1988 PRELIMINARY RESULTS:

Thank you to all who participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project. If you are still determining what that is, we acted like the PFHOF had its first class in January 1946.

We have completed the first 42 years.

For “1988,” a Preliminary Vote with close to 100 players whose playing career ended by 1982. We also follow the structure in which players have 20 years of eligibility, and if they do not make it into the Hall, they are relegated to the Senior Pool.

Each voter was asked to select 25 names from the preliminary list, and the top 25 vote-getters were named Semi-Finalists.

A week later, the voters will be asked to select 15 names from the 25 Semi-Finalists and then choose five from the remaining 15. We will continue this process every week until we catch up to the current year.

Please note that a significant change occurred “years ago,” allowing voters to submit fewer than the allotted spots. 

31 Votes took place.

This is for the “Modern Era”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates they have been removed from future ballots

This is for the Senior Era

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

We also held a vote asking whether those who fall off the Coaches/Contributors Ballot after 20 years should receive a second chance on the Seniors Ballot.  You voted 23 to 8 in favor of giving them a second chance.

Next week, we will announce the Semi-Finalists for the 1988 Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project.

R.J. Barrett, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, and grew up in Mississauga, finally returned to his home region when the Toronto Raptors acquired him mid-season during the 2023-24 campaign. The Canadian wing immediately embraced the role of the homegrown star, finding renewed confidence and improved efficiency by averaging over 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the team through the end of that season, a performance he has largely sustained into the 2025-26 season. Barrett has openly spoken about the pride and increased passion he feels playing for his hometown franchise, with fans and the organization viewing him as a central piece of their future and a symbol of Canadian basketball excellence. 

Aaron Wiggins has cemented his status as the ultimate unsung hero of the Thunder's dynasty, evolving from the 55th overall pick into a vital rotation piece famously dubbed "The Man Who Saved Basketball." After signing a five-year, $47 million extension in the summer of 2024, Wiggins rewarded the franchise's faith by delivering elite efficiency during the 2024–25 championship season, often acting as the stable "connector" in lineups featuring stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. His ability to impact the game without dominating the ball was on full display during the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, where his timely cutting and reliable perimeter shooting—including crucial buckets in the pivotal Game 5—helped secure the franchise's first title in Oklahoma City. Now a solidified champion, Wiggins remains the epitome of the Thunder's development success story, bridging the gap between a meme-worthy fan favorite and a high-stakes winning contributor.

Luguentz Dort has evolved from an undrafted free agent in 2019 to the Thunder's longest-tenured player and defensive backbone. Signed initially to a two-way contract, Dort quickly earned a standard deal and gained recognition for his tenacious perimeter defense, famously locking down James Harden during the 2020 playoffs. His hallmark is his exceptional strength and versatility, earning him the nickname "the Dorture Chamber" and culminating in an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in the 2024–25 season, the same year he captured his first NBA championship with the Thunder. Having signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract in 2022, Dort remains a crucial component of the team's young core, providing elite defense and timely three-point shooting despite facing recent injury hurdles at the start of the 2025–26 season.