The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their two contributor finalists for the 2019 Class, which are Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.

Pat Bowlen became the owner of the Denver Broncos in 1984 and over that time the franchise would win the AFC seven times and the Super Bowl three times. In 2014 due to Alzheimer’s disease he would step down as the CEO of the team.

Brandt worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in the late 1950’s and he would take over as the chief talent scout for the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, a position he would hold for nearly 30 years. Brandt’s innovations in scouting would become a template for NFL teams.

Bowlen and Brandt automatically become finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which will be chosen days before the Super Bowl.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate both Bowlen and Brandt for advancing to this stage.

Well this is interesting.

As we all know, Terrell Owens skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio and had his own in Chattanooga, Tennessee at his alma mater. Apparently, the Hall is feeling a little embarrassed by the spectacle and wants to ensure that this does not happen again.

This news comes from Pro Football Talk, which reported that the institution wants to enforce a rule change that would force all inductees to attend the ceremony in Canton. It is not sure how they can enforce that though the speculation is that once a candidate reaches the Semi-Finalist stage they would have to sign a waiver stating that they would attend the ceremony.

In our eyes, this is a strange action by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During Owens’ speech he stated that the reason he boycotted Canton was that he was protesting the Hall of Fame selection process, which he viewed as flawed.

Specifically, he stated this during the ceremony:

“Many of you are probably wondering why we’re here, instead of Canton. I’d like to set the record straight. It’s about the mere fact that the sportswriters are not in alignment with the mission core values of the Hall of Fame. These writers disregarded the system, the criteria and by-laws and ultimately, the true meaning of the Hall of Fame and what it represents. I wanted to take a stand so the next gut coming after me will not have to go through what I, and others have gone through.”

Honestly, we here at Notinhalloffame.com have been vocal about our belief that Terrell Owens should have entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot with all due respect he wasn’t even close to being the person who had a long wait for enshrinement…that would be Jerry Kramer who waited decades and until this past weekend was the only member of the NFL 50th anniversary team not to be enshrined. If Owens feels snubbed, we wonder if he had a long conversation with Jerry Kramer on that subject.

We don’t think he did either.

Having said that the actions of Terrell Owens were his right to do. While we weren’t enamored of it the fact that the Pro Football Hall of Fame are now looking to create a policy to prevent this seems very totalitarian to us, especially considering that there was a good chance that what Terrell Owens did would be a “one-off” and that we are unlikely to see this again, but with the political climate of the NFL, unnecessary rules may not help potential inductees to “tow the line”.

Chances are that the T.O. Hall of Fame drama is over and it is unlikely that we will see this occur again…whether they try to enforce this or not.

We were wondering how the Pro Football Hall of Fame were going to react when Terrell Owens decided that he was going to do his Hall of Fame speech somewhere other than Canton with the rest of the inductees. We found out today, and their answer is to not acknowledge him at all that evening.

The Hall of Fame’s Executive Director, Joe Horrigan stated that Owens will not be introduced for the Gold Jacket ceremony nor will be announced the following evening at the Induction Ceremony.

“The focus, is on the guys who are here” Horrigan said, which obviously excludes Terrell Owens. As for his gold jacket, it will be shipped to him separately.

Owens will be giving his speech earlier in the day at his alma mater, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The other inductees are Jerry Kramer, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Brian Dawkins, Bobby Beathard, Brian Urlacher and Robert Brazile.

The saga of Terrell Owens and his Pro Football Hall of Fame continued today as the former Wide Receiver announce on Twitter that he will be giving his acceptance speech at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

He had this to say:

“As many of you know, I am forgoing the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton. After giving it much thought, I have realized just how much I want to celebrate what will inevitably the best weekend of my life at a place that means so much to me.

I have decided to give my Hall of Fame speech at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in McKenzie Arena on Saturday, August 4. The event, which is free and open to the public, starts at 3:17 p.m.

I’m proud to be a Moc, and I’m honored to be able to share this experience with my family, friends, teammates and fans at the place that provided me an opportunity beyond high school and where I truly began to find myself as an athlete. Thank you to everyone who has supported my celebration decision. I look forward to seeing you all in Chattanooga.

Getcha popcorn ready!”

Owens played for the Mocs from 1992 to 1995 and he recorded 133 passes for 2,320 Yards and 19 Touchdowns.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at 7 PM EST the same day.

As we have said here many times at Notinhalloffame.com we are very happy for Owens’ induction and have been a supporter of this since he was first eligible three years ago. It is hard however to paint this as anything other than a little selfish and attention grabbing as it does take away from the other inductees.

Let the backlash continue.

He didn’t say the word retirement, but in a post on his Twitter account it sure seems like that is what Seattle Seahawk Safety Kam Chancellor announced. This is what he had to say:

“I always prayed to God and told myself that I would play this game of football until the wheels fall off. Well the wheels didn’t fall off, but God has given me a sign that I just can’t ignore. I’ve played through all types of bruises and injuries at a high level. But this one, I just can’t ignore. When the doctors told me what was going on in Nov, I could feel my heart drop to my stomach. The stiffness in my neck and the images that I saw had me at one of my lowest points as a Man, because football is all I knew outside of serving the Lord. To walk away from the game by choice is one thing, to walk away from the game because of the risk of paralysis is another. My final test showed no healing. I put all my blood, sweat, and tears into this game. On the field, off the field, pouring into my teammates, coaches, opponents, friends, family, and so many more. God has blessed me with an amazing opportunity to show the world my gifts he has given me, and my heart to love everyone and everything. Not everyone and everything has loved me back, but through the grace of God I have been able to see the good in it all and forgive what needs to be forgiven and continue to love anyway. If it weren’t for everybody God placed upon me on this journey I wouldn’t be he Man (Ballplayer) I am today. I’ve learned so many valuable lessons that I can take with me on the next journey. How to use them? I don’t know yet. But I will wait for his instructions. But I will wait for his instructions. Love is in the center of it all. LOB 4Lyfe. I love by the Golden rules (Galatians 5:14, and it has helped me touch a massive amount of people, and I pray that they touch a massive amount of people with the Love that was given to them. We are all brothers and sisters through Christ and we were called to work together. Let’s not forget that. Forgive, forget, let go, and live on. Love your brothers and sisters. Thank you again for all of the support and Love from everyone all over. Good or Bad its all received with Love. Time for the Next chapter. Lord take the wheel…

 

P.S. Pray for your boy. I have no clue how these head injuries will go after the game. What I do know is that my God is stronger. Peace and Love.

Sure seems like a retirement to us.

In 2010, the Seahawks drafted chancellor in the 5th Round out of Virginia Tech, the only team he would ever play for professionally. In his rookie year, Chancellor played in all 16 Games in a reserve role and in 2011 he would win the starting Strong Safety job and formed a formidable backfield with Earl Thomas. Chancellor would be named to the Pro Bowl for the first time. 2012 would also be solid, but it would be the next three seasons where he would prove himself as one of the top Strong Safeties in the game.

Chancellor’s 2013 season would not only see a return to the Pro Bowl, but he was also named a Second Team All-Pro, which would be the first of two straight years he would achieve such an accolade. More importantly, Chancellor and the rest of the potent Seattle defense anchored the team to a win at Super Bowl XLVIII. In a game where the Seahawks won 43-8, Chancellor made ten combined tackles and picked off Broncos’ Quarterback Peyton Manning.

2014 would see anther Pro Bowl and another trip to the Super Bowl, though this time Seattle would go down to defeat against the New England Patriots. Chancellor was a Pro Bowl Selection for the fourth and final time in 2015.

In the 2017 season, Chancellor suffered a season ending neck injury in week 10 of the season. As it turned out, it was essentially a career ending injury.

While we don’t think that Kam Chancellor will make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we do think it is possible that the Seahawks will honor him in the future in some capacity.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Kam Chancellor the best in his post-playing career, and we are a little haunted by that last statement of his where he openly worried about head injuries.

The game of football is certainly changing.

Terrell Owens has really made himself the centerpiece of this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony hasn’t he? This is a pretty impressive accomplishment considering that he won’t even be there.

Today, TMZ showed Owens speaking about the honor of being a Hall of Famer to the Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles. This has certainly raised some eyebrows as people have wondered why he would say it such a great honor when he is skipping the ceremony, though it again should be reiterated that he never said anything about it not be…just that he will celebrate in his own way.

Other Hall of Famers have sounded off on Owens’ decision. Former Defensive Back Rod Woodson had this to say to NFL Network:

“I really don’t care if he comes or not. But what bothers me more than anything is that in T.O.’s life, he’s had different things that happened to him in his life, but there’s people who helped him come along through his childhood, high school, college, to get to the point where he’s at to be one of the better players to ever play in the National Football League … you can be there to acknowledge them. And they lose out, because he’s thinking, ‘It’s all about T.O.’”

It is hard to dispute this logic. Would TMZ mention this if he were going to the ceremony in Canton? Of course not!

This is the first time that a player who was alive and in good health has skipped out on the Hall of Fame induction.

We know this much, this story has some legs left.

Wow…

Terrell Owens was selected to join the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past winter and his section was particularly newsworthy as he was publically upset about being passed over during his first two years of eligibility. Owens went as far to make his own blazer, which illustrated his accomplishments. Now, when he is about to receive the real thing, he has announced that he won’t be in attendance at the ceremony.

Owens had this to say:

“While I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity, I have made the decision to publicly decline my invitation to attend the induction ceremony in Canton, I have already shared this information with the Hall. After visiting Canton earlier this year, I came to the realization that I wish to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable days of my life elsewhere. At a later date, I will announce where and when I will celebrate my induction. I wish to congratulate all past, current and future inductees," Owens' statement read. "It is quite an honor to be part of such elite company. This honor is something that I will cherish forever."

It is hard to be surprised at this announcement from Owens.

Owens has always been an eccentric case and we expect that many will paint this Owens being selfish and deflecting the attention towards himself, especially if his celebration garners media attention.

We will say this emphatically, as we are not exactly thrilled to see Owens shun the ceremony we are very happy that he was inducted in the first place. He deserves the honor regardless of how he wants to celebrate it.

A lot of what we do on Notinhalloffame.com is maintaining existing sections. One of those is the Football Futures where players take their time in retiring in hopes of latching on to another team. As such, it feels like we are constantly adding batches to our futures section and today is one of those days.

We have had some new names to the 2021 and 2022 Football Futures list:

They are as follows:

2021:

B.J. Raji: A Nose Tackle who spent his entire career with the Green Bay Packers, B.J. Raji helped the Pack win Super Bowl XLV. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2011.

Brandon Meriweather: A Defensive Back from Miami of Florida, Brandon Meriweather would be a Pro Bowl representative in both 2009 and 2010.

Jerod Mayo: Mayo was named the 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 and would go on to two Pro Bowls. In a career spent entirely with the New England Patriots, he would help his team win two Super Bowls.

Jon Beason: “Big Beas” came from the legendary University of Miami and would become a three time Pro Bowler at Linebacker.

Louis Vazquez: Vazquez would help the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50 while going to a Pro Bowl in 2013.

Tim Jennings: Jennings would win a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears but later would go to two Pro Bowls as a Chicago Bear.

2022:

Antonio Cromartie: Cromartie was a four time Pro Bowl Cornerback who spent most of his career with the New York Jets.

Jeremy Zuttah: Zuttah was a Pro Bowl Center in 2016, which was his final season in the NFL.

Jerome Felton: Felton played Fullback in the NFL where he was a Second Team All Pro and Pro Bowl Selection in 2012.

Josh Brown: Brown was a Pro Bowl Place Kicker in 2015 and in 2010 he kicked the most Field Goals in the NFL.

Ryan Clady: Clady was a four time Pro Bowl Offensive Tackle who assisted the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50.

Don’t be surprised if we add more to the 2021 and 2022 Football Futures later on in the year. We are also in the beginning stages of prepping our 2023 Football Futures.

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com hope that you will cast your votes and offer your opinions!

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.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the latest class and may of those that pundits pegged to be selected will soon receive a new blazer for their closet and their likeness in Canton.

Let’s take a look at those who were chosen:

While this is not the headliner for most for Notinhalloffame.com we are most thrilled by the selection of Senior Candidate, Jerry Kramer. Kramer had been the only member of the NFL 50th Anniversary Team not be to enshrined and this injustice ended today. Kramer was a two time Super Bowl Champion and five time NFL Champion with the Green Bay Packers

Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher were selected both on their first ballot. Lewis was as close to a slam dunk cinch as you could get as he was a former two time Defensive Player of the Year and two time Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens. The Linebacker was also a seven time First Team All Pro.

Urlacher spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears where he was a five time First Team All Pro. He was the 2005 AP Defensive Payer of the Year.

Brian Dawkins (Weapon X) was also chosen. The Safety was a sixteen year veteran predominantly playing for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a four time First Team All Pro and nine time Pro Bowl Selection.

Rounding out the defensive side of the ledger is Robert Brazile, A.K.A., “Dr. Doom”. Brazile went to seven Pro Bowls in a career spent only with the Houston Oilers.

Two Wide Receivers were chosen in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, the two most dynamic and controversial players in that position of their era. Moss gets in on his first ballot while Owens, who actually has better career statistics was made to wait until the third. It is difficult to think that having T.O. wait was not a message.

The final inductee is former executive, Bobby Beathard.

Those who were not selected were Tony Boselli, Isaac Bruce, Alan Faneca, Steve Hutchinson, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, Ty Law, John Lynch, Kevin Mawae and Everson Walls.

We will be revising our Notinhalloffame.com Football list next month to reflect those who are eligible in 2019.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

As the National Football League post season is in the final eight stage we here at Notinhalloffame.com have been working on our 2022 Football Futures section. Before that however, we have added some previously omitted (not retired as of yet when we put up our 2021 section) from our 2021 Football Futures.

The added players are as follows:

Billy Cundiff, a Pro Bowl Place Kicker in 2010.

Brandon Browner, a two time Super Bowl winning Cornerback.

Brandon Fields, a Pro Bowl Punter in 2013.

Dwayne Bowe, A Pro Bowl Wide Receiver in 2010.

Jacoby Jones, A Pro Bowler in 2012 for Special Teams and Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens.

Jason Babin, A two time Pro Bowl Linebacker.



Jay Ratliff, a four time Pro Bowl Selection at Defensive Tackle. He was also a Frist Team All Pro in 2009.

LaMarr Woodley, a Pro Bowl Linebacker in 2009 and Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Michael Vick, a four time Pro Bowl Quarterback.

Miles Austin, a Wide Receiver who was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2009 & 2010.

Owen Daniels, a two time Pro Bowl Tight End who won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

Roddy White, a four time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver who was also a First Team All Pro in 2010.

Shaun Phillips, a Pro Bowl Linebacker in 2009.

Steven Jackson, a three time Pro Bowl Running Back who was twice a Second Team All Pro.



Wes Welker, a six time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver who was also a two time First Team All-Pro.

William Moore, a 2012 Pro Bowl Selection at Strong Safety

These former players join Antrel Rolle, Ben Grubbs, Calvin Johnson, Charles Tillman, Charles Woodson, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Greg Jennings, Heath Miller, Jason Hatcher, Justin Tuck, Logan Mankins, Peyton Manning and Rashean Mathis.

The entire 2021 list can be found here.

The 2022 Football Futures will be up shortly.

As always we look forward to your thoughts on the new entries and we thank you for your continued support.

Terrell Owens has a reputation of being a Quarterback killer and a poor teammate, two reasons that have been given as to why he is not yet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Now entering his third year on the ballot, TMZ caught up with T.O.’s former QB, Jeff Garcia who is a strong believer that Owens belongs in Canton:

“With what he was able to accomplish statistically, being a top 5, top 2 guy in many categories. Stop beating around it, the guy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Put him in the Hall of Fame.”

Remember this is coming from a guy who Owens publically implied was gay (he’s not) and feuded with in the locker room. This should be considered quite the endorsement.

Now what is Donovan McNabb saying right now?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their Finalists for the Class of 2018.

Let’s get right to who they have chosen to make the final round:

Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver. LAR/STL 1994-07 & SF 2008-09.

Bruce was a pivotal member of the Rams Super Bowl XXXIV “Greatest Show on Turf” team and he is a four time Pro Bowler. His He also led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1996 and his 15,208 career total puts him 5th overall all-time. This is his second time as a Finalist. Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli, Offensive Tackle. JAX 1995-01 & HOU 2002.

Boselli is arguably the greatest Jaguar of all-time and he was a five time Pro Bowl and three time First Team All Pro Selection. He was named the NFL Alumni Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1998. Boselli is a second time Finalist. Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Dawkins, Safety. PHI 1996-08 & DEN 2009-11.

“Weapon X” was a nine time Pro Bowl and four time First Team All Pro Selection. Dawkins has 1,131 Tackles, 26 Quarterback Sacks and 37 Interceptions over his career. This is his Dawkins’ second year as a Finalist. Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Alan Faneca, Offensive Guard. PIT 1998-07, NYJ 2008-09 & ARI 2010.

Faneca was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XL winning team while also going to nine Pro Bowls. Faneca was also chosen for six First Team All Pro rosters. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Hutchinson, Offensive Guard. SEA 2001-05, MIN 2006-11 &TEN 2012.

Hutchinson is in his first year of eligibility and is a seven time Pro Bowl Selection. He was also a five time First Team All Pro. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Edgerrin James, Running Back. IND 1999-05, ARI 2006-08 & SEA 2009.

James was a two time Rushing Champion, four time Pro Bowl Selection and one time First Team All-Pro who was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1999. The Running Back has 12,246 career Rushing Yards, which is good enough for 12th overall. Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Jacoby, Offensive Tackle. WAS 1981-93

Jacoby is a three time Super Bowl Champion with the Washington Redskins and a member of the famed “Hogs”. He is also a four time Pro Bowler who is in his third straight year as a Finalist. Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ray Lewis, Linebacker. BAL 1996-12.

In his first year of eligibility, Ray Lewis brings a resume featuring two Super Bowl Rings, a Super Bowl MVP, two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, thirteen Pro Bowls and seven First Team All Pro Selections. Lewis had 31 Interceptions with 41.5 Quarterback Sacks over his career. Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ty Law, Cornerback. NE 1995-04, NYJ 2005, KC 2006-07, NYJ 2008 & DEN 2009.

Law is a three time Super Bowl Champion and a five time Pro Bowl Selection. The Cornerback would twice lead the National Football League in Interceptions. This is his second year as a Hall of Fame Finalist. Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Lynch, Safety. TAM 1993-03 & DEN 2004-07.

Lynch was a huge part of Tampa’s Super Bowl XXXVII win and he is a nine time Pro Bowler. Lynch was also a two time First Team All Pro. This is the fifth time that Lynch has been a Finalist. Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kevin Mawae, Center. SEA 1994-97, TEN 1998-05 & TEN 2006-09.

Mawae went to an incredible eight Pro Bowls and made three First Team All Pros. Mawae is a Finalist for the second time. Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randy Moss, Wide Receiver. MIN 1998-04, OAK 2005-06, NE 2007-10, MIN 2010, TEN 2010 & SF 2012.

This is the first year that Moss is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A six time Pro Bowl Selection, Moss was also a four time First Team All Pro and would lead the NFL in Touchdown Receptions four times. His 156 Receiving TDs is second all-time and he is also fourth all-time in Receiving Yards with 15,292. Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver. SF 1996-03, PHO 2004-05, DAL 2006-08, BUF 2009 & CIN 2010.

T.O. is a Finalist for the third straight time and he is a six time Pro Bowl and five time First Team All Pro Selection. Owens would lead the NFL in Touchdown Receptions three times and has 153 in his career, which is third all time. He is also second all time in Receiving Yards with 15,934. Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Urlacher, Linebacker. CHI 2000-12.

Urlacher is a Hall of Fame Finalist in his first year of eligibility and he is an eight time Pro Bowl Selection and former Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Everson Walls, Cornerback. Dal 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93.

Walls would win a Super Bowl with the New York Giants but he was a star for nearly a decade with Dallas prior. He was a four time Pro Bowl Selection and three time NFL Interception leader. Noticeably, this is his first time making the Finals after being eligible for twenty years! Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

These players join three automatic Finalists who were chosen months ago:

Bobby Beathard

Beathard is this year’s Contributor Nominee. Beathhard has four Super Bowl Rings, two with Miami as the Director of Player Personnel and two with the Redskins as the General Manager.

Robert Brazile, Linebacker. Hou 1975-84.

“Dr. Doom” was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975 and was also a seven time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jerry Kramer, Offensive Guard. GB 1958-68.

The other Senior Candidate, Kramer is a two time Super Bowl Champion and five time NFL Champion. The five time First Team All Pro is the only member of the NFL 75th Anniversary Team not to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Class of 2018 will be selected during the Super Bowl Weekend.

You know that we will be watching!

It is official.

Devin Hester announced via Twitter in the best Devin Hester way possible that he would be retiring from professional football.

“I have good news and bad news. Good news: Commissioner Goodell, you can put the kickoff back at the 30. Bad news, Y’all will have to find a new favorite returner….

…Hopefully next time I see y’all it’ll be in Canton.”

Hester retires as the most successful returner all-time with 19 Return Touchdowns (plus one more on a missed Field Goal). 14 of those Returns came from Punt Returns, an all-time record.

Hester was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of 2006 out of Miami (FL) and like so many rookie receivers he was utilized as a returner. Hester blossomed in this role, leading the NFL in Punt Return Yards, Return Touchdowns and making First Team All Pro honors. Hester would play another seven seasons with the Bears, earning two more First Team All Pro Selections.

In 2014, Hester would play with Atlanta and at the age of 32 he would be again named a First Team All-Pro and was the NFL leader in Kick Return Yards.

While there is no question that Devin Hester will go down as one of the best retuners ever, we always ask one question here:

Is Devin Hester a Hall of Famer?

Hester was regarded as the best at his position at one point, and we will argue that with the current rules he will be the last great returner in league history. He changed the way Special Teams coordinators thought and he gave Chicago (and Atlanta for one season) a dynamic weapon to be feared and was a popular figure. He also had another 16 Touchdowns as a Wide Receiver, with 255 Receptions, certainly a number that should add to his overall resume.

The problem of course is the Pro Football Hall of Fame and how they have treated Special Teams in the past. It has not been a stellar one, and this could easily hamper his road to Canton.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com will be ranking Hester once he is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (which will be in 2022), and expect it to be a high one at that.

Thank you Devin for the memories on the field and we look forward to seeing what you will do next!

Can we say again how much we love “Hall of Fame Season”?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their Semi-Finalists are out and it brings out many familiar faces.

Let’s get right to the 27 Semi-Finalists:

Steve Atwater: Safety, DEN 1989-98 & NYJ 1999. Atwater is a Semi-Finalist for the seventh year in a row and he was a two time All-Pro Selection. Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber: Cornerback/Safety, TB 1997-2012. Barber is entering his first year of eligibility and is a three time First Team All-Pro Selection. Barber helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl XXXVII. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli: Offensive Tackle, JAX 1995-01 & HOU 2002. Boselli is a Semi-Finalist for the third time and was a five time Pro Bowl Selection. He was also a three time First Team All Pro. Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Isaac Bruce: Wide Receiver, LAR/STL 1994-07 & SF 2008-09. Bruce is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight time and is a four time Pro Bowler. Bruce had 15,208 Receiving Yards over his career, which is fourth all-time overall. Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler. Safety, GB 1990-01. While Butler has been Hall of Fame eligible since 2007, this is his first appearance as a Semi-Finalist. Butler was both a four time First Team All Pro and Pro Bowl Selection and he is also a Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Coryell: Coach, STL 1973-77 & SD 1978-86. Don “Air” Coryell is a Semi-Finalist for the tenth time and for the ninth year in a row.

Roger Craig: Running Back, SF 1983-90, LAR 1991 & MIN 1992-93. Craig returns as a Semi-Finalist for the tenth time in a row. He is a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1988) and a three time Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Dawkins: Safety, PHI 1996-08. Dawkins is a Semi-Finalist for the second year in a row and was a Finalist last year, which was his first year of eligibility. He went to nine Pro Bowls and was chosen for four First Team All Pros. Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Alan Faneca: Offensive Guard, PIT 1998-07, NYJ 2008-09 & ARI 2010. Faneca is a Semi-Finalist for the third time and was also a Finalist the last two years. Faneca went to nine Pro Bowls, was a six time First Team All Pro Selection and is a former Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver, STL1999-08 & JAX 2009. Holt is a six time Pro Bowler who twice led the NFL in Receiving Yards. This is his fourth time as a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Hutchinson: Offensive Guard, SEA 2001-05, MIN 2006-11 & TEN 2012. Hutchinson is in his first year of eligibility and is a five time First Team All Pro Selection. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.



Joe Jacoby: Offensive Tackle, WAS 1981-93. Jacoby is a Semi-Finalist for the eighth time and was a Finalist last year. The two time Pro Bowler was also a three time Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Edgerrin James: Running Back, IND 1999-05, ARI 2006-08 & SEA 2009. James is a four time Pro Bowl Selection and a two time Rushing Champion. This is his fourth time in a row as a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jimmy Johnson: Coach, DAL 1989-93 & MIA 1996-99. Johnson is a two time Super Bowl winner and a five time Semi-Finalist.

Ty Law: Cornerback, NE 1995-04, NYJ 2005 & 08, KC 2006-07 & DEN 2009. Law is a five time Pro Bowler and three time Super Bowl Champion. He is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth time and was a Finalist last year. Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ray Lewis. Linebacker, BAL 1996-12. This is the first year of Ray Lewis’ Hall of Fame eligibility and likely his last as he should get in immediately. He is a two time Super Bowl Champion and also a two time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.   Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Lynch. Safety, TB 1993-03 & DEN 2003-07. Lynch is a Semi-Finalist for the sixth time in a row and has also been a past Finalist. Lunch went to nine Pro Bowls and was a Super Bowl Champion with Tampa Bay. Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kevin Mawae. Center/Offensive Guard, SEA 1994-97, NYJ 1998-05 & TEN 2006-09. Mawae is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth year in a row and is also a past Finalist. He is also an eight time Pro Bowl and three time First Team All Pro Selection. Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Karl Mecklenburg. Linebacker, DEN 1983-84. Mecklenburg is now a Semi-Finalist for the seventh straight time and he is a six time Pro Bowler. Ranked #66 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randy Moss. Wide Receiver, MIN 1998-04, OAK 2005-06, NE 2007-10, TEN 2010 & SF 2012. This the first year of eligibility for Moss who was one of the most dynamic players ever. Moss was a four time First Team All Pro Selection who is third all time in Receiving Yards. Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Leslie O’Neal. Defensive End, SD 1986 & 1988-95, STL 1996-97 & KC 1998-99. Despite being eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2005, this is the first time that O’Neal has become a Semi-Finalist. He is a six time Pro Bowler. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Terrell Owens. Wide Receiver, SF 1996-03, PHI 2004-05, DAL 2006-08, BUF 2009 & CIN 2010. Owens returns for the third time in the Semi-Finals and he was a Finalist the previous two years. T.O. is second overall in Receiving Yards and is a five time First Team All Pro Selection. Of course, he already has a Hall of Fame jacket, whether he gets in or not! Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Simeon Rice. Defensive End, AZ 1996-00, TB 2001-06, DEN 2007 & IND 2007. Rice is on his first year of eligibility and is a former three time Pro Bowl Selection and Super Bowl Champion with Tampa Bay. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richard Seymour. Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, NE 2001-08 & OAK 2009-12. This is the first year of eligibility for Seymour who was a three time Super Bowl Champion and seven time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Urlacher. Linebacker, CHI 2000-12. Urlacher is Hall of Fame eligible for the first time in his career and he was an eight time Pro Bowl and four time First Team All Pro Selection. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Everson Walls. Cornerback, DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93. Despite being eligible for the Pro Football for nearly twenty years, this is the first time that Walls made it to the Semi-Finals. Walls was a four time Pro Bowl Selection and he led the NFL in Interceptions three times. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward. Wide Receiver, PIT 1998-11. Ward is a Semi-Finalist for the second time in a row and he is a four time Pro Bowl Selection and a Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

This group of Semi-Finalists will be trimmed down to fifteen in January. They will automatically be joined by Contributor Finalist, Bobby Beathard and two Senior Finalists; Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile.

As you can imagine, we will be paying close attention to that announcement!

Not all Hall of Famers are created equal.

While there are many busts in Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame only a select few got there on their first try, and let’s face it; those are the ones we gravitate to the most when we visit the Holy Grail of Professional Football accomplishments.

If you look at the past eight classes there have only been 13 first ballot inductees; Larry Allen (2013), Derrick Brooks (2014), Marshall Faulk (2011), Brett Favre (2016), Walter Jones (2014), Jonathan Ogden (2013), Jerry Rice (2010), Deion Sanders (2011), Warren Sapp (2013), Junior Seau (2015), Emmitt Smith (2010), Jason Taylor (2017) and LaDainian Tomlinson (2017) and a lot of talented players have had to wait longer than anticipated.

This includes Terrell Owens, who despite being second all-time in receiving yards has been passed over, likely due to being a divisive presence in numerous NFL locker rooms and his off field shenanigans. The discussion of Owens naturally leads to the newly eligible wide receiver, Randy Moss.

Moss is behind T.O. at third overall in Receiving Yards and like Owens Randy Moss has had his share of poor behavior in and out of the game, though his transition to the media makes him a far more “likable” candidate and one who may leapfrog Owens in the pecking order. Moss is joined by two other strong first ballot candidates, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, both of which should get in, though only Lewis seems like a lock to get suited for a blazer next year.

According to MyTopSportsbooks.com, there are only two sure-fire inductees in the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class: Ray Lewis and Randy Moss. With Moss and Owens on the ballot, the committee is unlikely to put them both in, which could spell another disappointment for the acerbic T.O.   Urlacher, could find himself following last year’s debut candidate, Brain Dawkins who is now in his second year of eligibility. If Dawkins did not get in on his first try, it should be expected that the former Chicago Bear will have a bit of a wait.

The Semi-Finalists will be announced in approximately one month’s time.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com have always been fond of the fact that the Pro Football Hall of Fame has preliminary nominees; so much so that we incorporated that in both our Fictitious Athlete and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As such, we are pleased to bring to you the preliminary nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

All of the first year candidates will be underlined, and the returning Finalists will have an asterisk.

Let’s take a look shall we?

Quarterbacks:

Randall Cunningham: PHI 1985-95, MIN 1997-99, DAL 2000 & BAL 2001. Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rich Gannon: MIN 1987-92, WAS 1993, KC 1995-98 & OAK 1993-04.

Donovan McNabb: PHI 1999-09, WAS 2010 & MIN 2011. Ranked #35 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve McNair: HOU/TEN 1995-05 & BAL 2006-07. Ranked #87 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Phil Simms: NYG 1979-93. Ranked #50 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Running Backs:

Tiki Barber: NYG (1997-06). Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Earnest Byner: CLE 1984-88, WAS 1989-93 & CLE/BAL 1996-97.

Roger Craig: SF 1983-90, LAR 1991 & MIN 1992-93. Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Corey Dillon: CIN 1997-03 & NE 2004-08.

Eddie George: HOU/TEN 1996-03 & DAL 2004.

Edgerrin James: IND 1999-05, AZ 2006-08 & SEA 2009. Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lorenzo Neal: NO 1993-96, NYJ 1997, TB 1998, TEN 1999-00, CIN 2001-02, SD 2003-07 & BAL 2008.

Fred Taylor: JAX 1998-08 & NE 2009-10.

Herschel Walker: DAL 1986-89, MIN 1989-91, PHI 1992-94, NYG 1995 & DAL 1996-97. Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ricky Watters: SF 1991-94, PHI 1995-97 & SEA 1998-01. Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Wide Receivers:

*Isaac Bruce: LAR/STL 1994-07 & SF 2008-09. Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Donald Driver: GB 1999-12.

Henry Ellard: LAR 1983-93, WAS 1994-97, NE 1998 & WAS 1998. Ranked #91 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt: STL 1998-08, JAX 2009. Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chad Johnson: CIN 2001-10, NE 2011. Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randy Moss: MIN 1998-04, OAK 2005-06, NE 2007-10, TEN 2010 & SF 2012. Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Terrell Owens: SF 1996-03, PHI 2004-05, DAL 2006-08, BUF 2009 & CIN 2010. Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sterling Sharpe: GB 1988-94. Ranked #47 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jimmy Smith: DAL 1992-93 & JAX 1995-05. Ranked #96 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rod Smith: DEN 1995-07. Ranked #59 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Smith: NYG 2007-10, PHI 2011 & STL 2012.

John Taylor: SF 1987-95.

Hines Ward: PIT 1998-11. Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tight Ends:

Mark Bavaro: NYG 1985-90, CLE 1992 & PHI 1993-94.

Ben Coates: NE 1994-99 & BAL 2000. Ranked #79 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ferrell Edmunds: MIA 1988-92 & SEA 1993-94.

Jay Novacek: STL/PHX 1985-89 & DAL 1990-96. Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Offensive Linemen:

Willie Anderson (T): CIN 1996-07 & BAL 2008.

Matt Birk (C): MIN 1998-08 & BAL 2009-12. Ranked #67 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli (T): JAX 1995-01 & HOU 2002. Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lomas Brown (T): DET 1985-95, AZ 1996-98, CLE 1999, NYG 2000-01 & TB 2002.

Ruben Brown (G): BUF 1995-03 & CHI 2004-07.

Ray Donaldson (C): BAL/IND 1980-92, SEA 1993-94 & DAL 1995-96.

Alan Faneca (G): PIT 1998-07, NYJ 2008-09 & AZ 2010. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bill Fralic (G/T): ATL 1985-92.

Jay Hilgenberg (C): CHI 1981-91, CLE 1992 & NO 1993. Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Hinton (G/T): BAL/IND 1983-93, ATL 1990-92 & MIN 1994-95. Ranked #104 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kent Hull (C): BUF 1986-96.

Steve Hutchinson (G): SEA 2001-05, MIN 2006-11 & TEN 2012. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Joe Jacoby (T): WAS 1981-93. Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mike Kenn (T): ATL 1978-94. Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Kevin Mawae (C/G): SEA 1994-97, NYJ 1998-05 & TEN 2006-09. Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tom Nalen (C): DEN 1994-08.

Nate Newton (G): DAL 1986-98 & CAR 1999.

Bart Oates (C): NYG 1985-93 & SF 1994-95.

Jeff Saturday (C): IND 1999-11 & GB 2012. Ranked #76 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richmond Webb (T): MIA 1999-00 & CIN 2001-02.

Steve Wisniewski (G): LAR/OAK 1989-01. Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Linemen:

La’Roi Glover (DT/NT): NO 1997-01, DAL 2002-05 & STL 2006-08.

Leonard Marshall (DE/DT): NYG 1983-92, NYJ 1993 & WAS 1994.

Keith Millard (DT/NT/DE): MIN 1985-91, SEA 1992, GB 1992 & PHI 1993.

Leslie O’Neal (DE): SD 1986-95, STL 1996-97 & KC 1998-99.

Michael Dean Perry (DT/DE): CLE 1989-94, DEN 1995-97 & KC 1997.

Simeon Rice (DE): AZ 1996-00, TB 2001-06, DEN 2007 & IND 2007.

Richard Seymour (DT): NE 2001-08 & OAK 2009-12. Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Neil Smith (DE): KC 1988-96, DEN 1997-99 & SD 2000.

Greg Townsend (DE/NT/LB): LAR 1983-93, PHI 1994 & OAK 1997.

Kyle Vanden Bosch (DE): AZ 2001-04, TEN 2005-09 & DET 2010-12.

Bryant Young (DT): SF 1994-07

Linebackers:

Carl Banks: NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993 & CLE 1994-95.

Cornelius Bennett: BUF 1987-95, ATL 1996-98 & IND 1999-00.

Tedy Bruschi: NE 1996-08.

Seth Joyner: PHI 1986-93, AZ 1994-96, GB 1997 & DEN 1998.

Ray Lewis: BAL 1996-12. Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Greg Lloyd: PIT 1988-97 & CAR 1998. Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Wilber Marshall: CHI 1984-87, WAS 1988-92, HOU 1993, AZ 1994 & NYJ 1995.

Clay Matthews: CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96.

Willie McGinest: NE 1994-05 & CLE 2006-08.

Karl Mecklenburg: DEN 1983-94. Ranked #66 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sam Mills: NO 1986-94 & CAR 1995-97. Ranked #92 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joey Porter: PIT 199-06, MIA 2007-09 & AZ 2010-11. Ranked #98 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Darryl Talley: BUF 1983-94, ATL 1995 & MIN 1996.

Zach Thomas: MIA 1996-2007 & DAL 2008.

Brian Urlacher: CHI 2000-12. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Backs:

Eric Allen (CB): PHI 1988-94, NO 1995-97 & OAK 1998-01. Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Atwater (S): DEN 1989-98 & NYJ 1999. Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber (CB/S): TB 1997-12. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler (S): GB 1990-01. Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

*Brian Dawkins (SS): PHI 1996-08 & DEN 2009-11. Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rodney Harrison (S): SD 1994-02 & NE 2003-08.

*Ty Law (CB): NE 1995-04, NYJ 2005, KC 2006-07, NYJ 2008 & DEN 2009. Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Albert Lewis (CB): KC 1983-93 & LAR/OAK 1994-98.

*John Lynch (S): TB 1993-03 & DEN 2004-07. Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dennis Smith (S): DEN 1981-94.

Everson Walls (CB): DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93

Darren Woodson (S): DAL 1992-03..

Place Kickers/Punters:

Gary Anderson (K): PIT 1982-94, PHI 1995-96, SF 1997, MIN 1998-02 & TEN 2003-04

Sean Landeta (P): NYG 1985-93, LAR/STL 1993-96, TB 1997, GB 1998, PHI 1999-02, STL 2003-04, PHI 2005 & NYG 2006.

Nick Lowery (K): NE 1978, KC 1980-93 & NYJ 1994-96.

Special Teams:

Brian Mitchell (KR/PR): WAS 1990-99, PHI 2000-02 & NYG 2003.

Steve Tasker (ST): HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97. Ranked #95 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Coaches:

*Don Coryell: STL 1973-77 & SD 1978-86.

Bill Cowher: PIT 1992-06.

Tom Flores: OAK/LAR 1979-87 & SEA 1992-94.

Mike Holmgren: GB 1992-98 & SEA 1999-08.

Jimmy Johnson: DAL 1989-93 & MIA 1996-99.

Chuck Knox: LAR 1973-77, BUF 1978-82, SEA 1983-91 & LAR 1992-94.

Buddy Parker: DET 1951-56 & PIT 1957-64.

Richie Petitbon: WAS 1981-93.

Dan Reeves: DEN 1981-92, NYG 1993-96 & ATL 1997-03

Marty Schottenheimer: CLE 1984-89, KC 1989-98 & WAS 2001.

Clark Shaugnessy: LAR 1978-49 & CHI 1951--62

Dick Vermeil: PHI 1976-82, STL 1997-99 & KC 2001-05.

Please note that we don not rank coaches.

Mild surprise omissions at this stage include Quarterback Drew Bledsoe and Running Back, Shaun Alexander.

Perhaps the biggest head scratcher is that Steve Smith was chosen. We have to wonder if they thought they were voting for the recently retired Steve Smith Sr., who is eligible for Canton in 2022 and has over 14,000 Receiving Yards. This Steve Smith played five years and has 2,641 Receiving Yards.

We are guessing that Smith won’t make the next round.

Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile have already advanced as Senior Finalists. Bobby Beathard has been announced as the Contributor Finalist

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who made it this far and we will be eagerly anticipating those who will advance to the Semi-Finals.

It is another big day in relation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the Bobby Beathard has been named this year’s Contributor Finalist.

Beathard’s career began with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963 as a Scout and while he would leave the team briefly to work directly for the American Football League but would return to the Chiefs and during their 1966 AFL Championship Season. He would later scout for the Atlanta Falcons from 1968 to 1971 and would join the Miami Dolphins in ’72 as their Director of Player Personnel and would win two Super Bowl Rings in the process.

Beathard would be recruited by the Washington Redskins to become their General Manager and he transformed the team into a perennial power. During his tenure, the Skins would make it to three Super Bowls and win two of them. In the 90’s he would take over the GM role in San Diego and built a team that reached their first Super Bowl.

This is the first time that Beathard has been nominated.

Damn we love social media.

How can we not?  It brings us a continuous source of news!

Today, former Running Back Fred Taylor lamented on Twitter about his exclusion from the upcoming induction of the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

On Twitter, he had the following to say:

“I earned respect on the field.  Numbers better than majority of RBs in history.  Still don’t understand why the writers don’t respect it.”

“Not just backs that have come and gone in NFL HISTORY…but better than majority of the backs in the HOF…” 

“Don’t tell me anything about eras. AFC had top defenses in my division alone (Ravens, Steelers, Titans) to name a few.  That’s twice a year”

“I was once asked a rhetorical question like ‘do you want to be nominated’ ummm, I bust my ass for 13 years! Figure it out lol”

Taylor does make some valid points.  At present, Taylor is ranked 17th overall in Rushing Yards with 11,695, which is a number that does exceed many Hall of Fame Backs, including Terrell Davis who was chosen for this year.  Notable too, is that Taylor was exceptionally durable, an ever increasing rarity in the National Football League. 

There are however some significant notes on the other side of the ledger. 

Taylor was a Pro Bowler once and only made an All Pro Team (2nd in 2007) once.  This indicates (and is true) that Taylor was never really considered an elite Running Back in any year and was essentially regarded as a very good one.  While he did finish in the top ten in Rushing Yards six times, his highest rank was 6th.

The longtime Jacksonville Jaguar has never been a Semi-Finalist for Hall of Fame consideration.  Neither has Tiki Barber or Shaun Alexander, who is a former MVP.

The bar just to make it to the cut of Semi-Finalists is hard enough let alone advancing to Canton.

While we considered Fred Taylor on our Notinhalloffame.com Football list, he did not make our cut, though we are looking to expand it soon. 

With some additional announcements, all of the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductors for 2017 have been named. 

Sebastian Andersen will induct his father, former Place Kicker Morten Andersen.

Sports Agent Neil Schwartz will induct his client and friend, Terrell Davis.

Tommy Rhodes will induct Kenny Easley, who he coached in high school.

Gene Jones will induct her husband, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Jimmy Johnson will induct his former player Jason Taylor.

Lorenzo Neal will induct his former San Diego Charger teammate LaDainian Tomlinson.

Brenda Warner will induct her husband, Kurt Warner.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities will take place the first weekend of August.

Once again we here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.