The Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project: 1997 Final VOTE

1996 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 52nd 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 1997:

This is for the “Senior Era”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1997.

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”, 

*Bold indicates they have been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Class of 1997.

About the 1997 Inductees:

Russ Grimm, G-C, WAS 1981-91: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1997 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Washington Redskins won three Super Bowls during the 1980s and early 1990s, but unlike most championship teams, their offensive line was considered the club's defining strength. The unit not only helped deliver three Super Bowl titles but also protected three different starting quarterbacks along the way. They were known as the "Hogs," and among them, Russ Grimm stood out as the group's premier player.

An original member of the Hogs, Grimm spent his entire NFL career with Washington after being selected in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft out of Pitt. Establishing himself at left guard, he quickly developed into one of the league's elite players at his position and was a cornerstone of Washington's first Super Bowl championship. Over the next five seasons, Grimm cemented his reputation as the NFL's best left guard, earning five consecutive Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors in 1983. That season, he ranked second in the NFL in Approximate Value (18), while the Hogs became one of the most celebrated position groups in professional football.

As injuries accumulated, Grimm's role diminished from 1987 until his retirement following the 1991 season. Although he was no longer the dominant force he had been at his peak, his leadership and experience remained invaluable, and he continued to play an integral role in Washington's final two Super Bowl championships.

Dan Hampton, DE-DT, CHI 1979-90: Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1997 on his 1st Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Dan Hampton's illustrious NFL career began in 1979, when the Chicago Bears selected him fourth overall out of Arkansas. He quickly made a mark, earning All-Rookie honors with 70 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 sacks during his first season. In 1980, his second year, Hampton led the team with 11.5 sacks, establishing himself as a top defensive player. His performance peaked in the 1982 strike-shortened season, in which he achieved 9 sacks in just nine games and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year. Throughout these formative years, Hampton’s rare ability to play both defensive end and defensive tackle made him an invaluable asset for defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan's strategies.

By the mid-1980s, Hampton had become the anchor of a historic unit, culminating in the legendary 1985 championship season. As a focal point of the "46 defense," his presence created opportunities for teammates, leading to a Super Bowl XX victory in which the Bears defense allowed just 10 points. Throughout this peak era, Hampton earned four Pro Bowl nods and six All-Pro selections at two different positions. He reached these heights while battling severe physical adversity, famously playing through 10 knee surgeries. His selflessness and elite performance during this decade earned him a well-deserved spot on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

Hampton's relentless career concluded in 1990 after 12 seasons, all spent wearing the navy and orange of the Chicago Bears. In his final season, his career-long resilience was recognized when he won the George S. Halas Courage Award for playing through persistent, grueling injuries. He retired with 152 career starts, 82 official sacks, and a legacy as one of the most versatile linemen in football history.

Charlie Joiner, WR, HOU 1969-72, CIN 1972-75 & SDG 1976-86.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1997 on his 6th Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

Charlie Joiner entered the NFL as a fourth-round selection of the Houston Oilers in the 1969 NFL Draft out of Grambling State, but he struggled to establish himself during his first seven professional seasons. Traded to the Cincinnati Bengals midway through the 1972 season, Joiner showed flashes of his potential before being dealt again in 1976 to the San Diego Chargers, a move that transformed his career.

Under head coach Don Coryell, Joiner became a perfect fit in the Chargers' innovative vertical passing attack. Paired with quarterback Dan Fouts, he developed into one of the NFL's premier receivers, combining precise route running, dependable hands, and outstanding football intelligence. Beginning in 1978, Joiner recorded six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, earned three Pro Bowl selections, and was named a First-Team All-Pro in both 1980 and 1981. Despite sharing the field with outstanding pass catchers such as Kellen Winslow, John Jefferson, and later Wes Chandler, Joiner remained one of the focal points of the league's most explosive passing offense.

Joiner continued to produce into his late 30s, retiring after the 1986 season at the age of 39. At the time of his retirement, his 750 receptions and 12,146 receiving yards both ranked among the highest totals in NFL history, a testament to his longevity and remarkable consistency.

Dick LeBeau, DB, DET, 1959-72.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1997 on his 20th Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Dick LeBeau played professional football as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions from 1959 to 1972. After signing as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State University, he quickly earned a starting role because of his speed, intelligence, and ability to anticipate opposing quarterbacks. During his rookie season, he became a key contributor in the Lions' secondary and established himself as one of the league's most dependable defensive backs.

As his career progressed, LeBeau developed a reputation as one of the NFL's premier ball hawks. He intercepted 62 passes over 14 seasons, a total that ranks among the highest in league history. His instincts, disciplined coverage, and leadership helped anchor Detroit's defense throughout the 1960s. LeBeau was selected to three Pro Bowls and earned multiple All-Pro honors, reflecting the respect he received from coaches, teammates, and opponents.

LeBeau finished his playing career after the 1972 season, having appeared in 185 regular-season games, all with the Detroit Lions. Although he never played in a Super Bowl, his consistency and outstanding production made him one of the franchise's greatest defensive players.

John Stallworth, WR, PIT 1974-87.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1997 on his 5th Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

How good was the 1974 Draft Class for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

They drafted Lynn Swann (First Round), Jack Lambert (Second Round), Mike Webster (Fifth Round), and John Stallworth (Fourth Round).

In Stallworth's first three seasons, he was mostly used as a backup but still contributed to their first two Super Bowl Championships (IX & X).  By 1977, the Alabama A&M Wide Receiver was a more substantial piece to the Steelers’ offense, and he exceeded 750 Yards in the two seasons after winning a third Super Bowl in the latter year.  Stallworth had his best season of the 1970s, earning Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors and helping the Steelers to their fourth Super Bowl of the decade.

While the 1980s did not add a ring for the thumb, this was the decade in which Stallworth cemented his Hall of Fame bust. It was a poor start as he only appeared in three Games in 1980, but he had his second 1,000-yard season in 1981 (1,183), and in the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, he was a Pro Bowler for a second time.

The Wide Receiver was hurt again for most of 1983 but rebounded with his best season on the gridiron with career-highs in 1,399 Yards and 11 Touchdowns.  Stallworth was a Pro Bowler for the third and final time and was awarded the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year.  He played three more years, finishing in 1987, in a pro career spent entirely in the black and yellow.  Stallworth retired with 8,723 Yards and 63 Touchdowns.

Les Richter LB-MG, RAM 1954-62.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1996 on his 10th Senior Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Drafted second overall by the New York Yanks in 1952, Les Richter never played a game for the franchise, as the team folded before the season began. His rights were transferred to the newly formed Dallas Texans, who inherited much of the Yanks' roster, but Richter never suited up for them either. Instead, the Texans traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for an astonishing 11 players. While that may seem like an uneven deal, history ultimately showed that the Rams were the true winners, as Richter became one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Richter's versatility was virtually unmatched. Primarily a linebacker, he also played guard, center, and served as the Rams' placekicker whenever needed. No matter where he lined up, he excelled, earning Pro Bowl honors in eight of his nine NFL seasons. A dominant run defender with exceptional instincts and toughness, Richter built a reputation as one of the league's most complete and dependable players.

His durability became legendary. In one game, Richter suffered a broken cheekbone but refused to leave the field, continuing to play despite the injury. Late in his career, when starting center Art Hunter was injured, Richter seamlessly shifted to the position, illustrating the rare adaptability that defined his career. Few players in NFL history possessed the combination of talent, toughness, and versatility that made Les Richter such an invaluable cornerstone of the Rams.

Gil Brandt, SCOUT, RAM 1955-57, SFO 1958-59 & DAL 1960-88.  Inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project in 1996 on his 6th Coach/Contributor Ballot.  Inducted into the actual Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Gil Brandt was the vice president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1988. He, along with coach Tom Landry and GM Tex Schramm, helped turn the Cowboys into 'America's Team’. During his 29 years, the team had 20 straight winning seasons, appeared in five Super Bowls, and won two (Super Bowl VI and XII). His talent eye helped acquire nine Hall of Fame players like Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, and Tony Dorsett.

Brandt revolutionized the NFL by pioneering data-driven systems in player evaluation. In the 1960s, he partnered with IBM to introduce computerized analysis, turning scouting from subjective to precise. He required prospects to run the 40-yard dash and undergo psychological tests to assess mental toughness. Brandt also scouted outside traditional programs, drafting star athletes like Bob Hayes and Cornell Green, and using undrafted free agency to find impact players like Drew Pearson and Cliff Harris. His efforts led to the creation of the NFL Scouting Combine, making him a key figure in modern NFL scouting.