One of the greatest soccer players of all time has passed away.

Franz Beckenbauer, who led West Germany to a World Cup Championship in 1974, passed away at the age of 78.

From Munich, Beckenbauer won the 1972 and 1976 Balloon D’Or Award, and was the megastar for Bayern Munich from 1964 to 1977.  The man who pioneered the Sweeper position, Beckenbauer would also play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League 

Representing West Germany, “Der Kaiser” not only anchored his nation to a World Cup, but also struck Gold in the 1972 Euros.  Later, as a Coach, he helmed West Germany to another World Cup Trophy, this time in 1990.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Franz Beckenbauer.

Yesterday, the College Football Hall of Fame Championship was decided when the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies to win the National Championship, but as often, our focus with this day, ais the announcement of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class.

Selected were:

Players:

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, Wide Receiver, 2009-11.  Blackmon was the second player to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top Wide Receiver twice in a row (2010-11).  Finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2010, Blackmon was the first receiver to win the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, in a season that he amassed 1,782 Yards and 20 Touchdowns.  Totalling 3,584 Yards in 40 TDs over his three seasons with the Cowboys, Blackmon played two years in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Paul Cameron, UCLA, Tailback, 1951-53.  Cameron was a three-time all-conference player, who was sixth in Heisman voting in 1952, and third in 1953.  A versatile player, Cameron excelled at all aspects as offense, and was solid as a Defensive Back.  He would play briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers before playing three years in the Canadian Football League with the B.C. Lions.

Tim Couch, Kentucky, Quarterback, 1996-98.  Couch was the 1998 SEC Player of the Year while also finishing fourth for the Heisman.  A back-to-back Davey O’Brien Award Finalist, Couch threw for then SEC record 4,275 Yards, and compiled 8,435 Yards and 74 Touchdowns with the Wildcats.  He was later the number one pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns where he played until 2003.

Warrick Dunn, Florida State, Running Back, 1993-96.  Dunn was the first Seminole to rush for over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons, and had 3,959 Rushing Yards and 5,321 All-Purpose Yards with the Seminoles.  He also was fifth in Heisman voting in 1996.  Dunn, went on to have a long career in the NFL (Tampa Bay and Atlanta) where he won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year and earned three Pro Bowls.

Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Quarterback, 2006-09.  Edwards was a four-time All-American, who was the first player in Division I to throw for more than 10,000 Yards and rush for more than 4,000.  He later played four years in the NFL (Carolina and Cleveland), and later played in the CFL, winning a Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.

Deon Figures, Colorado, Cornerback, 1988 & 1990-92.  Figures won the Jim Thorpe Award, Jack Tatum Award and the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, and helped the Buffaloes win three Big Eight Championships.  Recording 13 Interceptions in Colorado, figures would become a First Round Draft Pick and played for Pittsburgh and Jacksonville.

Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh, Wide Receiver, 2003-03.  Fitzgerald made history in 2003 as the first sophomore to win the Walter Camp Player pf the Year in the same season he was also the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.  In his two seasons as a Panther, he caught 167 passes for 2,677 Yards and 34 Touchdowns.  Professionally, he played 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, won the Walter Payton Man of the Year, recorded 17,492 Yards and is a future first ballot of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Toby Gerhart, Stanford, Running Back, 2006-09.  In 2009, Gerhart won the Doak Walker Award, Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, and was the Heisman runner-up off of a 1,871 Yard/28 TD campaign.  Gerhart rushed for 3,522 Yards and 44 TDs overall with the Cardinal, and would play professionally for Minnesota and Jacksonville.

Dan Hampton, Arkansas, Defensive Tackle, 1975-78.  The 1978 SWC Defensive Player of the Year was part of some of the best Razorbacks teams of all-time.  Hampton later won a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears, and was a 2002 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Steve Hutchinson, Michigan, Offensive Guard, 1997-00.  Converting from the Defensive Line, Hutchinson was the 2000 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and became a First Round Pick.  Playing for Seattle, Minnesota and Tennessee, Hutchinson went to seven Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

Antonio Langham, Alabama, Cornerback, 1990-93.  A major part of the Crimson Tide’s National Championship in 1992, the three-time All-SEC selection won both the Jim Thorpe Award and Jack Tatum Award in 1993.  Still holding Alabama’s record for Interceptions with 19, he played seven years in the NFL with stops in Cleveland, Baltimore, San Francisco and New England.

Randy Moss, Marshall, Wide Receiver, 1996-97.  An All-American in both of his years at Marshall, Moss won the coveted Biletnikoff Award in 1997, and was fourth in Heisman voting.  With the Thundering Herd, Moss had 54 Touchdowns with 3,539 Yards, and went on to become the most exciting Wide Receivers in NFL history, earning six Pro Bowls, four First Team All-Pros, and an Offensive Rookie of the Year.  He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, and was named to the 100^th Anniversary All-Anniversary Team.

Julius Peppers, North Carolina, Defensive End, 1999-01.  In his final season at UNC, Peppers won the Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Bill Willis Trophy while recording 30.5 Sacks overall with the Tar Heels.  Peppers went on to have a phenomenal NFL career, playing for Carolina, Chicago and Green Bay and was named to nine Pro Bowls, and two All-Decade Teams.  He is up for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Finalist this year, and should go two-for-two.

Paul Posluszny, Penn State, Linebacker, 2003-06.  One of only two-time winners of the Chuck Bednarik Award (2005 & 2006), the former captain of the Nittany Lions was also the 2005 Butkus Award winner.  He also made school history as the first player to record three 100-tackle seasons.  Posluszny went to play 11 seasons in the NFL, split between Buffalo and Jacksonville.

Dewey Selmon, Oklahoma, Nose Guard, 1972-75.  Selmon was a two-time All-American who helped the Sooners win back-to-back championships in 1974 and 1975, and in the two years previous finish #2 and #3.  Twice an All-Big Eight Selection, Selmon had 325 Tackles and would have a seven-year career in the NFL with Tampa Bay and San Diego.

Alex Smith, Utah, Quarterback, 2002-04.  Smith went 21-1 as a starter for the Utes and would lead his school to two MWC Titles (2003 & 2004).  He was named the 2004 MVC Offensive Player of the Year was also fourth in Heisman voting.  Professionally, he had a long career, playing for San Francisco, Kansas City and Washington.

Kevin Smith, Texas A&M, Cornerback, 1988-91.  Smith was a three-time First Team SWC Selection, and had 20 Interceptions with the Aggies.  He played eight years with Dallas, winning three Super Bowls.

Chris Ward, Ohio State, Offensive Tackle, 1974-77.  A two-time All-American, Ward was on Buckeyes squads that finished #3, #4, #4 and #1 respectively.  He later played eight years in the NFL with the New York Jets, New Orleans, Miami and San Francisco.

Danny Woodhead, Chadron State, Running Back, 2004-07.  Arguably the best player in school history, Woodhead was a three-time All-American, two-time Division II MVP and three-time RMAC Offensive Player of the Year.  Professionally, he played for the New York Jets, New England, San Diego and Baltimore.

Coaches:

Mark Dantonio, 132-74. Cincinnati 2004-06, Michigan State 2007-19.  Dantonio was twice the Big Ten Coach of the Year, and led the Spartans to six Bowl wins.

Danny Hale, 213-69-1, West Chester 1984-88, Bloomsburg 1993-2012.  Hale won 11 PSAC Titles and was the AFCA District I Coach of the Year nine times.

Frank Solich, 173-101, Nebraska 1998-2003, Ohio 2005-20.  Solich’s 115 Wins give him the most in MAC history, and he led the Bobcats to four MAC East Division Titles. 

We here at Notinhalloffame.co would like to congratulate the members of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class.

Signed as an International Free Agent form Curacao in 2013, Ozzie Albies made his first appearance as an August callup in 2017, and the Braves organization knew he was there to stay.

Playing at Second Base, Albies took over as the starter, and was an All-Star in 2018, smacking 24 Home Runs with 167 Hits.  Albies missed out on the All-Star in 2019, but he was much better, matching his previous 24 HR mark, batted .299, and led the National League in Hits (189).  He earned his first Silver Slugger, a nice consolation for missing out on the All-Star.

After a decent 2020, Albies went back to the All-Star Game, and in the absence of the injured Ronald Acuna, he led Atlanta to victory in the World Series.  It was a sweet season for Albies, who also had his first 30HR/100RBI year, added a second Silver Slugger, and was 13^th in MVP voting with an All-MLB 2 roster spot.

It was Albies turn to visit the IR in 2022, playing only 64 Games after suffering multiple injuries, but he was healthy in 2023, again securing an All-MLB 2 spot, and All-Star, and his best power numbers to date (33 HR, 106 RBI, .513 SLG). 

After a down 2024 where he fought injuries, a return to hiis past glory could be possible in 2025.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Monday.

Here is the sixth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 78 Cup Points:  38 Games, 24 G, 31 A, 55 P, +11, 6.8 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (189), is third in Points (55), sixth in Goals (24), and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart, but if not, maybe his first NIHOF Cup?

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  71 Cup Points, 40 Games, 28 G, 39 A, 67 P, -3, 7.7 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross.  He is leading the NHL in Points (67) and is second in Goals (28) and third in Assists (39).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 63 Cup Points:  33 Games, 30 G, 15 A, 45 P, +7, 6.0 PS. (#3 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top goal-scorer, holding the lead in that (30) and Even-Strength Goals (22).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy, though Kucherov is closing in fast.

4 (TIE). Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 60 Cup Points:  40 Games, 21 G, 24 A, 45 P, +7, 5.4 PS (#4 Last Week)

Forsberg is off to the best start of his career and should make his second All-Star Game, though other than Even-Strength Goals (2^nd with 19) and Game-Winning Goals (3^rd with 5), he is not in the top ten in any major offensive category. 

4 (TIE). Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers.  58 Cup Points, 38 Games, 25 G, 30 A, 55 P, +2, 6.5 PS. (#10 Last Week)

Panarin returns to the top ten, and is strange to think that he fell out of it at all.  The Russian Left Wing is third in Points (55), fourth in Goals (25), and tenth in Assists (30), and is poised to have his best goal-scoring campaign to date.

5.  Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, 59 Cup Points:  40 Games, 22 G, 43 A, 65 P, +9, 7.1 PS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

MacKinnon returns to the top ten as his teammate, Mikko Rantanen fell off.  He took over the league-lead in Assists (43) and is second in Points (65), and eighth in Goals (22). 

7 (TIE). Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 58 Cup Points:  34 Games, 13 4, 40 A, 54 P, +10, 5.6 PS.  (#8 Last Week)

The Edmonton Oilers have been a disappointment thus far, and McDavid has not been lighting the lamp like he did last year, but he has however been a great playmaker, and is second in Assists (40) and fifth in Points (54).  Can he make it back to the top of the mountain?

7. (TIE). Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers, 58 Cup Points:  39 Games, 28 G, 22 A, 50 P, +17, 7.0 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Currently having the best year of his life, Reinhart is the current leader in Power Play Goals (13), Game-Winning Goals (7). and Shooting Percentage (27.7), and is also second in Goals (28), and eighth in Points (50).  Historically a good player, Reinhart has never had a first half like this before.

9. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 56 Cup Points:  22 Games, 22 G, 19 A, 41 P, +14, 5.4 PS.  (Not on the Top Ten Last Week)

We have to admit we are happy to see Sidney Crosby in the top ten, as even though “Sid the Kid” is over 35, but this is a legend!  Crosby is eighth in Goals (22) and ninth in Even Strength Goals (16) as of this writing.

10. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs, 55 Cup Points:  37 Games, 21 G, 33 A, 54 P, +5, 5.9 PS.  (Not Ranked in the Top Ten Last Week)

Matthews is the star of the Leafs, by Nylander might be the top player this year.  He is currently fifth in Points and seventh in Assists (33).

Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen, Nashville’s Juuse Saros and New Jersey’s Jack Hughes fell out of the top ten.  Notably, we have no Goalies in the top ten for the first time.

Our next update will be next Monday.