1980 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 rhetorical question: What if the PFHOF began 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 we asked each voter to give us 25 names as their semi-finalists and 5 in 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 35th official class. 

Below are the final results of this project based on 31 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 1980:

This is for the “Senior Era”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1980.

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1980.

About the 1980 Inductees:

Bob Lilly DT-DE, DAL 1961-74: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1980 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Bob Lilly would not just become a star player for Dallas, but he would earn the nickname of “Mr. Cowboy.”  He was the first player ever drafted by the team, and while the organization struggled in its early years, Lilly was a definite star for the team.  A Pro Bowl Selection in 1962, Lilly would have a ten-year streak of trips to Hawaii from 1964 to 1973, with seven of those years seeing Lilly named as a First Team All-Pro.

As the Cowboys improved, Lilly became the heart of the first incarnation of the "Doomsday Defense."  It was that defense that brought Dallas to their first Super Bowl appearance (V), which they lost to Baltimore.  The Cowboys returned the next season to the Super Bowl, and Lilly and Dallas would destroy the Miami Dolphins.  It was Lilly who had the signature play of the game when he sacked Bob Griese for a 26-yard loss. 

Lilly played with the Cowboys until 1974, and he is the most outstanding defensive player that Dallas ever had.

Deacon Jones, DE, RAM 1961-71, SDG 1972-73 & WAS 1974: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1980 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

It was Deacon Jones who came up with the term "Sacking the Quarterback," and as such, his style of play revolutionized the idea of what a Defensive Player could be.  Jones helped make the idea of being a defensive player a star, and arguably his entire career occurred by accident as he was a late-round (14^th) pick who was chosen for his athleticism and not for his football skills.  Becoming what would be part of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome," Jones was a pass-rushing dynamo who would (unofficially) sack the QB well over 150 times as a Ram, and "unofficially" led the NFL in five seasons.  He was a five-time First-Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl with Los Angeles and was quickly the star attraction of the organization.

Jim Otto, C, OAK 1960-74.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1980 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Jim Otto was undrafted in 1960, as the teams in the National Football League considered the Center to be too small to take his skills to the next level.  They got it wrong.  The AFL took shape the same year, and the Oakland Raiders saw something in the Miami Hurricane, and Otto was given the opportunity to win the Center job with the Raiders.  Otto won it as a rookie, and he would start the next (and first) 210 Games for the team.

Otto was not just the best Center of the AFL in the 1960s, he was the top man in front of the Quarterback in all of Professional Football.  He was an 11-time AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl Selection and was so dominant that in the entire history of the American Football League, no other Center was a First Team All-Pro.

The Raiders would win the division seven times with Otto at Center, and won the AFL Championship in 1967.  Otto played his entire career with the Raiders and is the best Offensive Lineman in team history.

Sonny Jurgensen, QB, NYG 1958, PHI 1957-63 & WAS 1964-74.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1980 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957, Sonny Jurgensen was the Eagles’ backup when they won the 1960 NFL Championship.  Jurgensen took over as their starting QB, leading the league in Passing Yards in both 1961 and 1962.  Jurgensen was hurt for much of 1963, and the Eagles deemed him expendable; he was traded to the Washington Redskins for fellow quarterback Norm Snead and Cornerback Claude Crabb.

Jurgensen fit perfectly in regards to leading the Washington offense.  He went to the Pro Bowl in his first year in Washington, and he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards in both 1966 and 1967, setting a then-record of 3,747.  That season, he also threw for a league-leading 31 Touchdown Passes.  In 1969, Jurgensen was a First Team All-Pro and was a Pro Bowler for the fourth time as a Redskin.   

As great as Jurgensen was at this time, he did not have the horses around him to help the Redskins make the playoffs.  In the 70s, he helped Washington make their first Super Bowl, but Billy Kilmer now replaced him, as Jurgensen’s injuries were accumulating.  He played until 1974, retiring as a Redskin.

Overall, with the Redskins, Jurgensen threw for 22,585 Yards with a TD-INT Ratio of 179-116.  These were outstanding numbers for his era.  Jurgensen would be named to the 1960s All-Decade Team.

Chuck Howley, RB, CLE 1964-73.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1980 on his 2nd Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Chuck Howley was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First Team All-Pro five times.  Howley was a big game player, and even in the Super Bowl V defeat, he won the MVP of the game.  To this day, Howley remains the only player on a losing team to win that award.  Howley’s play was good enough to win the Super Bowl MVP in Dallas’s win, but Roger Staubach edged him out.  The Dallas defense was loaded those years, but Howley was certainly a great contributor to that.  Legendary coach Tom Landry called Howley the greatest linebacker he ever had, and he was the fourth player in the Cowboys Ring of Honor.

Al Davis, Owner, OAK/LAD 1963-2010.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1980 on his 1st Coaches/Contributor Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Just win, baby.

This was the mantra of Al Davis, who may not have founded the Raiders, but he became their embodiment. 

Davis joined the Raiders as the head coach in 1962 and was given complete control by Raiders owner F. Wayne Valley. Named the AFL Coach of the Year in 1963, Davis was asked to become the commissioner of the league. His work expedited the expected merger between the NFL and AFL, and after a year, he went back to the Raiders, but now as a part-owner.

It would not be long before Davis became the owner, and the Raider philosophy was his creation. The Raiders won three Super Bowls under Davis, and while he was considered a renegade, no owner wanted to win more. Notably, he was the first to hire an African-American head coach (Art Shell), a Latino head coach (Tom Flores), and a female chief executive (Amy Trask). None of those hires was to fill a quota. He thought they were the best candidate for the job.

Davis is the only person in football who has held the following positions: personnel assistant, scout assistant coach, head coach, general manager, commissioner, chief executive officer, and owner. It is safe to say that it won't happen again.

For us, this is as big as the Super Bowl

Tonight, at the NFL Honors, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the nine new members of the Canton based institution.

The Class of 2023 is:

Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle, Cleveland Browns 2007-17:  Thomas was expected to be a first ballot inductee, and that is what transpired for the former Outland Trophy winner.  The runner-up for the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Thomas played a record-breaking 10,363 Snaps and allowed only 30 Sacks.  Charting new territory as the first Offensive Lineman to make the Pro Bowl in his first ten years, Thomas was a six-time First Team All-Pro and 2010’s All-Decade player.  

Darrelle Revis, Cornerback, New York Jets 2007-12 & 2015-16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2013, New England Patriots 2014, Kansas City Chiefs 2017:  Along with Joe Thomas, Revis is a first ballot inductee, and the Super Bowl Champion with the Pats went to seven Pro Bowls with four First Team All-Pros and was a 2010s All-Decade player.  The proprietor of Revis Island had 29 Interceptions and was second in 2009 Defensive Player of the Year voting.

DeMarcus Ware, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys 2005-13, Denver Broncos 2014-16:  Many expected Ware to enter on year one, but here he is on his second go.  Amassing 138.5 Sacks and twice leading the league, the Linebacker was a nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and a Super Bowl Champion late in his career with the Broncos.

Zach Thomas, Linebacker, Miami Dolphins 1995-2007, Dallas Cowboys 2008:  Thomas was a Finalist the last four years, and is now a Hall of Famer on his tenth year on the ballot.  The Linebacker had eleven years where he broke at least 100 Tackles, and he was a five-time First Team All-Pro as well as a seven-time Pro Bowler.

Ronde Barber, Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1997-2012:  With all due respect to Barber, this was a slight surprise, as his selection gave us three Corners (including Revis and Riley) in the 2023 Class.  A Super Bowl Champion, Barber is the only player in history with at least 45 Interceptions and 25 Sacks.  A 2000’s All-Decade Selection, Barber went to five Pro Bowls.

Chuck Howley, Linebacker, Chicago Bears 1958-59, Dallas Cowboys 1961-73:  This was a long time coming for Howley, who has been eligible for 45 years, and had never been a Finalist.  The first, and only player to win the Super Bowl MVP on a losing team, Howley got the Super Bowl Ring later, and also had six Pro Bowls and five First Team All-Pros on his docket.

Ken Riley, Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals 1969-83:  Riley was never a Finalist before this year, and the career Bengal was used to being snubbed, having only one First Team All-Pro despite 65 career Interceptions.  This gives the Bengals their second Hall of Famer, behind Offensive Lineman, Anthony Munoz.

Joe Klecko, Defensive Tackle, New York Jets, 1977-87, Indianapolis Colts 1988.  Klecko enters the Hall of Fame after 30 years of eligibility and now the “New York Sack Exchange” has a Hall of Fame inductee.  He was the second player (after Frank Gifford) to earn Pro Bowl honors at three different positions and he was named by UPI as their Defensive Player of the Year in 1981.

Don Coryell, Head Coach, St. Louis Cardinals 1973-77, San Diego Chargers 1978-86:  Coyell was one of the most influential minds in football, revolutionizing the passing game with his “Air Coryell” offense.  A Finalist six previous times, Coryell finally receives his due, albeit 12 years after his death.

As per Clark Judge, the first five Finalists cut were Devin Hester, Willie Anderson, Darren Woodson, Dwight Freeney and Patrick Willis.  Hester, is a bit of a surprise, as he made it to the final ten last year.  

The three Wide Receivers on the ballot, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne made it to the top ten, but none advanced, meaning that the logjam at Wide Receiver remains clogged.  Jared Allen, who has been a Finalist every year since eligible, also made it to the final cut.  The biggest disappointment was for Albert Lewis, who had to wait until his final year of modern eligibility to make it as a Finalist (or even a Semi-Finalist) was also in the final ten and now is in the very deep Seniors pool.

We will be revising our Notinhalloffame.com list next month, where we will remove those inducted, add those now eligible, and alter the list based on your votes and comments.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Is it that time again!

One of our core lists on Notinhalloffame.com, our list of those to consider for the Pro Footnall Hall of Fame has been revised.

The steps in our revisions are basic:

-Remove all of those who were inducted.  This included Cliff Branch (#11), Richard Seymour (#35), Tony Boselli (#36), Sam Mills (#40), Leroy Butler (#69) and Bryant Young (#159).

-Input those we think worthy who are now eligible.

-Adjust rankings based on your votes and comments.

The entire list can be found here, but here is our new top ten:

#1. Joe Thomas.  The career Cleveland Brown enters his first year of eligibility, and we expect that Thomas will walk in easily.  Although Thomas’ teams had way more losses than wins, he is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, a ten-time Pro Bowler and a six-time First Team All-Pro.  He should be a lock.

#2. Chuck Howley.  Ranked #3 last year, Howley starred at Linebacker for Dallas, where he helped them win Super Bowl VI, after winning the Super Bowl MVP in the Cowboys’ losing effort the year before.  A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro, Howley’s path has to come via the Senior’s Committee.  

#3. Randy Gradishar.  The star of the Orange Crush Defense, Gradishar was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, and went to seven Pro Bowls and had five First Team All-Pros.  Gradishar was a Finalist three times, most recently in 2020, on the Centennial Slate ballot.  He was ranked #2 last year.

#4. DeMarcus Ware.  Ware was ranked #1 last year, and while we thought he was going to enter last year on his first year on the ballot, it was not meant to be, although he reached the Finals.  The Linebacker played for Dallas and Denver, winning a Super Bowl in his final season.  A member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, Ware twice led the lead in Sacks, three times in Tackles for Loss, and went to nine Pro Bowls.  Ware is also a four-time First Team All-Pro.

#5. Darrelle Revis.  The New York Jets may not have had much to crow about over the last twenty years, but Darrelle Revis and “Revis Island” was one of the finest displays of Cornerback work over the last decade.  Revis was a four-time First Team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowl Selection, and he won a Super Bowl with New England.  This is his first year of eligibility.

#6. L.C. Greenwood.  Greenwood helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970s and he was a Finalist for the Hall six times.  A six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All Pro, the Defensive End was also chosen for the 1970s All-Decade Team.  He drops two spots this year.

#7. Torry Holt.  Holt is destined to follow his Hall of Fame Rams teammate and fellow Wide Receiver, Isaac Bruce into Canton.  A Super Bowl Champion with St. Louis, Holt was an All-Decade Selection, seven-time Pro Bowler and he has been a Finalist the last three years.  Holt slid one spot on this year’s rank.

8. Ronde Barber.  Moving up two spots, Barber played his entire career with Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl.  A member of the 25-25 Club, Barber went to five Pro Bowls and was a 2010’s All-Decade Selection.  He has been a Finalist the last two years.

9. Roger Craig.  A former Offensive Player of the Year and three-time Super Bowl Champion with San Francisco, Craig made history as the first player to rush for 1,000 Yards and receive over 1,000 Yards in a season.  The four-time Pro Bowler was ranked at number five last year, and was a Finalist in 2020.

10. Zach Thomas.  Thomas has been a Finalist the last three years and likely will be again in 2023.  The Linebacker was an All-Decade Selection in the 2000s, a two-time leader in Combined Tackles, and was a five-time First Team All-Pro.  Thomas was ranked #21 last year.

There were many other new entries on our top 300.

Offensive Lineman, and Super Bowl Champion with New Orleans, Jahri Evans, enters at #36.  He was a four-time First Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl Selection.

James Harrison went from undrafted to two-time Super Bowl Champion and Defensive Player of the Year with the Steelers.  The five-time Pro Bowler debuts at #51.

Defensive End, Dwight Freeney, went to seven Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and won the Super Bowl with Indianapolis.  Freeney had 125.5 career Sacks and comes in at #61.

Shane Lechler, who is one of the best Punters ever makes his first appearance on the list at #110.

Rounding out the new entries are former Bears and Jets Running Back, Matt Forte (#215), former 49ers Linebacker, NaVorro Bowman (#231), and former Bengals and Cardinals Quarterback, Carson Palmer (#258). 

Thank you all for your support, and we encourage you to cast your votes and offer your opinions.

Perhaps one of the biggest snubs of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is Chuck Howley, though the beginning of his pro career did not make anyone think of greatness.  

As we here at Notinhalloffame.com consistently work hard to create new lists we have to continuously update the ones that we have.  One of our main core lists, the Football List of those to consider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has been updated.  

The first step for us is to take out all of those who were chosen for the Hall.  This takes out Tony Gonzalez (#1), Champ Bailey (#2), Ed Reed (#3), Johnny Robinson (#7), Kevin Mawae (#16) and Ty Law (#28).

The second step is to add those who are now eligible.  As we have a Football Futuressection that allows you to vote and make comments prior to their eligibility we factor that input before we slot in the new entries.  

This leads to our third step, which is taking in your votes and comments on the existing names on the list and altering our rankings if deemed necessary.

The entire list can be found here, but on this page the new top ten are:

For the first time, Chuck Howley moved to the top.  The former Linebacker and Super Bowl V MVP was a six time Pro Bowl and five time First Team All Pro Selection.  He was ranked at #5 last year.

L.C. Greenwood rocketed to #2 from #6.  Greenwood played for the Pittsburgh Steelers all of his career and was a member of the dynasty that won four Super Bowls in the 1970’s.  The Defensive End was a six time Pro Bowl Selection and he was a Finalists for the Hall of Fame on six occasions.

Alan Faneca went up from #4 to #3.  The Offensive Lineman was a nine time Pro Bowl and six time First Team All Pro and helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL.  He has been a Finalist the last four years.

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1978) Randy Gradisharjumps from #8 to #4.  The former Denver Bronco would be chosen for seven Pro Bowls, five First Team All Pros and was a Finalist for the Hall of Fame twice.

Our highest new entry is also our highest rated offensive skill player in former Wide Receiver, Reggie Wayne.  Wayne helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI and caught 1,070 Receptions with 14,345 Yards. He was a six time Pro Bowl Selection who led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 2007.

Roger Craig went from #9 to #6.  The versatile Running Back helped the San Francisco 49ers win three Super Bowls and he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1988.  He made history as the first player to rush for 1,000 Yards and catch for 1,000 Yards.

Steve Atwater increased his rank from #12 to #7.  “The Smilin’ Assassin” and former Denver Bronco was first a Finalist in 2016 and was against this year.  The Defensive Back was an eight time Pro Bowler and two time Super Bowl Champion.

Troy Polamalu is the second new entry to break our top ten.  Spending his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Polamalu was chosen for eight Pro Bowls, four First Team All Pros and was the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year.  He helped Pittsburgh win the Super Bowl twice.

Former Super Bowl Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ronde Barber is #9 after climbing from #11.  The Defensive Back was chosen for five Pro Bowls and was the league leader in Interceptions in 2001.

Rounding out the top ten is Isaac Bruce, the former St. Louis Rams Wide Receiver of their “Greatest Show on Turf”. Bruce was a former Super Bowl Champion who caught 1,024 Passes for 15,208 Yards and 91 Touchdowns.  He would go to four Pro Bowls.

There are other new entries on out Notinhalloffame.com Football List.  Also making their debut are:

Patrick Willis comes in at #16.  Playing his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers the Linebacker would be invited to seven Pro Bowls and five First Team All Pros.  

John Abraham makes his first appearance at #40.  Abraham is in the top 15 all time in Quarterback Sacks, Tackles for Loss and Forced Fumbles and he was a five time Pro Bowl Selection.

Former Chicago Bear Linebacker Lance Briggs enters at #80.  He was a seven time Pro Bowl Selection.

The final new entry is Justin Smith at #101.  Smith is a five time Pro Bowl Selection.

As you will see, there are 103 names on this list.  Our intent is to eventually grow it to 250 (or possibly more) so as we are adding and subtracting names, we feel leaving it at this number is fine for now.

You know what we want you to do!

Take a look at our revised list and cast your votes and offer your opinions!

As always we here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to thank you for your support.

We have another major update here at Notinhalloffame.com as our Football list of those who should be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has gone through a major revision.

Last February, 6 of our top 10 were selected (Ray Lewis #1, Jerry Kramer #2, Randy Moss #3, Brian Dawkins #7, Terrell Owens #8 and Brian Urlacher #9) as was another top 15 (Robert Brazile #15). This has brought as expected a major overhaul in our top 10 list but with the addition of three strong first ballot entries none of the returning entries will crack the top three.

Our Notinhalloffame.com Football Top Ten is:

Former Tight End Tony Gonzalez debuts at number one. Gonzalez is without question the greatest Tight End ever and if you don’t agree with that, you can’t argue that he is not the best in terms of pure offensive skill. The former dual sport star from UCLA is second all-time in Receptions and is a 14 time Pro Bowl Selection. If anyone on this list has a speech ready to go it should be Tony Gonzalez!

Champ Bailey makes his inaugural appearance on our list at #2. The Cornerback dominated his position for years and went to twelve Pro Bowls as well as being chosen for three First Team All-Pro rosters.

Former Defensive Player of the Year Ed Reed arrives at #3. Like Gonzalez and Bailey, Reed has the credentials of a first ballot Hall of Famer. The Safety is a nine time Pro Bowl and five time First Team All-Pro Selection and is a Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens. He is also the all-time leader in Interception Return Yards.

Alan Faneca returns at #4 and is the highest ranked returnee from our list. The Offensive Lineman has been a Finalist the last two years and is a nine time Pro Bowl and six time First Team All-Pro Selection. He won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chuck Howley is the highest rated former player who would need to get in via the Senior Committee. Howley, the MVP of Super Bowl V and six time Pro Bowler remains at #5.

Four time Super Bowl Champion L.C. Greenwood also holds the same rank as last year as he holds at #6. The former Pittsburgh Steeler was a six time Finalist and like Howley would need the Senior Committee to get inducted.

Johnny Robinson jumped from #10 to #7. The longtime Kansas City Chief is a former Super Bowl winner and was a Finalist six times. He too needs to enter via the Senior Committee.

From the Denver Broncos’ famed “Orange Crush”, Randy Gradishar jumped from #12 to #8. The former Linebacker was a two time Finalist was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 and was a seven time Pro Bowl and five time First Team All-Pro Selection.

Three time Super Bowl Champion Running Back Roger Craig moves up to #9. Craig was a Finalist in 2009.

Rounding out to the new top ten is Wide Receiver Torry Holt. Holt went to twelve Pro Bowls and helped the St. Louis Rams win the Super Bowl.

Gonzalez, Bailey and Reed are not the only new entries.

Four time Pro Bowl Selection London Fletcher enters our list at #66. Fletcher was a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams and is one of four players to have participated in 250 straight games.

Regular visitors to Notinhalloffame.com know that we eventually plan to grow our core sports lists to 150 and as such we are allowing new entries to push our Football list beyond 100. We have two new entries in the lower end of the list with Asante Samuel at #97 and Brian Waters at #102.

You know what we want you to do!

Take a look at our new list (which can be found here) and let us know who you think should be in the next Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.