Here we are!

If you have been following our Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project, you know that we have asked the rhetorical question…what if the PFHOF began in January of 1946?

After soliciting and obtaining a passionate group of football fans and historians, we sent out a ballot for a Preliminary Vote, which we asked each voter to give us 25 names as their semi-finalists, and 5 in the Senior Pool. Following that, we 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 5 Modern Era inductees and 1 Senior inductee.

Below, are the final results of this project based on 28 votes:

This is for the “Modern Era”

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1946:

This is for the “Senior Era”

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1946:

About the 1946 Inductees:

Jim Thorpe TB-E-FB, CAN 1920 & 1926, CLE 1921, OOR 1922-23, RI 1924-25, NYG 1925, CRD 1926: Inducted in 1946 on the 1^st Ballot (technically his 15^th year of eligibility). Was inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Before the National Football League was even conceived, Thorpe was already one America’s most celebrated athletes. A two-time Gold Medalist (although his awards were stripped, and then posthumously returned) at the 1912 Olympic winning the Pentathlon and Decathlon, Thorpe would later play professional baseball, appearing in games for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Braves. A superstar at Carlisle in every sport he tried, Thorpe first played professionally for the Pine Village Pros, and would sign with the Canton Bulldogs in 1915, where he would lead them to three league titles. The Bulldogs would become a charter member of the American Professional Football Association (renamed the National Football League in 1922), and Thorpe, while still playing, was named the institution’s inaugural President. He played for six different teams in the NFL, and was named to the 1920’s All-Decade Team.

Red Grange HB-BB-DB-TB, CHI 1925 & 1928-34, NYY 1927: Inducted in 1946 on the 1^st Ballot (technically his 12^th year of eligibility). Was inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

As hard as it is for most of us to imagine, in the early days of the National Football League, many college players (even the elite) did not go on to play pro football. Knowing that he needed a big-ticket player, Chicago Bears Player/Owner, George Halas, coerced the star at the University of Illinois, to join the Bears ten days after his last college game. Grange helped place the Bears on the map, and while he was there briefly in his first run (signing with the New York Yankees in 1927, for a year) he came back in 1929, playing for Chicago until 1934, where he was a defensive stud in his latter years. Grange was a mega-star in Chicago, and arguably he was the first mainstream football star.

George Halas E, CHI 1920-28: Inducted in 1946 on the 1^st Ballot (technically his 13^th year of eligibility). Was inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 as a Coach/Owner.

In 1963, Halas was inducted into the PFHOF, but as a contributor. We will have a similar section, but that won’t begin until 1950, so this induction for his work as a player. The 1919 Rose Bowl MVP as a member of the Illinois Fighting Illinois, would play first professionally for the Hammond All-Stars, before he began work for A.E. Staley Company, and was the Player Coach for the Decatur Staleys. Halas represented the Staleys in the meeting that formed the NFL in 1920, and they became a charter team in the league. Augustus Staley, the owner of the team, turned control over to the team to Halas in 1921, who relocated the team to Chicago, and the Bears as we know it came to fruition. On the gridiron, Halas was named an All-Decade player who excelled on both ends of the ball. The man who would become “Papa Bear” led Chicago to their first NFL Championship in 1921, and would overall guide the Bears to eight titles.

Curly Lambeau TB-FB-BB-E, GNB 1921-29: Inducted in 1946 on the 1^st Ballot (technically his 12^th year of eligibility). Was inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 as an Owner/Coach.

Like Halas, Lambeau enters the PFHOF Revisited Hall as a player, despite his Canton resume placing him as a coach. As a player, Lambeau was excellent throwing for 24 Touchdowns and rushed for another eight, and he played until 1929, while also coaching the team. In his last year as a player/coach (1929), Lambeau took Green Bay to their first NFL Championship. Lambeau focused strictly on coaching, and he would take Green Bay to five more Championships (1930, 1931, 1936, 1939 & 1944). He would be named to the 1920s All-Decade Team.

Fritz Pollard TB-BB-WB, AKR 1920-21 & 1925-26, MIL 1922, HAM 1923 & 1925, PRV 1925: Inducted in 1946 on the 1^st Ballot (technically his 17^th year of eligibility). Was inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

It took Pollard until 2005 to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he enters here in 1946, though we know that this is very much with modern eyes. We say that as in 1946, the NFL had no African-American players, and a voting body that might have existed back then might not have voted for Pollard. But this is the PFHOF Revisited! Pollard was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, having starred at Brown where he led them to a Rose Bowl in 1915. Following military service, Pollard joined the Akron Pros, a charter member of what would become the NFL, and was one of two black players in the league. Pollard led the Pros to the first league championship, and the following year, he was a co-coach, making him the first African-American to coach in the league. Throughout the early 1920s, accounts stated that he was among the fastest runners in the league, and he constantly outran his opponents. After the 1926 Season, the five black players in the NFL were no longer used in what could best be described as an unofficial ban. Pollard continued to play and coach in non-NFL leagues.

Pudge Heffelfinger: Inducted in 1946 on the 1^st Senior Ballot. Was never inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A valid criticism of the PFHOF is that it has taken little account to those who laid professional football’s groundwork. This is rectified here with the first Senior inductee, Pudge Heffelfinger, the first man to paid for playing football in 1892 by the Allegheny Athletic Association. A three-time All-American at Yale and inaugural member of the College Football Hall of Fame, is recognized as one of the premier football players of the early 1890s, and though somebody always has to be first, they aren’t always great. Heffelfinger was great!

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 New England Patriots.

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.

The Patriots were not a playoff team in 2022, and no players had an elevation based on the season. Saying that, we always recognize that the past year was counted in the overall rank.

As always, we present our top five, which (obviously) did not change.

1. Tom Brady

2. John Hannah

3. Rob Gronkowski

4. Andre Tippett

5. Mike Haynes

You can find the entire list here.

It is worth noting that 10-time Pro Bowl Special Teams player, Matthew Slater, was unable to advance from his rank of #23.

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

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 Minnesota Vikings.

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 Vikings had an excellent regular season, but were unable to go deep into the playoffs. There were three new elevations and one new entrant based on the 2022 Season.

As always, we present our top five, which was not affected by the last season:

1. Alan Page

2. Fran Tarkenton

3. Randall McDaniel

4. Carl Eller

5. Mick Tingelhoff

You can find the entire list here.

Safety, Harrison Smith, inched up one rung to #29.

Running Back, and (as of this writing) Free Agent, Dalvin Cook, advanced nine spots to #32.

Defensive End, Danielle Hunter climbed up four spots to #36.

Quarterback, Kirk Cousins, who added his third Pro Bowl in Minnesota went from #48 to #43.

The new entrant is Linebacker, Eric Kendricks, who is now with the Los Angeles Chargers. He enters at #50.

It is notable that Wide Receiver, Justin Jefferson, just missed out on a spot despite only playing three seasons.

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

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.