1999 Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project Class.

Here we are!  Again!!

If you have been following our Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project, you know we have asked the question: What if the PFHOF had begun in January 1946?

After soliciting and obtaining a passionate group of football fans and historians, we sent out a ballot for a Preliminary Vote, in which each voter selected 25 names as their semi-finalists and five names for the Senior Pool. 

We then 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 five Modern Era inductee and one Senior inductee.

This is the result of the 54th official class. 

Below are the final results of this project based on 30 votes.

Remember that we have reverted back to the top five candidates entering the Hall in the Modern Era

This is for the “Modern Era”

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1999:

This is for the “Senior Era”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1999.

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1999.

About the 1999 Inductees:

Lawrence Taylor, LB, NYG 1981-93: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

There are a lot of great players who competed in the National Football League, though only a select few can be called legends.  Only a few of those legends can be called game-changers.  Let's meet Lawrence Taylor, one of the few who fits this description

Taylor played his entire career with the New York Giants, and his pass-rushing from the outside changed how defenses were built and how offenses had to react.  He was a pioneer in chopping the ball from opponents' hands, and he became not just the face of the Giants, but defensive football.  That is an icon!

L.T. was the second overall pick in 1981, and as a rookie, he won not only Defensive Rookie of the Year but also Defensive Player of the Year.  This season began what was the most dominant six-year run by any Linebacker. From 1981 to 1986, Taylor was a perennial First Team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler, and never had an Approximate Value below 16.  That last fact was especially incredible, considering he played only nine games in 1982, the year he won his second DPOY.

The climax of his career was 1986, when he led the NFL in Sacks with 20.5, won his third DPOY, and was also named the AP MVP, the PFWA MVP, and the Bert Bell Award.  Taylor took his team to the Super Bowl, defeating the Denver Broncos.  This sounds like a pretty good season, doesn’t it?

Taylor had two more First Team All-Pros after that and a second Super Bowl.  Age and mileage caught up with him, and his last Pro Bowl came in 1990, but he played three more seasons, retiring in 1993.  Taylor recorded 141 Sacks (132.5 official, since 1981 it wasn’t a stat yet) over his career, including a seven-year streak of double-digit numbers from 1984 to 1990.

As phenomenal as Taylor was a player, it can be argued that his drug use during his playing days hampered him from being even better.  Can you imagine Taylor being even more dominant?  

Eric Dickerson, RB, RAM 1983-87, IND 1987-91, RAI 1992 & ATL 1993: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Eric Dickerson made a spectacular debut in the NFL in 1983 with the Los Angeles Rams, quickly becoming one of the most formidable running backs in football history. As a rookie from SMU, his upright running style, distinctive goggles, and remarkable blend of size and speed captivated the league. He rushed for an incredible 1,808 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in his first season, earning the NFL Rookie of the Year award effortlessly. His immediate influence turned the Rams into playoff contenders instantly and set new standards for what a modern feature back could achieve.

The peak of Dickerson’s legendary career arrived just one year later, during a historic 1984 campaign that etched his name permanently into the NFL record books. Exhibiting a rare blend of fluid stride and explosive power, he terrorized opposing defenses for 16 consecutive weeks. On December 9, 1984, against the Houston Oilers, he broke O.J. Simpson's single-season rushing record. Dickerson finished the season with 2,105 rushing yards, a monumental milestone that has withstood decades of challengers and remains the gold standard for single-season rushing performances.

After a contract dispute, Dickerson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 1987 as part of a major three-team deal. The move initially didn't affect his performance, as he quickly energized the Colts and led them to their first playoff appearance since relocating to Indianapolis. In 1988, he became the first Colt since 1978 to win the NFL rushing title, with 1,659 yards. During his time with the Colts, he also became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career rushing yards, accomplishing the milestone in just 91 games.

As injuries and heavy workloads took their toll, Dickerson spent his final two professional seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons before retiring in 1993. Over his eleven-year career, he amassed 13,259 rushing yards, six Pro Bowl selections, and five First-Team All-Pro honors.

Howie Long, DE-NT, RAI 1981-93.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Howie Long anchored the Los Angeles Raiders' defensive line for 13 spectacular seasons, becoming one of the most feared and technically proficient defensive linemen of his era. Drafted in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Villanova, Long possessed a rare combination of explosive strength, relentless motor, and prototypical size. His versatility allowed him to dominate whether lining up as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme or kicking inside to tackle on passing downs. His signature "rip" move and violent hands quickly made him the focal point of a ferocious Raiders defense that embodied the franchise's tough, renegade identity.

The apex of Long’s team success came in 1983, culminating in a dominant performance in Super Bowl XVIII. Throughout that championship campaign, Long was an unstoppable force, registering a career-high 13.0 sacks and earning the first of his eight Pro Bowl selections. In the Super Bowl against the heavily favored Washington Redskins, Long and the Raiders' defensive front relentlessly harassed quarterback Joe Theismann, holding Washington's high-powered offense to just 9 points in a 38-9 blowout. This definitive victory solidified Long's status as a premier superstar on football's grandest stage.

As the 1980s progressed, Long transitioned from a rising star into the veteran heartbeat of the Raiders organization. His individual brilliance earned consistent recognition from peers and talent evaluators, earning him First-Team All-Pro honors in three consecutive seasons from 1983 to 1985. He was also named the NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year twice. Long's ability to destroy opposing run games while maintaining a constant rush on the quarterback helped keep the Raiders in the postseason, bridging the gap through the franchise's transition into the early 1990s.

Injuries eventually began to slow his ironman pace, leading Long to retire after the 1993 season with 84.0 career sacks and a spot on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

Mike Munchak, G, HOU, 1982-93.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

Mike Munchak spent 12 seasons establishing himself as one of the most technically excellent and durable guards in NFL history. Drafted eighth overall in 1981 from Penn State, he combined exceptional lower-body strength, quick footwork, and relentless competitiveness. As a rookie, he quickly secured a starting role, providing stability and top-tier pass protection for an evolving Houston offense. His presence transformed the left side of the Oilers' line into an unbreakable barrier, raising the standard for interior blockers across the league.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Munchak established himself as the top offensive guard of his era, serving as a key player in Houston's renowned "Run and Shoot" offense. His exceptional agility enabled him to pull on sweep plays and make effective downfield blocks, contributing to quarterback Warren Moon's record-breaking passing game. His excellence was acknowledged through nine Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro titles. Together with teammate Bruce Matthews, they formed perhaps the most formidable offensive guard-tackle partnership in history, guiding the Oilers to seven straight playoff berths.

Munchak’s remarkable consistency was characterized by his exceptional durability, overcoming chronic knee issues to participate in 159 regular-season games and start 156 of them. He was a master tactician who infrequently committed penalties or allowed sacks, employing leverage and precise hand placement to neutralize the league's most formidable interior pass rushers. His vigorous leadership and understated professionalism rendered him the unequivocal captain and the vital force of the locker room. Even as injuries increased towards the conclusion of his career, his distinguished performance remained unwavering, enabling him to retire at the zenith of his abilities following the 1993 season.

Louis Wright, CB, DEN 1975-86.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 8th Ballot.  Was never inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wright anchored Denver’s defensive backfield for 12 years, establishing himself as one of the NFL's pioneering and most formidable "shutdown cornerbacks.’ Drafted 17th overall in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft from San Jose State, he brought rare size, elite track-star speed, and exceptional toughness against the run. He quickly made a significant impact, earning All-Rookie honors, and rapidly stabilized the secondary to become the cornerstone of Denver’s renowned Orange Crush defense.

His national breakthrough came in 1977, when Wright contributed significantly to the Denver Broncos' 12–2 record and their first Super Bowl XII appearance. Throughout the late 1970s, he became a distinguished defensive player, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1977 to 1979 and back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors. Defensive coordinators from opposing teams routinely devised entire game strategies to circumvent passing to his side of the field, illustrating the formidable coverage capabilities that secured him a place on the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.

Throughout the 1980s, Wright consistently stood out as a top playmaker and turned defensive stops into quick momentum swings. In 1983, he posted a personal best with six interceptions, and in 1984, he allowed just one touchdown pass all season. Besides his coverage skills, Wright made significant contributions on special teams and was a formidable threat when creating turnovers. His career highlights include a notable 27-yard fumble return for a touchdown during a snowstorm against Green Bay in 1984, as well as an exciting 60-yard return of a blocked field goal in overtime against San Diego in 1985.

Wright retired after the 1986 season, having guided the Broncos back to the big stage in Super Bowl XXI. Over his 12-year ironman career in Denver, he started 163 of 166 games, amassing 26 career interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.

Dick Schafrath, T-DE, CLE 1959-71.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 1st Senior Ballot.  Was never inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Drafted in the second round (23rd overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft from Ohio State—where he served as captain of a national championship team—Dick Schafrath entered the professional arena in Cleveland as a formidable force. Throughout a 13-year career exclusively with the Browns, "The Mule" anchored left tackle with exceptional leverage and mobility, helping fuel one of football's most dominant rushing eras.

After transitioning to left tackle from defensive end in his second season, he quickly became the primary starter in 1960 and established himself as one of the league's premier offensive linemen. Throughout the 1960s, he earned four First-Team All-Pro honors (1963–1965, 1969) and was selected for seven Pro Bowls. In 1963, he was honored by his teammates with the title of Cleveland Browns' Most Valuable Player—a distinguished accolade rarely awarded to an offensive lineman.

His presence on the left side was crucial to Cleveland's historic rushing game; during his tenure, Browns running backs won eight NFL rushing titles, and Schafrath protected three future Hall of Famers: Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. His career peaked in 1964, when he anchored the offensive line in Cleveland's 27–0 victory over the Baltimore Colts to claim the 1964 NFL Championship.

Schafrath remained a dependable starter throughout the 1971 season, retiring with the team that drafted him after playing in 176 regular-season games for Cleveland. 

Bill Nunn, Scout, PIT 1970-2014.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1999 on his 6th Coach/Contributor Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Bill Nunn revolutionized NFL personnel evaluation by opening a vital pipeline to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), transforming the Pittsburgh Steelers into a powerhouse. Initially a sports writer and managing editor for The Pittsburgh Courier, he developed deep relationships across southern Black colleges while compiling his annual Black College All-America team starting in 1950. Recognizing his unmatched knowledge of overlooked talent, Steelers owner Dan Rooney hired Nunn in 1968, a move that permanently reshaped professional football scouting.

His uncanny eye for talent became the driving force behind the Steelers' 1970s dynasty, which captured four Super Bowl titles in a six-year span. Nunn discovered legendary franchise cornerstones from HBCUs that other teams largely ignored, including future Hall of Fame defensive back Mel Blount and gems like safety Donnie Shell and defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood, establishing a championship core built on players other teams missed.

Nunn remained a fixture in the Steelers' front office for nearly five decades, serving as a trusted scout, advisor, and mentor until his passing in 2014. His meticulous evaluation methods became a blueprint for modern NFL personnel departments and helped bridge a significant racial gap in sports talent acquisition.

For most people, the Super Bowl is one of their favorite days of the year.  It is for us too, but we have one day on the football calendar that we like just a little bit more.  It is the day before the Super Bowl, when they announce the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame committee met virtually two weeks ago due to COVID-19.  This is atypical, as they usually meet in person close to the Super Bowl.  We expected that leaks would come out, but to the credit of those involved, the spilling of details were minimal:

Let’s get to it!

The Class of 2021 is:

Alan Faneca:  Guard: 1998-07 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets & 2010 Arizona Cardinals.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers, Faneca went to nine Pro Bowls and was a six-time First Team All-Pro.  Faneca has been a Semi-Finalist and Finalist in his first five years of eligibility, and this made year six.  He has been arguably been “leapfrogged” by Steve Hutchinson and Kevin Mawae, and it won’t happen again.  Faneca has been overdue for some time.  Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Calvin Johnson: Wide Receiver:  2007-15 Detroit Lions.  Johnson went to six Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros and was considered the most exciting Wide Receiver of his day.  This was his first year on the ballot, and while other Wide Receivers exceed his overall stats, there was no one who passed the eye test more than “Megatron”.  Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Peyton Manning: Quarterback:  1998-11 Indianapolis Colts & 2012-15 Denver Broncos.  Manning took both the Colts and Broncos to a Super Bowl win, and he is a five-time MVP with 14 Pro Bowls and seven First Team All-Pros.  He would throw for 71,940 Yards and 539 Touchdowns and this is his first year on the ballot. There was zero doubt that Manning was going in, and it was already leaked that his selection was filmed at a party.  Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Lynch: Free Safety:  1993-03 Tampa Bay Buccaneers & 2004-07 Denver Broncos.  Lynch went to seven Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.  Lynch gets in on his eighth try.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Charles Woodson:  Cornerback/Safety:  1998-05 & 2013-15 Oakland Raiders & 2006-12 Green Bay Packers.  Woodson is a Super Bowl Champion with the Packers and has 65 career Interceptions.  The nine-time Pro Bowler is also a former Defensive Rookie of the Year (1998) and Defensive Player of the Year (2009).  This was Woodson’s first year of eligibility, and like Manning, he was considered a sure thing.  Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Drew Pearson: Wide Receiver:  1973-93 Dallas Cowboys.  Pearson is this year’s senior inductee, and it has been a long time coming.  Pearson was a Finalist last year for the Centennial Slate, and his reaction when he was not chosen was heartbreaking.  There are many fans, and not just those of the Cowboys who are happy for the former Wide Receiver.  Ranked #28on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tom Flores: Head Coach:  Flores, a former quarterback with Oakland, Buffalo and Kansas City, became the first Hispanic Head Coach in NFL history when Al Davis promoted him in 1979 after being the Wide Receivers Coach.  Flores helmed the Raiders until 1987 and would win two Super Bowls (XV & XVIII).  He came out of retirement as Seattle’s Head Coach from 1992 to 1994, and he had an overall coaching record of 97-87.

Bill Nunn: Scout:   A reporter for the Pittsburgh Courier, Bill Nunn had a keen knowledge of the history black colleges.  These were schools that were underrepresented in the NFL, and Art Rooney, owner of the Steelers hired him as a scout, and he would also be their Assistant Personnel Director.  He remained with the Steelers until 2014, and he helped them win six Super Bowl rings. Nunn was also a charter member of the Black College Football Hall of Fame.   

The ten Finalists who did not get in were:

Jared Allen: Defensive End:  2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears & 2016 Carolina Panthers.  This was Allen’s first year of eligibility, and anyone who makes it as a Finalist in his first year of eligibility will make it to Canton eventually.  Allen led the NFL in Sacks twice (2007 & 2011) and had 136.0 in total.  He was also a five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber:  Cornerback/Safety:  1997-12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Barber is a former Super Bowl Champion and was the 2001 leader in Interceptions.  He has over 1,000 Solo Tackles with 47 career Interceptions.  After four years as a Semi-Finalist, Barber makes it through to the Finals, but it is believed that he was not going to get in until Lynch did.  Now that this has happened, Barber has a much clearer path to Canton.  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli:  Tackle: 1995-01 Jacksonville Jaguars & 2002 Houston Texans.  The career of Boselli was short, but he is believed to be the greatest Jaguar of all-time. The Lineman has now been a Finalist for the five years in a row, and will likely see a sixth next year.  He is a beneficiary of Faneca’s selection.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler: Safety: 1990-01 Green Bay Packers.  Butler had 38 career Interceptions, won a Super Bowl and went to four Pro Bowls over his career.  He is on a four-year streak of Semi-Finalist nods, and he was also a Finalist last year.  In terms of gaining momentum over the past three years, Butler is in the upper-tier of the list, but he did not get in.  Butler leaked earlier last week that he was not chosen.   Ranked #73 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt:  Wide Receiver:  1998-08 St. Louis Rams & 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars.  Holt won a Super Bowl with the Rams, and he went to seven Pro Bowls with 12,832 career Receiving Yards.  Holt is now a two-time Finalist, but the Wide Receiver position is loaded with worthy candidates. Johnson’s immediate induction will help him in the future.  Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Clay Matthews:  Linebacker: 1978-93 Cleveland Browns & 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons.  A four-time Pro Bowler, Matthews had 69.5 Sacks with 1,595 Combined Tackles.  Matthews was in his last year of eligibility, and this was the first time he made it as a Finalist.  While he has the most fervent fan base on social media regarding this year’s potential class, he came up empty.  Matthews will have to get in via the senior committee.  Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sam Mills:  Linebacker: 1986-94 New Orleans Saints & 1995-97 Carolina Panthers.  A five-time Pro Bowler, Mills began his pro career in the USFL.  A four-time Semi-Finalist, Mills made it to the Finals for the first time, last year but he is now down to one year left of Modern Era eligibility.  Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richard Seymour:  Defensive End/Defensive Tackle:  2001-08 New England Patriots & 2009-12 Oakland Raiders.  Seymour won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, went to seven Pro Bowls and was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  Seymour has now been a Finalist three times.  Ranked #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Zach Thomas:  Linebacker:  1996-07 Miami Dolphins & 2008 Dallas Cowboys:  Thomas led the NFL in Combined Tackles twice (2002 & 2006) and he is five-time First Team All-Pro.  He also has 1,727 career Combined Tackles.  Thomas is a two-time Finalist, and has plenty of time left in his eligibility.  Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com

Reggie Wayne:  Wide Receiver:  2001-14 Indianapolis Colts.  A six-time Pro Bowl and one-time Super Bowl Champion, Wayne has 14,345 Receiving Yards with 82 Touchdowns.  Wayne was a Finalist in his first two years of eligibility, and like Holt, the induction of Johnson helps him.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

We will be altering our Notinhalloffame.com Football list next month to reflect the deletion of this year’s inductees and adding those who are eligible.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As part of the new structure for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, at least one Coach, one Senior and one Contributor will be nominated and pushed through the final round.  This will go for at least four years.  

Days earlier, we learned that Tom Flores and Drew Pearson were named the Coach and Senior Finalist respectively.  Today, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that scout, Bill Nunn will be moving forward as the Contributor Finalist.

Originally a journalist in the Pittsburgh area, Nunn openly lobbied Steelers’ owner, Dan Rooney, to look at the History Black Colleges to accumulate talent.  This was not a common place where teams would look, but rather than dismiss Nunn’s idea, he hired him to do exactly that.  

The Steelers became a powerhouse in the 1970s, and Nunn helped Pittsburgh draft HBCU players like Mel Blount, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes, Donnie Shell and John Stallworth.

Nunn was an Assistant Personnel Director from 1970-1987, and a Scout from 1987 to 2014.  He has six Super Bowls and was elected as an inaugural member to the Black College Hall of Fame.

This is not a lock for Nunn to enter Canton, but it definitely bodes well.