Here we go!!!
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the five names (one coach, one contributor, and three seniors) as the Finalists for the Class of 2026.
Moving forward, this group will be lumped together in the Final Round, with a candidate having to receive 80% of the vote from the 50 voters.
At most three can advance, with at least one. Should none of the candidates receive 80%, the highest vote getter will advance.
The Coaching candidate:
Bill Belichick. Beginning his coaching career as a special assistant in Baltimore, Belichick joined the New York Giants in 1979, worked his way up to Defensive Coordinator, and won two Super Bowls in that role. He became Cleveland’s Head Coach, but he posted a winning record in only one of his six years. He received another chance as a Head Coach for New England, and the rest was history. Belichick ushered in the Patriots' dynasty, leading the Pats to six Super Bowl wins, nine Super Bowl appearances (both records as a Head Coach), and presided over the most remarkable run by any Head Coach associated with one team in NFL history. Belichick had a career record of 333-178, a 31-13 playoff record, and also boasts three AP Coach of the Year Awards. He was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team.
The Semi-Finalists who did not advance were: Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert & Mike Shanahan.
The Contributor Candidate:
Robert Kraft. In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the New England Patriots, and the region has been blessed ever since. The franchise became stable after it appeared to be St. Louis-bound, and under Kraft’s ownership, Gillette Stadium was financed, which gave the team a permanent home base. Since Kraft took over, the Patriots have been to 10 Super Bowls and won 6. He has also served on 17 owner committees.
The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Bud Adams, Roone Arledge, Ralph Hay, Bucko Kilroy, Art Rooney Jr., Clark Schaughnessy, Seymour Siwoff, and Buddy Young.
The Senior Candidates:
Ken Anderson: Quarterback, CIN 1971-86. Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981, and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns. He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and, historically, led the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Anderson was a Modern Finalist in 1996 and 1998.
We congratulate the candidates who have reached this stage.
Roger Craig: Running Back, SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93. The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro. From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards. Craig was a Modern Finalist in 2010 and a Senior Finalist in 2020.
L.C. Greenwood: Defensive End, PIT 1969-81. Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls. A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks and was a six-time modern Finalist (1991, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2005 & 2006).
The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Henry Ellard, Joe Jacoby, Eddie Meador, Stanley Morgan, Steve Tasker, and Otis Taylor.
We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the five Finalists.
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