-time Patriots leader in Receiving Yards.  He has never been a Finalist.

Tommy Nobis (Linebacker, 1966-1976):  Atlanta’s first ever Draft Pick, Nobis won the NFL Rookie of the Year and went to five Pro Bowls.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

                                                                      
Ken Riley (Cornerback, 1969-1983): Riley played his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded 65 career interceptions, more than any other player not already in the Hall of Fame. He has yet to be a Finalist.

Sterling Sharpe (Wide Receiver, 1988-1994): Sharpe made five Pro Bowls and his Hall of Fame ring was likely delayed by severe injuries.  He has never been a Finalist.

Otis Taylor (Wide Receiver, 1965-1975): Taylor won a Super Bowl IV ring with the Kansas City Chiefs, and earned two Pro Bowl selections, an AFL All-Star selection and two AFL Championships during his 10-year career.  He has never been a Finalist.

Everson Walls (Cornerback, 1981-1993):  Walls played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he went to four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in interceptions three times while in Dallas. He finished his career with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns and helped New York to victory in Super Bowl XXV.  He was a Finalist in 2018.

Here are the Coach/Contributor Semi-Finalists:

Bud Adams: In his 54 years as Founder, Owner, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams was an enduring figure in the NFL, and a Finalist in 2020.

Roone Arledge:  Arledge was a powerful television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.  He was the brainchild behind Monday Night Football, and has never been a Finalist.

C.O. Brocato:  A former scout for 40 years with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Brocato has never been a Finalist.

Don Coryell: Known for his innovative “Air Coryell” offense was the prototype for today’s modern offense.  He has been a Finalist six times.

Otho Davis: Davis served as associate athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts in 1971 and the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1995.  He has never been a Finalist.

Ralph Hay:  Hay was the Owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922 and hosted the NFL’s formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Mike Holmgren: The Head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992-98 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2008, Holmgren was a Finalist in 2020.

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy:  Kilroy worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots’ general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.  An outstanding player in his own right, Kilroy has a Finalist in 2020.

Eddie Kotal:  A former Scout for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947-1961, Kotal was one of the first to scout Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  He has never been a Finalist.

Robert Kraft: Kraft is the current Owner, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls.  Kraft has never been a Finalist.

Rich McKay:  McKay was the General Manager for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-2003) and the Atlanta Falcons (2003-08) and is still their President and CEO.  He has never been a Finalist.

John McVay: McVay joined the 49ers in 1979 as the team's director of player personnel and spent 21 seasons with the Club, ultimately presiding over five Super Bowl-winning seasons as vice president/director of football operations.  He has never been a Finalist.

Art Modell:  Modell was the Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2011.  He has been a Finalist twice.

Clint Murchison:  Murchison was the founder of the Dallas Cowboys (1960) and owner through 1983.  He has never been a Finalist.

Buddy Parker: Parker was the Head Coach of the Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1964), and a Finalist in 2020.

Carl Peterson: Peterson was the President, General Manager and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-2008.  He has never been a Finalist.

Dan Reeves:  Reeves was the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos (1981-1992), New York Giants (1993-96) and the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003), and was a Finalist in 2020.

Lee Remmel: Remmel was a sportswriter and columnist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette for 29 years, Green Bay Packers director of public relations from 1974 to 2004 and Packers historian from 2004-07.  He has never been a Finalist.

Art Rooney Jr.:  Employed with the Steelers since 1961, from 1964 through 1986, worked in the Steelers’ Scouting Department, Rooney is currently a Steelers Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.  He has never been a Finalist.

Marty Schottenheimer:  The former Head coach of the Cleveland Browns (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1998), Washington Redskins (2001) and the San Diego Chargers (2002-06), Schottenheimer has never been a Finalist.

Jerry Seeman:  Seeman was a Line Judge, Head Linesman, Referee and Director of Officiating from 1975-2000.  He has never been a Finalist.

Mike Shanahan:  Shanahan was the Head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and the Washington Redskins (2010-13).  He has never been a Finalist.

Clark Shaughnessy:  The former Head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 1948-49 and longtime assistant coach for the Washington Redskins from 1944-47 and Chicago Bears from 1951-1962.  He was a three-time Finalist.

Seymour Siwoff:  Siwoff was the Owner and President of Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the NFL, from 1952 until his death in 2019.  He was a Finalist in 2020.

Amy Trask: Trask was the CEO of the Oakland Raiders from 1997-2013, becoming the first woman in that capacity.

Jim Tunney: An NFL official from 1960-1991, he worked as a Field Judge from 1960-67 and a Referee from 1968-1991.

Jack Vainisi:  Vaisini was a Scout for the Green Bay Packers from 1950-1960 as well as their Business Manager from 1959-1960.

Lloyd Wells: Wells was a Scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1963-1974 and was the first full-time African American scout in the NFL.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made it this far.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is news to us that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced three new members into their franchise Hall of Fame.

Fred Reid, Running Back (2007-11).  Reid played his college ball at Mississippi State, and he was a three-time East Division All-Star and one-time CFL All-Star.  With the Blue Bombers, Reid rushed for 4,505 Yards, compiled another 810 in the air, and had 23 Touchdowns for the team.  

Gavin Walls, Defensive End (2005-10).  From Arkansas, Walls was the 2005 CFL Rookie of the Year and was a three-time All-Star.  He recorded 47 Sacks for the team.

Lynn Bishop, Builder.  Bishop joined the Blue Bombers Board of Directors in 1993 and he became the team’s President three years later.  Under his watch, there were multiple improvements made in regards to facilities and infrastructure.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the impending members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hall of Fame. 

Tremaine Edmunds came to the NFL in 2018 from Virgina Tech as a First Round Pick to the Buffalo Bills and like the Bills hoped would provide a strong presence in the defensive interior for years.

Edmunds wasn't an All-Rookie, (although he had a good year), bit his second and third years were amongst the best in franchise history of any Linebacker.  He went to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020, and looked like he would take his skills to the next level, though he regressed in the two years after.  Edmunds departed for Chicago as a Free Agent in 2023.

Following the retirement of Jim Kelly, the Buffalo Bills have been hunting for a superstar Quarterback.  It took decades, but it finally came in the form of the dual threat pivot from Wyoming named Josh Allen.

Allen was brought along slowly in his rookie season, eventually winning the starting job during the campaign, but he entered 219 as their starter, and while he was not yet an upper-tier QB, he did enough to bring Buffalo to their first playoffs in years.  Buffalo would then have an elite pivot the year after.

Allen went to the Pro Bowl in 2020, throwing for 4,544 Yards and 37 Touchdowns.  The runner-up for the MVP, Allen had a 13-3 record and brought Buffalo to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1990s.  Allen did not make the Pro Bowl in 2022, but he had similar numbers as he did the previous year, and he was the NFL leader in Approximate Value (19).  Furthermore, he took the Bills to the Conference Finals.  2023 was another great year for Allen, who took Buffalo back to the playoffs while adding another Pro Bowl.  He also was third in MVP voting, and for the second year in a row, topped the NFL in Approximate Value (20).

As of this writing, Allen is one of the game’s most exciting players, and could be a future Hall of Famer.