We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the NFL MVP.  As this often overlapped the Bert Bell Award, we thought we would take it a little easy, and go right to this one.

The Award is named after Bert Bell, who was the NFL Commissioner from 1946 to his death until 1959.  It is voted on by the Maxwell Football Club, which comprises of NFL Owners, football personnel, coaches and media.

So how many Bert Bell Award winners have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the Bert Bell Award who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1959)      

Johnny Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship, and in his fourth season in the NFL, he would take his team to back-to-back titles.  This year, “Johnny U” led the NFL in Completions (193), Passing Yards (2,899), Touchdown Passes (32), and he was a First Team All-Pro for the second time. Unitas would also win the NFL MVP this season.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (1960)

Norm Van Brocklin was a grizzled veteran by this time, as he played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 to 1957, and he joined the Eagles in 1958.  A Champion with the Rams in 1951, the 1960 campaign would see him go 10-2, with 2,471 Yards, and 24 Touchdowns.  In what was his ninth Pro Bowl, he would go to his first and only First Team All-Pro, while also leading the Eagles to the NFL Championship.  This was his last year as a player, as he hoped to be named the team’s head coach after.  That didn’t happen, but he would take over as the HC for the Minnesota Vikings.  Van Brocklin retired with a record of 61-36-4 with 23,611 Yards and 173 Touchdowns. He would also win the AP MVP this year.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers, Halfback & Kicker (1961)

A former Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame, Paul Hornung played his entire with the Green Bay Packers, and in 1960, he rushed for 597 Yards.  The Packers would also win the NFL Championship that year, and he was also rewarded with the NFL AP.  Hornung played until 1966, and won three more titles with Green Bay.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Andy Robustelli, New York Giants, Defensive End (1962)

In his tenth season in the NFL, Andy Robustelli became the first defensive player to win the Bert Bell Award.  The Defensive End was already a two-time NFL Champion (1951 with Los Angeles, 1956 with New York) and he would already go to seven Pro Bowls and was chosen for six First Team All-Pros.  Curiously, this year he was neither a Pro Bowl, nor a First Team All-Pro, and he would never win those awards again, as he played only two more seasons.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (1963)

By 1963, Jim Brown had already won the AP MVP twice and the UPI MVP once, and in 1963 he would secure his sixth Rushing Title. While he was not awarded the AP MVP this year, the Bert Bell Award was his, and it came in his best statistical season.  Brown rushed for a career-high of 1,863 Rushing Yards, and he led the NFL in 12 Rushing Touchdowns.  Brown played two more seasons, winning the NFL Championship in 1964 and capturing his third AP MVP and UPI MVP in 1965, which would be his final season, as the Running Back would abruptly retire.  He would finish his career with 12,312 Rushing Yards, which was then the all-time record.  In the nine seasons he played, Brown was a Pro Bowl in all of them, and a First Team All-Pro in eight.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (2) (1964)

This season, Unitas took his team to the NFL Championship, though they would fall to the Cleveland Browns in an upset. Regardless, this was a stellar regular season for the “Golden Arm”, as Unitas was chosen for his third First Team All-Pro and he threw for 19 TDs against only 6 Interceptions.  Unitas also went 12-2 with 2,824 Yards.  Also the AP MVP this season, Unitas became the first repeat Bert Bell Award winner.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (3) (1967)

Arguably, this is the last great season of Unitas’s career, who would play until 1973, with one forgettable year in San Diego. 1967 saw him go to his tenth Pro Bowl and fifth First Team All-Pro, both of which would be his last.  Also winning the AP MVP this year, Unitas threw for 20 Touchdowns and 3,428 Yards, and for the first and only time in his career, he led the NFL in Completion Percentage (58.5).  When he retired, he had a record of 118-63-4, 40,239 Passing Yards and 290 Touchdowns.  He is a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, 75^thAnniversary Team and 100^thAnniversary Team.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Leroy Kelly, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (1968)

It is impossible to follow Jim Brown in the Browns backfield, but Leroy Kelly did a pretty good job.  Kelly was a First Team All-Pro in 1966 and repeated that in both 1967 and 1968.  Kelly won the Rushing Title in both ’67 and ’68, with the latter seeing him put up personal highs in both categories (1,239 Rushing Yards and 16 Rushing Touchdowns). Kelly also led the NFL in All-Purpose Yards (1,536) and Touchdowns (20).  He played until 1973 (all with Cleveland), and he retired with 7,274 Rushing Yards, 9,555 All-Purpose Yards and 87 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

George Blanda, Oakland Raiders, Kicker (1970)

The first Oakland Raider to win the Bert Bell Award, George Blanda seemed to earn a lifetime achievement award as this was not exactly a banner year for the former Quarterback/Kicker.  Blanda began his career in 1949, and he was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection prior to winning this honor.  Blanda was 43 years old, and was mostly used just as a Place Kicker at this point and as awesome as his overall career was, he was not realistically among the top 100 players in football at this point.  Blanda played until 1975, and he was named the Man of the Year in 1974. While we have major respect for Blanda, this was a horrific choice for 1970 and it cheapened the award.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.

Roger Staubach, Dallas Cowboys, Quarterback (1971)

Roger Staubach became the second Cowboys Quarterback to win Bert Bell Award and he did so in his third year in the NFL. This season, the Cowboys would win their first Super Bowl, with “Captain Comeback” winning the Super Bowl MVP. During the regular season, the former Navy star had 15 Touchdown passes, 1,882 Passing Yards, and finished first in Quarterback Rating (104.8).  The Quarterback played his entire career with Dallas and he would throw for 22,700 Passing Yards with 153 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1973)

The accomplishments of O.J. Simpson in 1973 was at its time in the stratosphere.  The Running Back became the first player to exceed 2,000 Yards on the ground (2,003) and he also led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (12) and Yards from Scrimmage (2,073).  Simpson also won the AP MVP, NEA MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year.  This was the second of what would be four Rushing Titles, and he finished his career in 1979 with 11,236 Rushing Yards and 94 Touchdowns, with another 14 TDs coming from the air.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

Merlin Olsen, Los Angeles Rams, Defensive Tackle (1974)

Merlin Olsen debuted in 1962 and was a Pro Bowl that season.  He would repeat that accolade every year until his final season in 1976.  Becoming the first Defensive Tackle to win the Bert Bell Award, this feels more like a “Lifetime Achievement Award” as this was well past his five straight seasons of being a First Team All-Pro (1966-70), though this was still a good season for the native of Utah.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback(1975)

The best scrambling Quarterback of the 1970s, Fran Tarkenton would lead the NFL in Completions (273) and Touchdown Passes (25) with 2,994 Yards.   He would also win the AP MVP this year.  This was his eighth of nine Pro Bowl Selections, and he would finish his career with 47,003 Yards and 342 Touchdowns, while also rushing for 3,674 Yards and another 32 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (1976)

Two years before, Ken Stabler won the AP MVP, NEA MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year.  While “The Snake” did not in any of those this season (nor was he even a First Team All-Pro), he was s till a Pro Bowler, led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (27), and more importantly led the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl win. He stayed with Oakland until 1979, and played five more years with the New Orleans Saints before retiring.  He would have 27,938 Passing Yards with 194 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Bob Griese, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1977)

The two Super Bowls were behind him, but Bob Griese still had a lot left in a career spent entirely with the Miami Dolphins. This season, Griese led the NFL in Passing Touchdowns (22) and Passer Rating (87.8) while throwing for 2,252 Yards. He would be named a First Team All-Pro for the second and final time and was a Pro Bowl for the fifth of what would be six selections.  He ended his career in 1980m and would accumulate 25,092 Yards with 192 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback (1978)

You win a lot of games when you have as good a defense as Terry Bradshaw had with the Steel Curtain, but don’t mistake that for the Quarterback not doing his fair share.  Playing his entire career (1970-83) with Pittsburgh, Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, with 1978 being his third.  This season, he would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (28) with 2,915 Passing Yards, and would win the AP MVP.  He retired in 1983 with 27,989 Passing Yards and 212 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (1979)

Coming out of the University of Texas, Earl Campbell was the best Running Back in the first three years of his NFL career, all of which seeing him win the Rushing Title and Offensive Player of the Year.  1979 was the second of those seasons, and in addition to leading the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,697) and also first in Rushing Touchdowns (19).  He also won the AP MVP this year.  Campbell would play until 1985 and would have 10,213 Yards from Scrimmage with 74 Touchdowns over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

John Riggins, Washington Redskins, Running Back (1983)

You are not supposed to have your best year as a Running Back at age 34 but that is precisely what John Riggins did as a member of the Washington Redskins in 1983.  This year, he would run the ball into the end zone 24 times, well ahead of any other Back.  Rushing for 1,347 Yards this year, he was a First Team All-Pro, and would take Washington to a Super Bowl appearance.  He retired in 1985 with 11,352 career Rushing Yards and 104 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.  

Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1984)

Playing his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, this was the second season that Dan Marino was in the NFL.  This year, he shattered the Passing Yards record with 5,084, making him the first QB to hit the 5,000 mark.  He also threw for 48 Touchdowns, destroying Y.A. Tittle’s 36 in 1963.  Marino was also first in Quarterback rating (108.9), Approximate Value (21), Completions (362), and also won the AP MVP.  The Dolphin pivot would lead the NFL in Passing Yards four more times, and after he retired in 1999, he would have 61,361 Yards with 420 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Walter Payton, Chicago Bears, Running Back (1985)

This was the year of the Super Bowl Shuffle and the Bears first title in the Super Bowl era.  It was Walter Payton, who had been their top offensive weapon for a decade that would win the Bert Bell Awards, and he would also capture his fifth and final selection to the First Team All-Pro roster.  He played two more years, and retired with what was then an all-time Rushing Yard record of 16,726.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (1986)

Arguably the greatest Linebacker of all time, Lawrence Taylor debuted in 1981, where he began a six-year streak of First Team All-Pro Selections.  This season, Taylor would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks (20.5) and won his third Defensive Player of the Year Award.  Taylor also won the AP MVP.  He would take the Giants to a Super Bowl win this year, and again four years later.  Taylor played his entire career with the Giants, and would play in 10 Pro Bowls and recorded 132.5 Sacks over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers, Wide Receiver(1987)

Also, the Offensive Player of the Year, Jerry Rice was on his third season in the NFL, and would earn his second of ten First Team All-Pro Selections.  Rice led the NFL in Receiving Yards the year before, and while his 1,078 Yards seems low, he had a career-high and league-leading 22 Touchdown Receptions. He would go on to win three Super Bowls with the 49ers and five more Receiving Yards Titles.  He finished his career with three and a half seasons in Oakland, and a half-year in Seattle.  Rice is the all-time leader in Receiving Yards (22,895) and a Receiving Touchdowns (197).  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1989)

You would have thought that Joe Montana would have won an MVP by now considering that prior to 1989, he had already won three Super Bowls with five Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro.  “Joe Cool” also had already led the NFL in Touchdown passes twice and Completion Percentage four times.  This year, Montana would win his fourth Super Bowl, was again a First Team All-Pro, an AP MVP and Pro Bowl, and he again led the league in Completion Percentage (70.2).  Montana also threw for 3,521 Passing Yards and 26 TDs. He played two final seasons in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs, and retired in 1994. He left the game with 40,551 Passing Yards and 273 Touchdown Passes.    Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (1991)

Barry Sanders won his first Rushing Title in 1990, and in 1991 he was second with 1,548.  This year saw Sanders lead the NFL Rushing Touchdowns (16), and he would be named to his second of what would be six First Team All-Pros.  Sanders, who spent his entire career in Detroit, was also a Pro Bowler, but there was never a season in the NFL where he wasn’t.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1992)

While Steve Young was the starting Quarterback for the 49ers in 1991, 1992 was the year where he proved he should be.  Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (66.7), Touchdown Passes (25) and Quarterback Rating (107.0), and would go to his first of seven straight Pro Bowls.  This year, he was also named the AP MVP.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys, Running Back (1993)

Emmitt Smith and the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl the year before, and in 1993 he won his third straight Rushing Title with 1,486 Yards.  Smith was also first in Yards from Scrimmage (1,900) and he also won the Bert Bell Award. Dallas would win the Super Bowl with Smith winning the Super Bowl MVP.  Smith would be named to the next two First Team All-Pros and secured a third Super Bowl ring two later, which coincided with his fourth Rushing Title. The Running Back played for Dallas until 2002, and had two final seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before he called it a career in 2004.  He retired with 18,355 Rushing Yards and 164 Rushing Touchdowns, which makes him first all-time.  Smith is also second all-time in All-Purpose Yards with 21,579.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (2) (1994)

In 1993, Young was again a First Team All-Pro, and was also named the AP MVP.  Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (70.3), 35 Passing Touchdowns and QB Rating (112.8).  Young would also lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl win this year.  He would have three more seasons where he finished first in Completion Percentage, one more in Touchdown Passes, and two more in QB Rating. Young played until 1999, and retired with 33,124 Passing Yards, 232 Touchdown Passes, 4,239 Rushing Yards and 43 Rushing TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1995)

After four attempts (with no completions) for the Atlanta Falcons in 1992, Brett Favre joined the Green Bay Packers where he went to the Pro Bowl in both 1992 and 1993.  In 1995, “The Gunslinger” earned his third Pro Bowl, his first First Team All-Pro, and he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards (4,413), Touchdown Passes (38), and he also won the Bert Bell Award.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (2), Quarterback (1996)

Favre had another phenomenal year where he went to Pro Bowl number four, First Team All-Pro number two, and again won the MVP and the Bert Bell Award.  Statistically, he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (39) with 3,899 Passing Yards, and he would lead the Packers to a Super Bowl win.  Favre would have four more Pro Bowls with Green Bay, one with the Jets, and one with the Vikings and retired in 2010.  He would finish his career with 71,838 Passing Yards and 508 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (2)(1997)

This was the most productive season of Barry Sanders career, where he won his fourth Rushing Title with a career-high 2,053 Rushing Yards.  He also rushed for 11 Touchdowns, and was first overall in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,358 (also a career-high).  Sanders would also win the AP MVP, and was the Offensive Player of the Year for the second time.  Sanders played one more season, retiring in his prime at 30, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his years in the NFL.  He ended his career with 15,269 Rushing Yards, 2,921 Receiving Yards and 109 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback (1999)

1999 was the improbable season ever for a Quarterback.  Kurt Warner went from Northern Iowa to bagging groceries to the Arena League and then to the NFL, where he won the back-up job to Trent Green, which in itself was a huge accomplishment.  Green would be injured in the preseason, and Warner was the starting QB, and he made the most of his opportunity.  The leader of the “Greatest Show on Turf”, Warner would throw for 4,353 Yards and lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (65.1), Touchdown Passes (41) and Quarterback Rating (109.2).  Warner would then lead the Rams to a Super Bowl Championship.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (2001)

Faulk joined the Rams in 1999, and he helped Kurt Warner and the Rams win the Super Bowl and was the Offensive Player of the Year. In his 2000 AP MVP season, Faulk led the NFL with 18 Rushing Touchdowns, 26 Total Touchdowns and had 2,189 Yards from Scrimmage.  This year would see Faulk win the Bert Bell Award and the Offensive Player of the Year with 2,147 All-Purpose Yard season with a league-leading 21 Touchdowns.  He played until 2005, accumulating six Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros, 12,279 Rushing Yards, 6,875 Passing Yards and 136 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, Running Back (2006)

Debuting in 2001, Tomlinson would have 1,236 Rushing Yards, which would be the least he would have until 2008.  This year, he would win his fourth of five Pro Bowls, second of three First Team All-Pro, and his first of two Rushing Titles with 1,815. He would also lead the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (28) and Touchdowns (31).  Tomlinson also won the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, AP MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year.  Damn, what a season!  Tomlinson played with the Chargers until 2009, and he would have two final seasons in football with the New York Jets.  His career ended with 13,684 Rushing Touchdowns, 4,772 Receiving Touchdowns and 153 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

The following are the players who have won the Bert Bell Award in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Pete Retzlaff, Philadelphia Eagles, Tight End (1965)

Pete Retzlaff would become the first Tight End to win the Bert Bell Award, and this was the first year (and only) that he would be named a First Team All-Pro.  He would have 1,190 Receiving Yards, 10 Touchdowns, and he would play one more season before calling it a career.  Retzlaff had 7,412 Receiving Yards and 47 TDs.  Eligible Since 1972.  Ranked #110 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Meredith, Dallas Cowboys, Quarterback (1966)

The first of what would be many popular Quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboy history, Don Meredith broke out in 1966.  This would be his first of three Pro Bowl seasons, and he would throw for a career-high 2,805 Passing Yards and 24 Passing Touchdowns. Meredith was not a First Team All-Pro this year, nor would he ever be one.  He retired after 1968 with 17,199 career Passing Yards and 135 TDs.  Eligible Since 1974.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams, Quarterback (1969)

The first Filipino-American star in football, Roman Gabriel was the number one pick in the 1963 Draft, but he did not become the permanent starting Quarterback for the Rams until 1966.  He would ascend into the upper-tier of NFL pivots, and he went to the Pro Bowl each year from 1967 to 1969, and in ’69, he would lead the league in Touchdown Passes (24), and he also threw for 2,549 Yards. Gabriel would also win the AP MVP this year.  Gabriel would later join the Philadelphia Eagles, winning the Comeback Player of the Year in 1973.  He played until 1977, and retired with 29,444 Passing Yards and 201 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Larry Brown, Washington Redskins, Running Back(1972)

In the first four years of Larry Brown’s career, he was one of the better Running Backs in the NFL.  Brown, who had won the Rushing Title in 1970, would not do so in 1972, but would put up a career-high in Rushing Yards in 1972.  That season, he also had another 473 Receiving Yards, and was first in the league in Yards From Scrimmage (1,689).  Brown regressed after that, and he retired in 1975 with 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs.  Brown also was named the AP MVP this season.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #160 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ron Jaworski, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback(1980)

After three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Jaworski was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he became the starting Quarterback.  1980 was the only Pro Bowl season for “Jaws”, and he threw for 27 Touchdowns and 3,529 Yards, while leading Philadelphia to their first NFC Title.  He played with the Eagles until 1986, and had brief stints in Miami and Kansas City before retiring in 1989 with 28,190 career Passing Yards and 179 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1995.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1981)

Ken Anderson is considered by most Bengals fans to be the most important player in franchise history, and the biggest Hall of Fame snub.  Anderson spent his entire career with the Bengals (1971-86) and in 1981, he would go to his third of four Pro Bowls and took Cincinnati to their first Super Bowl. In the regular season, Anderson threw for 29 Touchdowns, 3,754 Yards, and was also the AP MVP.  He played until 1986, and retired with 32,838 Yards with 197 TDs.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins, Quarterback(1982)

This was the strike-shortened season, and the first of two Pro Bowl years for the Redskins’ Quarterback. Theismann would have 13 Touchdown Passes, 2,033 Yards, and take the Redskins to a Super Bowl win. Theismann actually had a better 1983, winning the AP MVP, and returning to the Super Bowl, but this time they lost. A few seasons later, a gruesome leg injury at the hands of the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor would end his career, and Theismann retired with 25,206 Passing Yards and 160 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (1988)

As football evolves, you would see more Quarterbacks become more mobile.  Randall Cunningham was a pioneer of that skill, and in 1988, the Eagles QB would be chosen for his first Pro Bowl with 3,808 Passing Yards and 24 TDs, while also rushing for 624 Yards and 6 TDs.  Eligible Since 2003.  Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2) (1990)

Since his first Bert Bell Award win, Randall Cunningham remained the most exciting QB in football.  This season, the Eagles pivot would rush for 942 Yards and five TDs, and in the air he had 3,466 Yards with 30 TDs.    Eligible Since 2003.  Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randall Cunningham, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback (3) (1998)

Cunningham is one of two multi-time Bert Bell winners to not be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and he is a three-time recipient, the first player to achieve that.  In the eight years between his second and third Bert Bell win, he dealt with injuries and was retired in 1996.  He came back in 1997 for the Minnesota Vikings as a backup, and he was their starter in 1998, the year where he was named a First Team All-Pro for the only time in his career.  Cunningham threw for 3,704 Yards, 34 Touchdowns, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (106.0).  He played three more seasons and retired with 29,979 Yards, 207 TDs, and rushed for 4,927 Yards and another 35 TDs on the ground.  Eligible Since 2003.  Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (2000)

In 2000, Gannon was chosen for his second Pro Bowl and at age 35 he was a First Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. He threw for 28 Touchdowns and 3,420 Yards this season.  Eligible Since 2010.  Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (2) (2002)

This was year four of Rich Gannon’s four year run of Pro Bowls, and this season he would lead the NFL in Completions (418) and Passing Yards (4,689) while throwing for 26 Touchdowns.  Gannon took the Raiders to the Super Bowl, but they were destroyed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Gannon would get hurt the following season, and only played one more year before retiring in 2004 with 28,743 Passing Yards with 180 Touchdowns. Eligible Since 2010.  Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks, Running Back (2005)

Alexander was a Pro Bowl for the third (and final) and he would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,880), Rushing Touchdowns (27), and Touchdowns (28).  The Running Back also won the Offensive Player of the Year and the AP MVP.  He would play with the Seahawks until 2007, and had one final year with the Redskins before retiring.  He left the game with 9,453 Rushing Yards and 100 Rushing Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 2014.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the Bert Bell Award in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2003)

Peyton Manning was in his sixth season in the NFL, and he would have his fourth Pro Bowl year.  Manning would be named a First Team All-Pro for the first time, and he would lead the league in Completions (379), Completion Percentage (67.0), Passing Yards (4,267) and he would throw for 29 Touchdowns.  Manning also won the NEA MVP and AP MVP this season.  Eligible in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2) (2004)

Peyton Manning went back-to-back, also securing a First Team All-Pro and a fifth Pro Bowl.  Manning finished first in Touchdown Passes (49) and Quarterback Rating (121.1), and he threw for 4,557 Yards.  In this season, Manning would also win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and the AP MVP. Eligible in 2021.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2) (2010)

It didn’t happen in Atlanta, but after missing two years due to being incarcerated for a dog fighting ring, but Michael Vick finally won his first individual award as a Philadelphia Eagle, which was his first year as a starter.  Vick threw for 3,018 Yards, 21 Touchdowns and would rush for 676 Yards and 6 TDs.  Vick played until 2015, after finishing his career with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, and he would have 6,109 Rushing Yards, 36 Rushing Touchdowns, 22,464 Passing Yards and 133 Passing Touchdowns.  Eligible in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (5) (2013)

It still seems strange to type Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco, and he would have a monster regular season with a league-leading 450 Completions, 5,477 Passing Yards, 55 Touchdown Passes and a 80.9 QBR.  He would also capture the PFWA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and AP MVP this season. Manning played until 2015, and while he was not great, the Broncos defense allowed him to go on top as a Super Bowl Champion.  He retired with 71,940 Passing Yards and 539 Passing Touchdowns.  Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the AP MVP who are still active.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2007)

Tom Brady already won three Super Bowls (with two Super Bowl MVPs) before he secured his first AP MVP.  This was the year of the bittersweet season where the Pats entered the Super Bowl undefeated, only to lose to Eli Manning and the New York Giants.  Still, it was an incredible year, where the Patriots’ Quarterback led the league in Completion Percentage (68.9), Passing Yards (4,806), Touchdown Passes (50), Passer Rating (117.2) and QBR (88.5).  Brady also would win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year this season.  42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2008)

In 2008, Adrian Peterson would win the first of what would be three Rushing Titles with 1,760, and also secured his first Yards from Scrimmage Title (1,885).  He had 10 TDs that year.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.

Drew Brees, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2009)

For the fourth time in his career, Drew Brees was named to the Pro Bowl and for the first time in his career he was first in Completion Percentage (70.6) and for the second time he was atop the leaderboard in Touchdown Passes (34).  Also throwing for 4,388 Yards, Brees would take New Orleans to the promised land and they would win their first ever Super Bowl.  41 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2011)

This was Aaron Rodgers’ seventh season in the NFL but only his fourth as the Packers starter.  Rodgers won the Super Bowl the year before, and this season he would finish first in Passer Rating (122.5) and QBR (84.5), while throwing for 45 Touchdowns, and accumulating 4,643 Passing Yards.  He would also win the PFWA MVP and AP MVP.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2) (2012)

Adrian Peterson would be named to four First Team All-Pro selections, this being his third.  Peterson also won three Rushing Titles, with this season being the best one (and second), with him going for 2,097 Yards.  The Minnesota Viking also finished first in All-Purpose Yards with 2,314, and he secured 13 Touchdowns this year.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.

J.J. Watt, Houston Texans, Defensive End (2014)

The first Houston Texan to win the Bert Bell Award, J.J. Watt also won his second Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014. This season, he had his second 20 plus Sack year, and would lead the NFL in Tackles for Loss (29).  He would win his third Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and also was awarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2017.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Texans.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, Quarterback (2015)

Cam Newton was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, and this season, in addition to his AP MVP, he also won the AP MVP and was the Offensive Player of the Year.  Stat wise, Newton threw for 35 Touchdowns, 3,837 Yards, and rushed for 636 Yards and 10 TDs.  He took Carolina to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the Denver Broncos.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Panthers.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Quarterback (2016)

The first Atlanta Falcon to win the AP MVP, Matt Ryan would lead the NFL in Passer Rating (117.1) and QBR (79.4).  He would also throw for 4,944 Yards with 38 Touchdowns. This year, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and the AP MVP.  Ryan would take the Falcons to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the New England Patriots.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback(2017)

From North Dakota State, Carson Wentz broke out with a 33 Touchdown and 3,296 Passing Yard season.  This was only through 13 Games, as he suffered an injury, and was unable to complete the year, but Nick FOles stepped in, and the Eagles won their first Super Bowl.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback (2018)

After playing backup as a rookie, Patrick Mahomes took over the starting Quarterback job for the Chiefs and he instantly became one of the most exciting players in the NFL.  Mahomes would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (50) and QBR (80.4), and he would throw for 5,097 Yards.  This season, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and AP MVP.  24 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, Quarterback(2019)

Jackson was money in his second season. Leading the NFL with 36 Touchdown Passes against only 6 Interceptions.  Jackson would throw for 3,127 Yards, and rush for another 1,206 and led the NFL Yards per Rushing Attempt.  He also broke the plane with his legs on seven occasions. Jackson also captured the AP MVP. 23 Years Old, Playing for the Baltimore Ravens.

This did generate a high amount of Hall of Famers, but as it feels a little more arbitrary than the AP MVP, it is a shock that its HOF Percentage was higher than the AP MVP.

So, what is up next?

As we are writing this, we are inspired by Baseball’s spring training, so here is the World Series MVP.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

In a recent piece on ESPN, Tom Flores had a few things to say about the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  As you can deduce, it was not exactly positive.

Like the rest of us, Flores knew that it did not look good when three weeks before the Super Bowl, Hall of Fame President, David Baker, appeared on the AFC Divisional Game pre-show to present Bill Cowher his gold jacket.  At that point, there was only one spot left, as the Blue Ribbon Committee had only two spots out of ten to give in the Coaches pool.  It was a bit of a surprise, as Flores and Don Coryell were both Finalists last year, when the Coaches were placed in the same pool as the players.  

Baker would be busy that weekend. The following day at the half-time show, he showed up to present Fox’s Jimmy Johnson his gold jacket.  While this made for great television, and it was phenomenal to watch play out, it was evident at time that Flores was not getting in. In that ESPN piece by Paul Gutierrez, that was when Flores knew too.  

In a defence on Baker, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has no obligation to tell people ahead of time if they are getting in or not ahead of time, but it is a really shitty way to find out, especially when you were told, as Flores was by Baker, that he was “almost a shoo-in” for the Blue Ribbon Committee panel of 2020.  Maybe, that is why he said “almost”.

Baker and the Hall took a lot of criticism, and it is easy to see why.  Neither Cowher or Johnson were Finalists last year, and Flores was. Coryell, for that matter had reached the Final Round on five previous occasions.  Standard thought would have thought that Coryell and Flores were on the pecking order over Johnson and Cowher, and in terms of their actual accomplishments, they should be.  

So, what happened?

Is it as simple as Baker and the Hall looking for televised feel-good moments?  Again, it looked great on tv, but it made you wonder if Flores was working as an analyst on a station that broadcast the playoffs, would he be in right now? 

In the piece, Flores said:

“It happened. What can I do about it?  I don’t have a choice.  My fans are still my fans.  They’re still going to make a lot of noise.  A lot of people are really pissed off about this whole thing.  A lot of people are pissed off for other guys that didn’t make it, either.  I can’t say I’m exclusive in that respect.”

Everything he said was right. The Raiders fan base is among the loudest in Pro Football, and they were vocal about his omission.  The Broncos fan base were livid over the snub of Randy Gradisha

Will Flores get in next year? We are assuming that they will revert the Coaches back to the players pool, and Flores will have an excellent chance to enter the Hall in 2021, but this is a dance we have seen before.  He turns 83 next month, and while he is in good health, he may not be alive to see his induction.

As always, we will be watching when Baker comes a knocking.

One of our favorite days on our Hall of Fame calendar is the day before the Super Bowl.  Not only are we excited with the impending biggest game of the year, but it also is the day that the Pro Football Hall of Fame announces their annual class.

With the advent of social media, the word on the inductees broke before the official announcement on the NFL Network.

The new members are:

Steve Atwater:  This was a long time coming.  Eligible since 2005, Atwater was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Denver Broncos, and he was also a two-time First Team All-Pro.  The Free Safety also was chosen for eight Pro Bowls, and was chosen for the 1990s All-Decade Team.  This was the third time that he was named a Finalist, and his entry cushions the blow for an upset Denver fanbase that felt Randy Gradishar was snubbed by the Centennial Slate Blue Ribbon Committee.  Atwater was ranked #5 on our latest list for Hall of Fame consideration.

Isaac Bruce:  A star with the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” team, Isaac Bruce won a Super Bowl with the Rams and would    Bruce has been eligible since 2015, and this was the fourth time that he made to the Finalists.  Over his career, he went to four Pro Bowls and accumulated 15,208 Receiving Yards and 91 Touchdowns.  With the exception of his last two seasons in San Francisco, he was with the Rams for the majority of his career.  Bruce was ranked #9 on our last list.

Steve Hutchinson:  Hutchinson has been Hall of Fame eligible since 2018, and he has been a Finalist ever year.  The Offensive Guard began his career in Seattle, where he spent five seasons, and was chosen for two First Team All-Pros.  He would join the Minnesota Vikings for six years, and was a First Team All-Pro three times while donning the purple.  Finishing his career with one final year in Tennessee, Hutchinson was a Pro Bowl Selection on seven occasions.  Hutchinson was ranked #24 on our last list.

Edgerrin James:  Eligible since 2015, Edgerrin James was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1999, and with the Indianapolis Colts he went to four Pro Bowls. He would win the Rushing Title in his first two years and would overall rush for 12,246 Yards, and caught 433 passes for another 3,364 Yards.  This was the fourth year for James as a Finalist.  He was ranked #20 on our last list.

Troy Polamalu:  Polamalu enters Canton on his first year of eligibility, which was widely expected.  The Safety spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2003-14), and he was the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. The Strong Safety won two Super Bowls, went to eight Pro Bowls and four First Team All-Pros.  Polamalu was ranked #7 on our last list.  

The first five cut from the 15 Finalists were LeRoy Butler, Torry Holt, Sam Mills, Reggie Wayne and Bryant Young. The next five cut were Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, John Lynch, Richard Seymour and Zach Thomas

This group will join the 15 men who were chosen by the Centennial Slate Blue Ribbon Committee.  That group consisted of Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Bill Cowher, Bobby Dillon, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Jimmy Johnson, Alex Karras, Steve Sabol, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkle, Paul Tagliabue and George Young.

We will now begin work on our Notinhalloffame.com Football List.  All of those inducted will be removed from the list.  We will then add those who are eligible for the 2021 Class, and insert them accordingly.  Look for that in early March.

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

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the Vezina Trophy in the NHL.  This time, we go back to the gridiron with the NFL AP MVP.

The award got off to a rocky start.  From 1957 to 1960, as it was disputed as the pre-1961 winners winning a Most Outstanding Player Award, and sources show multiple winners. In the years between 1958 to 1960.  For our purposes, we will use the single names, as shown by Pro Football Reference. In 1961, the AP MVP was clear, presenting a specific MVP Award, thus negating any confusion.

So how many MVPs have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the NFL AP MVP who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (1957)

Hard to start with a better player isn’t it?  This was Brown’s rookie year, and the product of Syracuse shot right out of the gate leading the NFL in Rushing Yards (942), Rushing Touchdowns (9), and Touchdowns (10), which was a precursor of the greatness to come.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (2) (1958)

The rookie season of Jim Brown was really good, but his sophomore season was groundbreaking.  The Running Back shattered the Rushing Yards mark with 1,527 (Steve Van Buren rushed for 1,146 in 1949) and his 17 Rushing Touchdowns were staggering for the era.  This would be the first of five seasons where he would lead the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage. Brown would also win the UPI MVP and NEA MVP this season.  It took only two years for us to have our first repeat winner.   Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1959)      

Johnny Unitas led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL Championship, and in his fourth season in the NFL, he would take his team to back-to-back titles.  This year, “Johnny U” led the NFL in Completions (193), Passing Yards (2,899), Touchdown Passes (32), and he was a First Team All-Pro for the second time.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Norm Van Brocklin, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (1960)

Norm Van Brocklin was a grizzled veteran by this time, as he played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 to 1957, and he joined the Eagles in 1958.  A Champion with the Rams in 1951, the 1960 campaign would see him go 10-2, with 2,471 Yards, and 24 Touchdowns.  In what was his ninth Pro Bowl, he would go to his first and only First Team All-Pro, while also leading the Eagles to the NFL Championship.  This was his last year as a player, as he hoped to be named the team’s head coach after.  That didn’t happen, but he would take over as the HC for the Minnesota Vikings.  Van Brocklin retired with a record of 61-36-4 with 23,611 Yards and 173 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers, Halfback & Kicker (1961)

A former Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame, Paul Hornung played his entire with the Green Bay Packers, and in 1960, he rushed for 597 Yards.  The Packers would also win the NFL Championship that year, and he was also rewarded with the Bert Bell Award.  Hornung played until 1966, and won three more titles with Green Bay.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers, Fullback (1962)

The MVP year of Jim Taylor made him the second straight Green Bay Packer to win the AP MVP.  The Fullback led the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,474), Rushing Touchdowns (19), and he was on the third of five straight Pro Bowls.  The Packers would win the NFL Championship and he would win four in total.  Taylor played until 1967 (his final year was in New Orleans), and he would accumulate 8,597 Rushing Yards with 81 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976.

Y.A. Tittle, New York Giants, Quarterback (1963)

In the 1950s, Y.A. Tittle was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the San Francisco 49ers, and at the age of 34 in 1961, he was traded to the New York Giants.  There were many who thought he was washed up, but instead the next three seasons would see Tittle secure himself as a Hall of Famer.  A Pro Bowler in 1961, and 1962, Tittle would have the best year of his life in 1963, where he would lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (60.2), Touchdown Passes (36), Quarterback Rating (104.8), and threw for 3,145 Yards. He only played one more season, and after getting hurt in the second game, he was ineffective and followed his best year with his worst.  Overall, Tittle threw for 33,070 Yards and 242 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (2) (1964)

This season, Unitas took his team to the NFL Championship, though they would fall to the Cleveland Browns in an upset. Regardless, this was a stellar regular season for the “Golden Arm”, as Unitas was chosen for his third First Team All-Prom and he threw for 19 TDs against only 6 Interceptions.  Unitas also went 12-2 with 2,824 Yards.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, Running Back (3) (1965)

After his second win, Brown remained the elite running back in football.  In 1963, he had his best season with a record setting a new record with 1,863 Rushing Yards. He didn’t win the AP MVP, but did win the UPI MVP, NEA MVP and Bert Bell Award. 1965 would be Brown’s last season in the NFL, as he would abruptly retire, and pursue a career in acting. Brown remains the only player to win the MVP in his first and final year in the NFL.  He was a Pro Bowl in all of his nine years, and a First Team All-Pro in eight of them.  This win also made him the first player to win the AP MVP three times.  Brown also won the Rushing Title in eight of those years. He left the game as the first player to rush for 10,000 Yards, was the all-time leader in Rushing Yards (12,312), Rushing Touchdowns (106), Touchdowns (126), and All-Purpose Yards (15,549). While those numbers have since been broken, he did retire at the top of his game, and many still consider him he be the greatest Running Back of all-time.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1966)

Joining the Green Bay Packers in 1956, Bart Starr would evolve into one of the best Quarterbacks of the game, and he would lead his star-laden team to NFL Championships in 1961, 1962 & 1965. In 1966, he would lead the NFL in Pass Completion (62.2), and had a TD-INT rate of 14-3.  He would take the Packers to another NFL Championship, and they would soundly defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I.   How fitting is it that the QB of the first Super Bowl is also the first MVP in the Super Bowl Era?  Starr won his fifth NFL Championship and second Super Bowl the season after, and he retired in 1971, in a career spent entirely in the “Frozen Tundra”.  He would have 24,718 Passing Yard with 152 TDs over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.

Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (3) (1967)

Arguably, this is the last great season of Unitas’s career, who would play until 1973, with one forgettable year in San Diego. 1967 saw him go to his tenth Pro Bowl and fifth First Team All-Pro, both of which would be his last.  Unitas threw for 20 Touchdowns and 3,428 Yards, and for the first and only time in his career, he led the NFL in Completion Percentage (58.5).  When he retired, he had a record of 118-63-4, 40,239 Passing Yards and 290 Touchdowns. He is a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, 75^thAnniversary Team and 100^thAnniversary Team. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings, Defensive Tackle(1971)

A member of the famed “Purple People Eaters” Defense of the Vikings in the 1970s, Alan Page was the first defensive player and the first Minnesota Viking to win the AP MVP.  This year, Page was chosen for his third straight First Team All-Pro, but was also in his third consecutive season where he would lead the NFL in Approximate Value.  He would also be named the Defensive Player of the Year.  Page would go on to be named to three more First Team All-Pros, and he would overall go to nine Pro Bowls.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1973)

In 1973, O.J. Simpson would become the first Running Back to rush for the elusive 2,000 Rushing Yards mark, when he finished with 2,003.  Needless to say, that led the NFL, as did his 12 Rushing Touchdowns and 2,073 All-Purpose Yards.  He would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award that year. Simpson was in year two of his five-year run of First Team All-Pros, where he would win the Rushing Title in four of those years.  Simpson played until 1979, and would have 11,236 Rushing Yards with 108 total Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.

Ken Stabler, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (1974)

“The Snake”, Ken Stabler, would be in chosen for his second of four Pro Bowls this year, and he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (26) with 2,469 Yards.  Stabler would play football until 1984, and would take the Raiders to a win in Super Bowl XI.  Overall, Stabler would throw for 27,938 Yards for 194 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings, Quarterback(1975)

The best scrambling Quarterback of the 1970s, Fran Tarkenton would lead the NFL in Completions (273) and Touchdown Passes (25) with 2,994 Yards.   He would also win the Bert Bell Award this year.  This was his eighth of nine Pro Bowl Selections, and he would finish his career with 47,003 Yards and 342 Touchdowns, while also rushing for 3,674 Yards and another 32 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Walter Payton, Chicago Bears, Running Back (1977)

Walter Payton played his entire career with the Chicago Bears, and he would become one of the best Running Backs that the game ever saw.  1977, was his third season, and this year he would have personal highs with 1,852 Rushing Yards 1n 14 Rushing Touchdowns, both of which would lead the NFL.  Payton also led the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,121.  This would be the second of five First Team All-Pros for “Sweetness” who also was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection.  He would later win the Super Bowl with the Super Bowl Shuffle winning team, and he would retire in 1987 as the all-time leading rusher with 16,727 Yards.  He would also have another 4,538 Receiving Yards with 125 total Touchdowns.  Payton was so regarded for his philanthropy that he Man of the Year Award was renamed the Walter Payton Man of the Year.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback (1978)

You win a lot of games when you have as good a defense as Terry Bradshaw had with the Steel Curtain, but don’t mistake that for the Quarterback not doing his fair share.  Playing his entire career (1970-83) with Pittsburgh, Bradshaw won four Super Bowls, with 1978 being his third.  This season, he would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (28) with 2,915 Passing Yards.  He retired in 1983 with 27,989 Passing Yards and 212 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, Running Back (1979)

Coming out of the University of Texas, Earl Campbell was the best Running Back in the first three years of his NFL career, all of which seeing him win the Rushing Title and Offensive Player of the Year.  1979 was the second of those seasons, and in addition to leading the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,697) and also first in Rushing Touchdowns (19).  He also won the Bert Bell Award.  Campbell would play until 1985 and would have 10,213 Yards from Scrimmage with 74 Touchdowns over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (1984)

Playing his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, this was the second season that Dan Marino was in the NFL.  This year, he shattered the Passing Yards record with 5,084, making him the first QB to hit the 5,000 mark.  He also threw for 48 Touchdowns, destroying Y.A. Tittle’s 36 in 1963. Marino was also first in Quarterback rating (108.9), Approximate Value (21), and Completions (362).  The Dolphin pivot would lead the NFL in Passing Yards four more times, and after he retired in 1999, he would have 61,361 Yards with 420 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders, Running Back (1985)

Already a Super Bowl Champion two years before, Marcus Allen’s 1985 season was the best of his life.  The former USC Running Back would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,759) and Yards from Scrimmage (2,314), and he had 14 Touchdowns.  Allen played for the Raiders until 1992, and he would then join the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played until he retired in 1997. Allen ended his career with 12,243 Rushing Touchdowns, 5,411 Passing Yards, 144 total Touchdowns and six Pro Bowls. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, Linebacker (1986)

Arguably the greatest Linebacker of all time, Lawrence Taylor debuted in 1981, where he began a six-year streak of First Team All-Pro Selections.  This season, Taylor would lead the NFL in Quarterback Sacks (20.5) and won his third Defensive Player of the Year Award.  Taylor also won the Bert Bell Award.  He would take the Giants to a Super Bowl win this year, and again four years later.  Taylor played his entire career with the Giants, and would play in 10 Pro Bowls and recorded 132.5 Sacks over his career.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

John Elway, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (1987)

John Elway was a great Quarterback, but this was a bit of a curious selection, as he lost the First Team All-Pro to Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers.  Elway took the Broncos to the Super Bowl (they lost to Washington) and he threw for 3,198 Passing Yards and 19 Touchdowns.  He would have better seasons than this, though he was a Pro Bowler this year, which was his second of what would be nine.  He would finally win his Super Bowls in the 1997 and 1998 season, and he retired after with 5,1475 Passing Yards, 300 Touchdown Passes and 33 Rushing Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1989)

You would have thought that Joe Montana would have won an MVP by now considering that prior to 1989, he had already won three Super Bowls with five Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro.  “Joe Cool” also had already led the NFL in Touchdown passes twice and Completion Percentage four times.  This year, Montana would win his fourth Super Bowl, was again a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl, and he again led the league in Completion Percentage (70.2).  Montana also threw for 3,521 Passing Yards and 26 TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (2) (1990)

While the Niners did not win the Super Bowl this year, Montana still had a great season and took San Francisco deep into the playoffs.  The Quarterback would go 14-1 with 3,944 Passing Yards and 26 TDs.  He missed the entire 1991 season due to an elbow injury, and Steve Young was anointed his successor.  He played two final seasons in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs, and retired in 1994.  He left the game with 40,551 Passing Yards and 273 Touchdown Passes.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills, Running Back (1991)

Along with Jim Kelly and Andre Reed, Thurman Thomas and the Buffalo Bills won four straight AFC Championships, with 1991 being in the middle of it.  From 1989 to 1992, Thomas would annually lead the NFL in Yards from Scrimmage, this year seeing the Running Back gain 2,038 with 12 Touchdowns.  He played with Buffalo until 1999, with one final season spent in Miami.  Thomas retired with 12,074 Rushing Yards, 4,458 Receiving Yards and 88 Touchdowns. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1992)

While Steve Young was the starting Quarterback for the 49ers in 1991, 1992 was the year where he proved he should be.  Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (66.7), Touchdown Passes (25) and Quarterback Rating (107.0), and would go to his first of seven straight Pro Bowls.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys, Running Back (1993)

Emmitt Smith and the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl the year before, and in 1993 he won his third straight Rushing Title with 1,486 Yards.  Smith was also first in Yards from Scrimmage (1,900) and he also won the Bert Bell Award. Dallas would win the Super Bowl with Smith winning the Super Bowl MVP.  Smith would be named to the next two First Team All-Pros and secured a third Super Bowl ring two later, which coincided with his fourth Rushing Title.  The Running Back played for Dallas until 2002, and had two final seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before he called it a career in 2004. He retired with 18,355 Rushing Yards and 164 Rushing Touchdowns, which makes him first all-time.  Smith is also second all-time in All-Purpose Yards with 21,579.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (2)(1994)

In 1993, Young was again a First Team All-Pro, and his third would be this season.  Young led the NFL in Completion Percentage (70.3), 35 Passing Touchdowns and QB Rating (112.8).  Young would also lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl win this year.  He would have three more seasons where he finished first in Completion Percentage, one more in Touchdown Passes, and two more in QB Rating.  Young played until 1999, and retired with 33,124 Passing Yards, 232 Touchdown Passes, 4,239 Rushing Yards and 43 Rushing TDs.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (1995)

After four attempts (with no completions) for the Atlanta Falcons in 1992, Brett Favre joined the Green Bay Packers where he went to the Pro Bowl in both 1992 and 1993.  In 1995, “The Gunslinger” earned his third Pro Bowl, his first First Team All-Pro, and he would lead the NFL in Passing Yards (4,413), Touchdown Passes (38), and he also won the Bert Bell Award.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (2), Quarterback(1996)

Favre had another phenomenal year where he went to Pro Bowl number four, First Team All-Pro number two, and again won the MVP and the Bert Bell Award.  Statistically, he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes (39) with 3,899 Passing Yards, and he would lead the Packers to a Super Bowl win.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (3), Quarterback(1997)

Favre became the first player to win the AP MVP for the third straight season and he earned his fifth Pro Bowl and third First Team All-Pro.  The Quarterback again led the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 35 and had 3,867 Yards, and Green Bay would again return to the Super Bowl, though this time they would lose to the Denver Broncos.  Favre would have four more Pro Bowls with Green Bay, one with the Jets, and one with the Vikings and retired in 2010.  He would finish his career with 71,838 Passing Yards and 508 Touchdown Passes. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions, Running Back (1998)

Barry Sanders played his entire career with the Detroit Lions, debuting in 1989, where he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and was a First Team All-Pro.  Sanders would also win the Bert Bell Award, and was the 1994 Offensive Player of the Year.  In 1997, he would again win that award, but would also capture the AP MVP and his second Bert Bell Award.  In 1997, Sanders won his fourth Rushing Title with a career-high 2,053 Rushing Yards. He also rushed for 11 Touchdowns, and was first overall in Yards from Scrimmage with 2,358.  Sanders played one more season, retiring in his prime at 30, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his years in the NFL.  He ended his career with 15,269 Rushing Yards, 2,921 Receiving Yards and 109 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos, Running Back (1998)

From 1996 to 1998, Terrell Davis was a First Team All-Pro Selection, and this was his best year of them all.  T.D. anchored Denver to a Super Bowl win the year before, and would do so again this season where he won the Super Bowl MVP.  In the regular season, he won the Rushing Title with 2,008 Yards and led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns with 21.  Davis would suffer a torn ACL and MCL the year after, and he was limited after that, retiring in 2001 with 7,607 career Rushing Yards.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback (1999)

1999 was the improbable season ever for a Quarterback.  Kurt Warner went from Northern Iowa to bagging groceries to the Arena League and then to the NFL, where he won the back-up job to Trent Green, which in itself was a huge accomplishment.  Green would be injured in the preseason, and Warner was the starting QB, and he made the most of his opportunity.  The leader of the “Greatest Show on Turf”, Warner would throw for 4,353 Yards and lead the NFL in Completion Percentage (65.1), Touchdown Passes (41) and Quarterback Rating (109.2).  Warner would then lead the Rams to a Super Bowl Championship.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams, Running Back (2000)

Sandwiched between Kurt Warner’s MVPs was his Running Back, Marshall Faulk.  Faulk was with the Indianapolis Colts for the first five years of his career where he would go to three Pro Bowls and was the Offensive Rookie of the Year.  Faulk joined the Rams in 1999, and he helped Warner and the Rams win the Super Bowl and was the Offensive Player of the Year.  In his 2000 MVP season, Faulk led the NFL with 18 Rushing Touchdowns, 26 Total Touchdowns and had 2,189 Yards from Scrimmage. 2001 would see Faulk win the Bert Bell Award and the Offensive Player of the Year.  He played until 2005, accumulating six Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pros, 12,279 Rushing Yards, 6,875 Passing Yards and 136 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams, Quarterback (2) (2001)

While Warner and the Rams did not win the Super Bowl, Warner had the best regular season of his career where he led the NFL in Completions (375), Completion Percentage (68.7), Passing Yards (4,830), Touchdown Passes (36) and Passer Rating (101.4).  He would later play one year for the Giants and five seasons for Arizona to close out his career in 2009.  He retired with 32,344 Passing Yards, 208 TDs, and the best story in sports.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers, Running Back (2006)

Debuting in 2001, Tomlinson would have 1,236 Rushing Yards, which would be the least he would have until 2008.  In his MVP season, he would win his fourth of five Pro Bowls, second of three First Team All-Pro, and his first of two Rushing Titles with 1,815.  He would also lead the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns (28) and Touchdowns (31).  Tomlinson also won the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Bert Bell Award, Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year.  Damn, what a season!  Tomlinson played with the Chargers until 2009, and he would have two final seasons in football with the New York Jets.  His career ended with 13,684 Rushing Touchdowns, 4,772 Receiving Touchdowns and 153 Touchdowns.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

The following are the players who have won the NFL AP MVP in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Earl Morrall, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1968)

Earl Morrall had one of the most inconsistent careers of any Quarterback, or for that matter any NFL player.  In 1968, he had been in the NFL for a dozen seasons and had stops in San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit and New York.  Some seasons, he was a starter, some he was a backup, and he was positioned in the latter role, to play off the bench to Johnny Unitas.  Morrall would wind up taking over for Unitas, when he was injured in the last pre-season game, and Morrall responded with the best year of his career.  The Colts Quarterback would win 13 Games, and he led the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 26, and he also had 2,909 Passing Yards.  Morrall took the Colts to Super Bowl III, but he had a bad game and they lost to the Joe Namath and the New York Jets.  He would later play for the Miami Dolphins, again as a backup, but he would win two Super Bowl Rings in South Florida.  He retired in 1976, after 21 seasons, and he threw for 161 Touchdowns and 20,809 Passing Yards.  Eligible Since 1982.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Roman Gabriel, Los Angeles Rams, Quarterback (1969)

The first Filipino-American star in football, Roman Gabriel was the number one pick in the 1963 Draft, but he did not become the permanent starting Quarterback for the Rams until 1966.  He would ascend into the upper-tier of NFL pivots, and he went to the Pro Bowl each year from 1967 to 1969, and in ’69, he would lead the league in Touchdown Passes (24), and he also threw for 2,549 Yards. Gabriel would also win the Bert Bell Award this year.  Gabriel would later join the Philadelphia Eagles, winning the Comeback Player of the Year in 1973.  He played until 1977, and retired with 29,444 Passing Yards and 201 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Brodie, San Francisco 49ers, Quarterback (1970)

John Brodie was one of the game’s early gunslingers, and prior to 1970, he would he would lead the NFL in Passing yards in both 1965 and 1968.  This season, he would do that for a third time with 2,941, and he was also first in Touchdown Passes with 24.  Brodie played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers (1957-73) and he threw for 31,548 Yards and 214 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #25 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Larry Brown, Washington Redskins, Running Back(1972)

In the first four years of Larry Brown’s career, he was one of the better Running Backs in the NFL.  Brown, who had won the Rushing Title in 1970, would not do so in 1972, but would put up a career-high in Rushing Yards in 1972.  That season, he also had another 473 Receiving Yards, and was first in the league in Yards From Scrimmage (1,689).  Brown regressed after that, and he retired in 1975 with 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #160 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts, Quarterback (1976) 

Bert Jones would have a nice career in the NFL, where he played for ten seasons, nine of which were in Baltimore.   1976 was his fourth season, and this would be his only Pro Bowl year.  Jones had an 11-3 record with 24 TDs and a league-leading 3,104 Passing Yards.  He played until 1982 and Jones would overall throw for 18,190 Yards and 124 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1988.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Sipe, Cleveland Browns, Quarterback (1980)

Brian Sipe would play his entire 10-year career with the Browns, and it was in 1980, where he would go to his first and only Pro Bowl, which coincided with his MVP win.  He would throw for 30 Touchdowns with only 14 Interceptions, with 4,132 Passing Yards.  Sipe also led the NFL in Quarterback Rating (91.4).  He retired after 1983 with 23,713 Passing Yards and 154 Touchdown Passes. Eligible Since 1989.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ken Anderson, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1981)

Ken Anderson is considered by most Bengals fans to be the most important player in franchise history, and the biggest Hall of Fame snub.  Anderson spent his entire career with the Bengals (1971-86) and in 1981, he would go to his third of four Pro Bowls and took Cincinnati to their first Super Bowl. In the regular season, Anderson threw for 29 Touchdowns and 3,754 Yards.  He played until1986, and retired with 32,838 Yards with 197 TDs.  Eligible Since 1982.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Moseley, Washington Redskins, Place Kicker (1982)

Perhaps the unlikeliest AP MVP, Place Kicker, Mark Mosely, accomplished this feat in the strike-shortened 1982 season, making him the first Special Teams player to win this award.  This year, Moseley set a then record with a 95.2 Field Goal Percentage, and would kick two Field Goals in the Redskins Super Bowl win that year. Mosely played from 1970 to 1986, and is still the all-time leader in Points in the history of the Redskins’ franchise.  Eligible Since 1992.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins, Quarterback (1983)

It took a long time for Joe Theismann to become a star Quarterback, as he had to start in the CFL, was a Punt Returner as an NFL rookie, and was a backup for three years before becoming the starter in 1978 for. The Washington Redskins.  This season, Theismann threw for 3,714 Yards and 29 Touchdowns, and he would take Washington to their second straight Super Bowl, though this time they lost the big game. A gruesome leg injury at the hands of the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor would end his career, and Theismann retired with 25,206 Passing Yards and 160 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 1991.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Boomer Esiason, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (1988)

Much like Ken Anderson did before him, Boomer Esiason would take the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl, but like Anderson, his Bengals lost to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers.  Regardless, this was a good season for Boomer, who was also named the PFWA MVP this season.  He threw for 3,572 Passing Yards with 28 Touchdowns, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (97.4). Esiason was named to his second of what would be four Pro Bowls, and he played until 1997 with stops in New York with the Jets and Arizona, before playing his final season with the Bengals.  He retired with 37,920 Passing Yards with 247 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 2003.  Ranked #86 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rich Gannon, Oakland Raiders, Quarterback (2002)

This was year four of Rich Gannon’s four year run of Pro Bowls, and this season he would lead the NFL in Completions (418) and Passing Yards (4,689) while throwing for 26 Touchdowns.  He would get hurt the following season, and only played one more year before retiring in 2004 with 28,743 Passing Yards with 180 Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 2010.  Ranked #290 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve McNair, Tennessee Titans, Quarterback (2003)

McNair’s career began in 1995 when the Titans were still in Houston.  In 2003, he had his second Pro Bowl, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (100.4).  He would throw for 24 Touchdowns and 3,215 Yards. McNair played until 2007, and would accumulate 31,304 Passing Yards with 174 TDs.  He also had 3,590 Rushing Yards and punched 37 attempts in the end zone.  Eligible Since 2013.  Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks, Running Back (2005)

Alexander was a Pro Bowl for the third (and final) and he would lead the NFL in Rushing Yards (1,880), Rushing Touchdowns (27), and Touchdowns (28).  The Running Back also won the Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award. He would play with the Seahawks until 2007, and had one final year with the Redskins before retiring.  He left the game with 9,453 Rushing Yards and 100 Rushing Touchdowns.  Eligible Since 2014.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the AP MVP in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2003)

Peyton Manning was in his sixth season in the NFL, and he would have his fourth Pro Bowl year.  Manning would be named a First Team All-Pro for the first time, and he would lead the league in Completions (379), Completion Percentage (67.0), Passing Yards (4,267) and he would throw for 29 Touchdowns.  Manning also won the NEA MVP and Bert Bell Award this season.  He would co-win this award with Steve McNair  Eligible in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2) (2004)

Peyton Manning went back-to-back, also securing a First Team All-Pro and a fifth Pro Bowl.  Manning finished first in Touchdown Passes (49) and Quarterback Rating (121.1), and he threw for 4,557 Yards.  In this season, Manning would also win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and the Bert Bell Award. Eligible in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (3) (2008)

In the years between his second and third MVP, Manning went to three Pro Bowls, another First Team All-Pro, and finally won the Super Bowl, where he was named the MVP of the game.  This season, he again was a First Team All-Pro and would lead the NFL in QBR (78.3).  The QB had 27 Touchdown Passes and 4,002 Yards.  Manning would also win the PFWA MVP this year.  Eligible in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (4) (2009)

Peyton Manning became the first four-time MVP, and this was the fifth year he was a First Team All-Pro.  He threw for 4,500 Yards and 33 TDs this season.  The Quarterback also won the PFWA MVP this year. Eligible in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (5)(2013)

It still seems strange to type Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco, and he would have a monster regular season with a league-leading 450 Completions, 5,477 Passing Yards, 55 Touchdown Passes and a 80.9 QBR. He would also capture the PFWA MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Bert Bell Award this season.  Manning played until 2015, and while he was not great, the Broncos defense allowed him to go on top as a Super Bowl Champion.  He retired with 71,940 Passing Yards and 539 Passing Touchdowns.  Eligible in 2021.

The following are the players who have won the AP MVP who are still active.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2007)

Tom Brady already won three Super Bowls (with two Super Bowl MVPs) before he secured his first AP MVP.  This was the year of the bittersweet season where the Pats entered the Super Bowl undefeated, only to lose to Eli Manning and the New York Giants.  Still, it was an incredible year, where the Patriots’ Quarterback led the league in Completion Percentage (68.9), Passing Yards (4,806), Touchdown Passes (50), Passer Rating (117.2) and QBR (88.5).  Brady also would win the PFWA MVP, NEA MVP, Bert Bell Award and Offensive Player of the Year this season.  42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2) (2010)

Brady would again lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes with 36, and was first in Passer Rating (111.0) and QBR (78.3).  He would also throw for 3,900 Yards, and only had four Interceptions.  This year Brady would also win the PFWA MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Award.  42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2011)

This was Aaron Rodgers’ seventh season in the NFL but only his fourth as the Packers starter.  Rodgers won the Super Bowl the year before, and this season he would finish first in Passer Rating (122.5) and QBR (84.5), while throwing for 45 Touchdowns, and accumulating 4,643 Passing Yards.  He would also win the PFWA MVP and Bert Bell Award.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, Running Back (2012)

Adrian Peterson would be named to four First Team All-Pro selections, this being his third.  Peterson also won three Rushing Titles, with this season being the best one (and second), with him going for 2,097 Yards.  The Minnesota Viking also finished first in All-Purpose Yards with 2,314, and he secured 13 Touchdowns this year.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Redskins.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback (2) (2014)

Rodgers had another phenomenal year where he had a TD-INT record of 38-5, and threw for 4,381 Yards.  He would go to his fourth Pro Bowl this year, and also was named a First Team All-Pro for the second time.  Rodgers also won the PFWA MVP this year.  36 Years Old, Playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers, Quarterback (2015)

Cam Newton was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, and this season, in addition to his AP MVP, he also won the Bert Bell Award and was the Offensive Player of the Year.  Stat wise, Newton threw for 35 Touchdowns, 3,837 Yards, and rushed for 636 Yards and 10 TDs.  He took Carolina to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the Denver Broncos.  30 Years Old, Playing for the Carolina Panthers.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Quarterback (2016)

The first Atlanta Falcon to win the AP MVP, Matt Ryan would lead the NFL in Passer Rating (117.1) and QBR (79.4).  He would also throw for 4,944 Yards with 38 Touchdowns. This year, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award.  Ryan would take the Falcons to the Super Bowl, but they lost to the New England Patriots.  34 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (3) (2017)

In between his second and third MVP, Brady won his fourth and fifth Super Bowl.  Brady also captured the PFWA MVP this season. He would win his sixth Super Bowl the year after.   This season, he was first in Passing Yards (4,577) with 32 Touchdown Passes.  42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterback (2018)

After playing backup as a rookie, Patrick Mahomes took over the starting Quarterback job for the Chiefs and he instantly became one of the most exciting players in the NFL.  Mahomes would lead the NFL in Touchdown Passes (50) and QBR (80.4), and he would throw for 5,097 Yards.  This season, he would also win the Offensive Player of the Year and Bert Bell Award.  24 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.

This yielded a high percentage as expected, which considering how difficult it is to win the NFL AP, makes complete sense.

So, what is up next?

Normally, we bounce around, but we are going to buck tradition, and stay with something very familiar, the Bert Bell Award, the MVP presented by the Maxwell Football Club.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

When the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 10 new members from the player’s senior pool, that meant that 10 former legends were left off.  While there was a sizable groan in the Rocky Mountains when former Bronco, Randy Gradishar was left off, the most “visible” one was in Texas, as former Cowboys Wide Receiver, Drew Pearson, was also left off.

We use the word “visual” because KTVT from Plano, Texas was on hand to record his reaction.  When he wasn’t chosen, Pearson could not contain his disappointment:

“They broke my heart.  They broke my heart; and they did it like this! They strung it out like this.”

Pearson is referring to the broadcast on the NFL Network, which began at 7 AM EST.  While most people did not expect that they would go right into the announcement of who was chosen, nobody thought that the inductees would be announced in a reality show format, that dragged across nearly two hours.  The NFL Network did not state at the beginning that the announcements would be spread out over such a long duration of time.  The agony for those not chosen, and the families thereof, had to be excruciating.  

Pearson’s frustration continued:

“Can’t do nothing about it. Can’t catch no more damn passes. Can’t run no more routes.  It’s there.  What upsets me more is when they say you don’t deserve it.  They talk negative about you.  There’s nothing negative about my career in the NFL. Nothing!”

If we were to hazard a guess as to when the mood of the room changed, it had to be when fellow Wide Receiver, Harold Carmichael was announced to the Hall.  He wasn’t just announced on the NFL Network, he was there on hand to discuss the selection.  If he was there, he was obviously told ahead of time, and Pearson and all of the others in that room had to feel that their chances just plummeted.

While Pearson may have taken a chance having his reaction filmed live, there was no reason that he would have thought the broadcast would announce the new inductees in that staggered pattern.  None of us did.  This had let to minimal speculation that Hall of Fame President, David Baker, has been milking camera time and exposure for the Hall.  That train of thought began when he appeared on both the CBS and FOX playoff broadcasts to tell Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson respectively that they were now Hall of Famers; leading to some feeling that they earned that spot over Don Coryell and Tom Flores, who had previously been Finalists.  Cowher had not.

Dallas was not without representation as former Safety, Cliff Harris, was chosen.

All of this has left some with a bad taste in their mouth, but we again want to reiterate that we are thrilled that we are watching the biggest Pro Football Hall of Fame Class ever, and that is the most positive Hall related news in years.

Good or bad, we know we will keep wathing.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com are trying to think if there has ever been a busier Hall of Fame related day. On the same day that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced their Class of 2020, the Pro Football Hall of Fame (coincidentally, also based in Ohio), unveiled their Blue Ribbon Centennial Class.  This is the first time that the Canton based institution has ever had a panel dedicated to producing this many Hall of Famers, who were not part of the Modern Era pool.

There were 20 Finalists named to Centennial Slate of former players.

The 10 that got in were:

Harold Carmichael:  Carmichael was a superstar with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he would lead the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1973, and was a four-time Pro Bowler.  The Wide Receiver would be named to the 1970s All-Decade Team.

Jimbo Covert:  The Chicago Bears Offensive Lineman (1983-91) won a Super Bowl with the Bears in 1985, and he was also the NFLPA Offensive Lineman of the Year. Covert would also be selected for the 1980s All-Decade Team.

Bobby Dillon:  Dillon was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection and is still the all-time leader in Interceptions for the Green Bay Packers, the only team that he ever played for.  He passed away last August.

Cliff Harris:  Playing his entire career at Safety for Dallas, Harris was a Super Bowl Champion, and six-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He was also chosen for the 1970’s All-Decade Team.

Winston Hill:  Hill was a four-time AFL All-Star and four-time Pro Bowl with the New York Jets, and was an integral part of New York’s Super Bowl III Championship. 

Alex Karras:  The legendary Defensive Tackle played his entire career with the Detroit Lions, and he was a four-time Pro Bowl and 1960’s All-Decade Team member.

Duke Slater:  A pioneer in every way, Duke Slater was the first African-American Lineman, joining the league in 1922.  He was a First Team All-Pro four times.  

Donnie Shell:  The Steel Curtain gains more representation with the induction of Shell.  A member of all four of their Super Bowl wins in the 1970s, Shell was a five-time Pro Bowl recipient at Safety.

Mac Speedie:  Speedie was with the Cleveland Browns for seven seasons, where the End helped take the team to all four AAFC Championships.  He would later go to two Pro Bowls, and overall he was a four-time leader in Receptions.

Ed Sprinkle:  The career Chicago Bear (1944-55), “the meanest man in football” is now in the Hall of Fame.  He was a member of the 1940s All-Decade Team and was an NFL Champion in 1946.

Those who did not get in were Cliff Branch, Roger Craig, LaVern Dilweg, Ox Emerson, Randy Gradishar, Cecil Isbell, Verne Lewellen, Tommy Nobis, Drew Pearson and Al Wistert.

In the Contributors Section, Steve Sabol of NFL Films enters.  He was at the helm of that division from 1964 to 2012 and he won 35 Emmys. 

Sabol is joined by former NFL Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, who held that post from 1989 to 2006.  The NFL shot up in overall popularity and revenue over his tenure, and expanded by four teams.  The third Contributor was George Young, who was he General Manager of the New York Giants from 1979 to 1997 whose moves led them to two Super Bowls. 

The Contributor Finalists who were not chosen were Bud Adams, Ralph Hay, Bucko Kilroy, Art McNally, Art Modell, Clint Murchison and Seymour Siwoff 

Two former coaches, Bill Cowher, and Jimmy Johnson, had already been announced this past weekend.  As there were only two to be selected from the eight who made the list of Finalists, there were no Coaches announced today. Those that did not make the cut were Don Coryell, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves and Dick Vermeil.

We hope that that this will lead to the Pro Football Hall of Fame inducting a higher annual number of Senior Candidates in the future.

This group will be joined by five Modern-Era players.  They will be announced the day before the Super Bowl.

Before we congratulate the class, we have to openly take issue with the NFL Network’s broadcast this morning for dragging out the announcement.  While we understood this makes for compelling television, this was not laid out to those viewing, many of whom tuned in at 7:00 EST, for the specific purpose of watching to learn who was chosen.  It was never mentioned that this would be spread out over two hours to those watching. It was also learned that some of the new class who were still alive were told ahead of time (obvious, when Carmichael appeared in studio), and some were waiting by the phone.  While we are sure that no disrespect was intended, we are certain that this is how some of those felt who were not chosen.

All of these players were ranked on our latest Notinhalloffame.com list, and will be removed in February.  We will then remove all were inducted, re-rank those based on your comments and votes, and input those who are now eligible.

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

We mention this every year, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame does things in a precise fashion, with multiple levels on the road to their annual induction process.  Today, the Canton, Ohio based institution has announced their 15 Finalists for the Class of 2020.

This group was pared down from 25 Semi-Finalists:

The 15 Finalists are:

Steve Atwater: S 1989-98 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets.  

Playing most of his career with the Denver Broncos where he won two Super Bowls, and was considered to be the one of the best hitting Defensive Back of his day.  The Free Safety was twice a First Team All-Pro, and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times. This is Atwater’s third time as a Finalist, and his second in a row.  He is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli: T 1995-01 Jacksonville Jaguars.  

Perhaps the greatest Jag of all-time, Boselli is a Finalist for the fourth straight year.  The Left Tackle went to five straight Pro Bowls (1996-00) and three straight First Team All-Pros (1997-99).  He is ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Isaac Bruce: WR 1994-07 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers.  

A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Isaac Bruce retired with 15,208 Receiving Yards and 91 Touchdown Receptions.  In addition his Super Bowl, he was a one-time First Team All-Pro and would go to four Pro Bowls.  He is ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler: S 1990-01 Green Bay Packers

After two years as a Semi-Finalist, Butler is a Finalist for the first time.  The creator of the “Lambeau Leap” and career Packer won a Super Bowl (XXXI), and was also a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro four times.  He is ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Alan Faneca: G 1998-07 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals.

This is the fifth year in a row that Faneca has been named a Finalist.  He is a former Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers and went to nine Pro Bowls, while also being named to six First Team All-Pros.  He is ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt: WR 1999-08 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Holt finally broke through in his sixth year as a Semi-Finalist.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt had 13,382 Receiving Yards with 74 TDs.  Holt was also a seven-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.  He is ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Hutchinson: G 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-11 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans.

Hutchinson is a Finalist for the third consecutive year, and the former Offensive Guard went to seven Pro Bowls and was a five-time First Team All-Pro.  He is ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Edgerrin James: RB 1999-05 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks.

For the fourth time and third straight year, James made to the Finals.  With 15,610 Yards from Scrimmage and 91 Touchdowns, James went to four Pro Bowls, and was a one-time First Team All-Pro.  He is ranked #20 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Lynch: FS 1993-03 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos.

With his seventh appearance as a Hall of Fame Finalist, no one else who made it this far in the 2020 vote has reached this level more.  Lynch was a member of the Bucs Super Bowl Championship Team, and he was a two-time First Team All-Pro, and was chosen for the Pro Bowl on nine occasions.  He is ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Sam Mills: LB 1986-94 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers.  

For the first time, Mills becomes a Finalist, and he has been eligible since 2003.  He had made the Semi-Finals twice before.  Mills went from undrafted to five Pro Bowls, and he iconic in both New Orleans and Carolina.  He is ranked #60 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Troy Polamalu: S 2003-14 Pittsburgh Steelers.

This is the first year of eligibility for Polamalu, and as expected, he is a Finalist on his first try.  The Safety and career Steeler, was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, and was an eight-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro.  Polamalu would also win two Super Bowls.  He is ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richard Seymour: DE/DT 2001-08 New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders 2018-20.

Seymour is a Finalist for the second straight year, and the three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots.  He would go to seven Pro Bowls and was selected for three First Team All-Pros.  He is ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Zach Thomas: LB 1996-07 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys.

Thomas finally breaks through in his seventh year of eligibility, and last year it was the first time that he was able to make it to the Semis.  The Linebacker accumulated more than 1,700 Tackles, and was selected for five First Team All-Pros and seven Pro Bowls.  He is ranked #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Wayne: WR 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts.  

Wayne advances as a Finalist in his first year of eligibility.  The former Wide Receiver won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and would be chosen for six Pro Bowls.  Wayne finished his career with 14,345 Yards and 82 Touchdowns.  He is ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young: DT 1994-07 San Francisco 49ers.  

This was the first time that Young was a Semi-Finalist after eight years of eligibility, and he went one step further.  Young was a Super Bowl champion with San Francisco (XXIX), and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He is ranked #178 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The 10 Semi-Finalists who did not make the cut are:

Carl Banks: LB 1984-92 New York Giants, 1993 Washington Redskins, 1994-95 Cleveland Browns.  This was the only time that Banks made it as a Semi-Finalist.

Ronde Barber: CB/S 1997-12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  This is Barber’s third straight year as a Semi-Finalist without advancing.

Clay Matthews: LB 1978-93 Cleveland Browns, 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons.  Matthews has been a Semi-Finalist four times, with his first time coming in 2012.

Simeon Rice: DE 1996-00 Arizona Cardinals, 2001-06 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2007 Denver Broncos, 2007 Indianapolis Colts.  Rice was also a Semi-Finalist in 2018.

Steve Tasker: ST/WR 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-97 Buffalo Bills.  Tasker is a Semi-Finalist for the seventh time.  The last one was in 2013, his first in 2004.

Fred Taylor: RB 1998-08 Jacksonville Jaguars. 2009-10 New England Patriots.  This is the first time that Taylor made the Semis.

Ricky Watters:  RB 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-01 Seattle Seahawks.  After being eligible since 2007, Watters received his first appearance as a Semi-Finalist.

Hines Ward:  WR 1998-11 Pittsburgh Steelers.  Ward has been a Semi-Finalist for four years, but has yet to make it to the Finals.

Patrick Willis: LB 2007-14 San Francisco 49ers.  This is the first year that Willis is eligible.  

Darren Woodson: S 1992-03 Dallas Cowboys. Woodson was a Semi- Finalist for the fourth time, but has yet to advance.

Only five of these former players will make the Class of 2020.  They will be joined by 15 other names from the Centennial Blue Ribbon class, which will comprise of 10 players, three contributors and two coaches.

The announcement will occur on February 1, the day before Super Bowl LIV.

You know that we will be paying attention!

We here at Notinhalloffame.com were thrilled that the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a special blue-ribbon committee to add 10 Senior Players, three contributors and two coaches.  This will commemorate the 100^thanniversary of the National Football League.

The Centennial Finalists Players are:

Cliff Branch

Harold Carmichael

Jim Covert

Roger Craig

Lavern Dilweg

Ox Emerson

Randy Gradishar

Cliff Harris

Winston Hill

Cecil Isbell

Alex Karras

Verne Lewellen

Tommy Nobis

Drew Pearson

Duke Slater

Mac Speedie

Ed Sprinkle

Al Wistert

All of those players are featured on our Notinhalloffame.com list of those to consider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Centennial Finalists Coaches are:

Don Coryell

Bill Cowher

Tom Flores

Mike Holmgren

Jimmy Johnson

Buddy Parker

Dan Reeves

Dick Vermeil

The Centennial Finalists Contributors are:

Bud Adams

Ralph Hay

Bucko Kilroy

Art McNally

Art Modell

Clint Murchison

Steve Sabol

Seymour Siwoff

Paul Tagliabue

George Young

10 Players, 3 Coaches and 2 Contributors will be chosen, and they will be joined by 5 Modern Era Candidates.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their 25 Semi-Finalists for their Class of 2020.

Without further ado, they are:

Steve Atwater:  Safety: Denver Broncos 1989-98, New York Jets 1999.  This is Atwater’s ninth straight time as a Semi-Finalist, and he was a Finalist last year.  

Carl Banks:  Linebacker: New York Giants 1984-92, Washington Redskins 1993, Cleveland Browns 1994-95.  This is the first time that Banks has been named as a Semi-Finalist, despite being eligible since 2001.  Banks won two Super Bowls with the Giants.

Ronde Barber:  Cornerback: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1997-12.  This is Barber’s third straight appearance as a Semi-Finalist.

Tony Boselli:  Offensive Tackle:  Jacksonville Jaguars 1995-01, Houston Texans 2002.  The greatest Jaguar player in history is a Semi-Finalist for the fifth time, and is also a prior Finalist.

Isaac Bruce:  Wide Receiver:  Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams 1994-07, San Francisco 49ers 2008-09.  Bruce is a Semi-Finalist for the sixth time, and also a prior Finalist.  He won a Super Bowl with St. Louis.

LeRoy Butler:  Safety:  Green Bay Packers 1990-01.  Butler is a Semi-Finalist for the third straight year, and he is a prior Super Bowl winner.

Alan Faneca:  Offensive Guard:  Pittsburgh Steelers 1998-07, New York Jets 2008-09, Arizona Cardinals 2010.  Faneca is a Semi-Finalist for the fifth time and has been a Finalist every year since eligible.

Torry Holt:  Wide Receiver:  St. Louis Rams 1999-08, Jacksonville Jaguars.  Like Bruce, Holt was a member of the Super Bowl Championship team from St. Louis.  Holt is a Semi-Finalist for the sixth time but has never been a Finalist.

Steve Hutchinson:  Offensive Guard:  Seattle Seahawks 2001-05, Minnesota Vikings 2006-11, Tennessee Titans 2010. Hutchinson makes his third Semi-Finals, and he is also a prior Finalist.

Edgerrin James:  Running Back:  Indianapolis Colts 1993-04, Arizona Cardinals 2006-08, Seattle Seahawks 2009.  James reaches the

John Lynch:  Free Safety:  Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1993-03, Denver Broncos.  Lynch is a Semi-Finalist again, and has been a Finalist seven times.

Clay Matthews:  Linebacker:  Cleveland Browns 1978-93, Atlanta Falcons 1994-96.  Matthews is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth time, and this is his second consecutive year making it this far on the ballot.

Sam Mills:  Linebacker:  New Orleans Saints 1986-94, Carolina Panthers 1995-97.  Mills was a Semi-Finalist last year, and this is his third time reaching this stage.

Troy Polamalu:  Safety:  Pittsburgh Steelers 2003-14.  The former Defensive Player of the Year is eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time and he is considered to be a strong contender to enter on the first ballot. He would win two Super Bowls.

Simeon Rice:  Defensive End:  Arizona Cardinals 1996-00, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2001-06, Denver Broncos 2007 & Indianapolis Colts 2007.  Rice has been eligible for the Hall since 2013, and this is second time as a Semi-Finalist.  He was one previously in 2018.

Richard Seymour:  Defensive End/Defensive Tackle: New England Patriots 2001-08, Oakland Raiders 2009-12.  Seymour is a Semi-Finalist for the third consecutive year, and he is a former three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots.

Steve Tasker:  Special Teams:  Houston Oilers 1985-86, Buffalo Bills 1986-97.  Tasker has been a Semi-Finalist six timed before, with his first one coming in 2004.  His last one was in 2013.

Fred Taylor:  Running Back:  Jacksonville Jaguars 1998-08, New England Patriots 2008-09.  Taylor is all-time leading rusher in Jaguars history, and he has been Hall of Fame eligible since 2016.  This is first time as a Semi-Finalist.

Zach Thomas:  Linebacker:  Miami Dolphins 1996-07, Dallas Cowboys 2008.  Thomas is a semi-finalist for the second straight year.

Hines Ward:  Wide Receiver:  Pittsburgh Steelers 1998-11.  Ward is a former Super Bowl MVP, and is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight year, but he has never been a Finalist.

Ricky Watters:  Running Back:  San Francisco 49ers 1992-94, Philadelphia Eagles 1995-97, Seattle Seahawks 1998-01. Watters has been Hall of Fame eligible since 2007, but this is his first time as a Semi-Finalist.

Reggie Wayne:  Wide Receiver:  Indianapolis Colts 2001-14.  Wayne is eligible for the first time this year, and the former Super

Patrick Willis:  Linebacker:  San Francisco 49ers 2007-14.  Willis is eligible for the first time this year, and it was expected that he would become a Semi-Finalist.

Darren Woodson: Safety:  Dallas Cowboys 1992-03.  The former Super Bowl winner is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth time, with his first three times coming in 2015, 2017 & 2019.

Bryant Young:  Defensive Tackle:  San Francisco 49ers 1994-07.  Young has been eligible for Canton since 2013, and this is his first time as a Semi-Finalist. 

All of these players are ranked on our Notinhalloffame.com Football 300 list of former players to consider for the Hall of Fame.

The five inductees will be joined by 15 other Senior Candidates to bring the total to 20.  This is to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the National Football League.  The Class of 2020 will be announced on February 1, the day before Super Bowl LIV. 

We will certainly be paying attention to see who moves forward when they announce the Finalists.

One of the core lists for us on Notinhalloffame.com is our Football section, which ranked over 100 former players who are worthy of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration.  In honor of the NFL’s 100^thAnniversary, and announcement that there will be a special committee that will add fifteen senior candidates, we have decreed that our section needed an update.

In looking at our list, we were guilty of not taking a proper look at the pre-Super Bowl era candidates, feeling that they received a proper look by the varying committees who voted for candidates since 1963.  In retrospect, that was wrong.

Before, we continue, a special thank you to Vinny Lospinuso, who has been doing many podcasts with us, in regards to Pro Football Hall of Fame snubs.  Much of his input is reflected in this revision.

We have expanded this list to 300, which is the number we intend to keep it for the unforeseeable future.  You can find the new list here:  http://www.notinhalloffame.com/football?start=0

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thank you all for your support, and we ask you to take a look, and cast your votes and offer your opinions.  Future lists are altered based on your feedback, and we encourage your assistance.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Our focus now shifts towards the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award in the NFL.  Relatively speaking, this is a new award, so there won’t be too many players to dissect here.  How many of these winners made the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

None.

The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL who are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

Doug Flutie, Buffalo Bills, Quarterback (1998)

The first winner of this award did not come back from injury.  He came back from Canada.  Doug Flutie was the hero whose Hail Mary won the Orange Bowl for Boston College against Miami.  The Quarterback was considered too short for the NFL and he would play in the USFL and Canada, though he would have stints in the NFL with Chicago and New England, though his run with the Patriots ended in 1989.  A decade later, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills and at age 36, he would play in 13 Games and throw for 2,711 Yards, 20 Touchdowns and go to the Pro Bowl.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Bryant Young, San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Tackle (1999)

Bryant Young suffered a severe broken leg late in 1998 and a metal rod had to be placed to assist his healing.  Young would return in 1999 with an 11.0 Sack season and a selection to the Pro Bowl.  He would play until 2007 and would record 89.5 Sacks in total.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Johnson, New Orleans Saints, Defensive End(2000)

Joe Johnson was a Pro Bowler for the Saints in 1998, but a knee injury kept him out of the entire 1999 Season.  The Defensive End would come back in 2000 with his second (and final) Pro Bowl Selection and he would have a career-high 12.0 Sacks this year.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 49ers, Running Back (2001)

Garrison Hearst rushed for over 1,500 Yards in 1998, but he had to sit out two years due to Avascular Necrosis.  Many thought Hearst was done for good, but he returned in 2001 to the Niners and would rush for 1,206 Yards and go to his second (and final) Pro Bowl.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Tommy Maddox, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quarterback(2002)

Tommy Maddox played in the NFL from 1992 to 1995 with three different teams but the backup saw limited action and actually left football.  He came back in the Arena League in 2000, and then would be the MVP in the lone season of the XFL.  That was enough to make him desirable to the NFL again and he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their backup.  He would become their starter in 2002 and threw for 2,836 Yards and 20 TDs.  He would play until 2005.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Jon Kitna, Cincinnati Bengals, Quarterback (2003)

Jon Kitna was not coming back from injury or another league, but rather had one of the best years of his career.  He would throw for 3,591 Yards and a career-high 26 Touchdowns.  He played until 2011 and would overall throw for 29,745 Yards.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots, Linebacker(2005)

In 2004, Tedy Bruschi went to his first (and only) Pro Bowl.  Shortly after the Pro Bowl Game, Bruschi suffered a minor stroke and partial paralysis. He announced that he would miss the 2005 season, but that wouldn’t be the case.  The Linebacker returned in October and played nine Games for the Patriots that year.  He would co-win this award Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Chad Pennington, New York Jets, Quarterback (2006)

In 2005, Chad Pennington suffered multiple injuries and was only able to play in three Games.  2006 was a much different season as he started all 16 Games for the Jets and would throw for 3,352 Yards and 17 Touchdowns.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys, Linebacker (2007)

A ruptured Achilles ended Ellis’ 2006 Season after nine games, and he would return in 2007 with his best year ever. Ellis would go to the Pro Bowl for the only time and he had a career-high 12.5 Sacks.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins, Quarterback (2) (2008)

After winning this award in 2006, Pennington had a bad 2007 beset with injuries and poor play.  He was released by the Jets (who had signed Brett Favre) and Pennington would join the Miami Dolphins as a Free Agent.  He would take Miami to the Playoffs and would throw for a career-high of 3,653 Passing Yards.  Sure enough, he would suffer shoulder problems and would only play four more games in his career.  To date, Pennington is the only repeat winner of this award.  Unrankedon Notinhalloffame.com.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award in the National Football League who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers, Wide Receiver (2005)

In the first game of the 2004 Season, Smith would break his leg and would be out for the season.  He would return in 2005 and put forth the best season of his career with an NFL leading 103 Receptions, 1,563 Receiving Yards, and 12 Receiving Touchdowns.  He would be named a First Team All-Pro this year.  Smith was the co-winner of this award with Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots.  Smith is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback (2010)

Due to his involvement in a dog fighting ring, Michael Vick was suspended for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, most of which was spent while incarcerated.  The Quarterback would return in 2009 to the Philadelphia Eagles as Donovan McNabb’s backup and in 2010 he began the year backing up Kevin Kolb.  Vick won the starting job after Kolb was knocked out with a concussion and he would go on to have an excellent season.  He would throw for 3,018 Yards with 21 Touchdowns and would rush for another 676 Yards and 9 Touchdowns.  He would go to his fourth Pro Bowl and was also named the Bert Bell Award winner.  Vick is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Quarterback (2012)

Who else could it be?  Peyton Manning missed the entire 2011 campaign due to neck surgery and the Colts gad drafted Andrew Luck to replace him.  Manning would sign with the Denver Broncos and picked up right where he left off.  Named a First Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler, Manning threw for 4,659 Yards and 37 Touchdowns.  He is the first player to be named a First Team All-Pro while winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year.  Manning is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Rob Gronkowski, Denver Broncos, Tight End (2014)

Ron Gronkowski was the first Tight End to win he AP Comeback Player of the Year Award and the New England Patriot recovered incredibly from a torn ACL and MCL from December of the year previous.  “Gronk” would be named a First Team All-Pro, win the Super Bowl and would secure 82 catches for 1,124 Yards and 12 Touchdowns. Gronkowski is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers, Wide Receiver(2016)

Jordy Nelson was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2014 but would have to sit out 2015 due to a torn ACL.  Nelson returned in 2016 to record 1,257 Receiving Yards and an NFL leading 14 Touchdown Receptions.  Nelson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, Quarterback (2018)

Andrew Luck had to sit out the entire 2017 season due to issues with his throwing shoulder and he returned in 2018 to secure his fourth Pro Bowl.  He would throw for 4,593 Yards and 39 Touchdowns  Luck would shockingly retire during the 2019 training camp.  Nelson is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024.

The following are the players who have won the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award who are still active.

Drew Brees, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (2004)

It is hard to believe now, but Drew Brees was struggling to keep his starting Quarterback job in 2003 when he was with the San Diego Chargers.  This was his rebound year as he was holding off the 1^stRound Pick, Philip Rivers from taking his job.  In 2003, Brees would throw for 3,159 Yards and 27 Touchdowns.  He would be named to his first Pro Bowl.  40 Years Old, Playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, Quarterback (2009)

Tom Brady only played in one game in 2008 due to a torn ACL and MCL.  He returned to the exact form you would expect throwing for 4,398 Yards and 28 Touchdowns and going to his fifth Pro Bowl.  42 Years Old, Playing for the New England Patriots.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Quarterback (2011)

An injured shoulder limited Matthew Stafford to only three games in 2010, but he returned in 2011 and threw for 5,038 Yards and 41 Touchdowns, both of which are career-highs as of this writing.  31 Years Old, Playing for the Detroit Lions.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers, Quarterback (2013)

Philip Rivers performed well in 2012 but the perception was not that it was not good enough.  In 2013, he did better than the year before with an NFL leading 69.5 Completion Percentage.  He would also throw for 4,478 Yards and 32 Touchdowns.  38 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs, Strong Safety (2015)

Eric Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014 after having been named to the Pro Bowl three times.  Berry returned as a First Team All-Pro and recorded 77 Tackles for the Chiefs in 2015.  31 Years Old, Currently a Free Agent.

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers, Wide Receiver (2017)

In the 2016 season opener, Keenan Allen suffered a torn ACL and would miss the rest of the year.  The Wide Receiver would return to have what is his best year to date. Allen would made his first Pro Bowl and post a career-high 1,393 Receiving Yards.  27 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

For the first time we have an award that has generated NO Hall of Famers, but this won’t always be the case with Manning, Brees and Brady as Hall of Fame locks.

We are going to back to the NHL and look at the Bill Masterton Award.

As always, we thank you for that support and look for that soon!

As part of the celebration of the National Football League’s 100^thAnniversary, 20 members will be named to the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.

In addition to the five Modern-Era Inductees, a special “Blue Ribbon Panel” will name 10 Seniors, 3 Contributors and 2 Coaches for the Centennial Class.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has now announced the 25 people who comprise the Blue Ribbon Panel.  This is a collection of people who are regular followers of Canton are familiar with.

They are:

As of this time, we do not know when the panel will meet or when they will decide.  They will be presented on February 1, where the entire group will be subject to a yay or nay vote (they won’t possibly vote nay, would they?) to the 48-member Board of Selectors, some of which as you can see are on the Blue Ribbon Panel.  They will require 80 percent of the vote and will be voted in as a group.

ERNIE ACCORSI – Former GM Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and N.Y. Giants.

BILL BELICHICK – New England Patriots head coach.

JARRETT BELL – Hall of Fame selector, USA Today.

JOEL BUSSERT – Former NFL executive, pro football historian.

JOHN CLAYTON – Hall of Fame selector, Washington Post.

FRANK COONEY – Hall of Fame selector, SportsXchange.

JOHN CZARNECKI – Hall of Fame selector, Fox Sports.

RICK GOSSELIN – Hall of Fame selector, Talk of Fame Network.

ELLIOTT HARRISON – Pro football historian, NFL.com.

JOE HORRIGAN – Former Pro Football Hall of Fame executive, pro football historian.

IRA KAUFMAN – Hall of Fame selector, JoeBucsFan.com.

DICK LEBEAU – Hall of Fame cornerback, former NFL coach.

JEFF LEGWOLD – Hall of Fame selector, ESPN.com.

JOHN MADDEN – Hall of Fame coach.

JOHN McCLAIN – Hall of Fame selector, Houston Chronicle.

GARY MYERS – Hall of Fame selector, The Athletic.

OZZIE NEWSOME – Hall of Fame tight end, former GM Baltimore Ravens.

CARL PETERSON – Former GM Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs.

SAL PAOLANTONIO – Hall of Fame selector, ESPN.

BILL POLIAN – Hall of Fame contributor, former GM Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts.

DAN POMPEI – Hall of Fame selector, The Athletic.

CHAREAN WILLIAMS – Hall of Fame selector, Pro Football Talk.

CHRIS WILLIS – Producer/head of research library NFL Films, pro football historian.

BARRY WILNER – Hall of Fame selector, Associated Press.

RON WOLF – Hall of Fame contributor, former executive Oakland/L.A. Raiders, GM Green Bay Packers.

That part seems strange, doesn’t it?

We will add more news as we here it!

For us at Notinhalloffame.com, this is our march toward our Christmas.  The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the Modern-Era Preliminary Nominees for the Class of 2020, a total of 122 former players.  

To qualify, a player must have retired less than 25 years ago and at least 5 years ago:

The nominees are:

Quarterbacks:

Randall Cunningham: 1985-2001, PHI, MIN, DAL, BAL. Cunningham is a three-time Bert Bell Award winner a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jake Delhomme: 1999-11, NOR, CAR, HOU. Delhomme went to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and he would throw for over 20,000 Yards.

Boomer Esiason:  1984-97, CIN, NYJ, ARI.  Esiason went to four Pro Bowls and in 1988 he was named the AP MVP.  He would take the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and threw for over 37,000 Yards with 247 TDs.  Ranked #74 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Garcia:  1999-09, SFO, CLE, DET, PHI, TAM.  Garcia was a four-time Pro Bowler and would throw for over 25,000 Passing Yards.

Jeff Hostetler:  1985-97, NYG, RAI, OAK, WAS.  Hostetler won two Super Bowls and was the winning Quarterback in Super Bowl XXV. He would later be a Pro Bowl in 1994 with the Raiders.

Dave Krieg:  1980-98, SEA, KAN, DET, ARI, CHI, TEN.  Krieg went to three Pro Bowls with the Seahawks and threw for 38,147 Yards and 261 Touchdowns over a 19-year career.  Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Donovan McNabb:  1999-01, PHI, WAS, MIN.  McNabb took the Eagles to the Super Bowl and was a six-time Pro Bowler.  He threw for 37,276 Yards with 234 Touchdowns and ran for another 3,459 Yards and 29 TDs.  Ranked #67 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Running Backs:

Shaun Alexander:  2000-08, SEA, PHI.  Alexander went to three straight Pro Bowls and in the last one he won the Rushing Title and was named the AP MVP.  Alexander retired with 10,973 Yards From Scrimmage and 112 Touchdowns.

Mike Alstott:  1996-06, TAM.  Alstott won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He would total 7,373 Yards From Scrimmage with 71 Touchdowns.

Tiki Barber:  1997-06, NYG.  Barber rushed for over 10,000 Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowler.  He also caught another 5,000 Yards and was a two-time leader in Yards From Scrimmage.  Ranked #93 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Earnest Byner:  1984-97, CLE, WAS, BAL.  Byner won a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins and he was a two-time Pro Bowler. He would accumulate 12,866 Yards From Scrimmage with 71 Touchdowns over his career.

Larry Centers:  1990-03, PHO, ARI, WAS, BUF, NWE.  Centers was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection and totalled 8,985 Yards From Scrimmage

Corey Dillon:  1997-06, CIN, NWE.  Dillon won the Super Bowl with the Patriots and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Dillon accumulated 13,335 All-Purpose Yards over his career.

Eddie George:  1996-04, HOU, TEN, DAL.  George went to four straight Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2000.  He would rush for 10,441 Yards.

Priest Holmes:  1997-07, BAL, KC.  Winning the Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, Holmes had greater individual success with the Chiefs where he was a three-time First Team All-Pro.  He would tabulate 11,134 Yards From Scrimmage.

Edgerrin James:  1999-09, IND, ARI, SEA.  James won the Rushing Titles in his first two years in the NFL and he would go on to accrue 12,246 Yards from the ground.  He would have 15,610 Yards From Scrimmage and 91 Touchdowns in his career and was chosen for four Pro Bowls.  This is James’ fourth time as a Finalist.

Daryl Johnston:  1989-99, DAL.  “Moose” was the Fullback for the Cowboys team that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s. He would go to two Pro Bowls.

Thomas Jones:  2000-11, ARI, TAM, CHI, NYJ, KAN.  Jones was a Pro Bowler in 2008 and he would have 10,591 Rushing Yards with 71 TDs.

Maurice Jones-Drew:  2006-14, JAX, OAK.  Jones-Drew is entering his first year of eligibility and the long-time Jaguar won the Rushing Title in 2011.  He would overall accumulate 11,111 Yards from Scrimmage with 79 Touchdowns.

Eric Metcalf:  1989-02, CLE, ATL, SDG, ARI, CAR, WAS, GNB.  Incredibly versatile, Metcalf was also used as a Wide Receiver and Returner and the three-time Pro Bowler would total 17,230 All-Purpose Yards.

Lorenzo Neal:  1993-08, NOR, NYJ, TAM, TEN, CIN, SDG, BAL.  Playing at Fullback, Neal would go to four Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.

Clinton Portis:  2002-10, WAS.  Portis played his entire career with Washington and twice a Pro Bowler with 11,941 Yards From Scrimmage.  He would also record 80 Touchdowns.

Fred Taylor:  1998-10, JAX, NWE.  Taylor was a Pro Bowl Selection in 2007 and would accumulate 14,079 Yards From Scrimmage, 11,695 on the ground.

Herschel Walker:  1986-97, DAL, MIN, PHI, NYG.  Walker was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection who had 13,084 Yards From Scrimmage with 82 Touchdowns.  He is also the best player in USFL history, though we aren’t sure how much (if at all) the Pro Football Hall of Fame cares about that.  Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Warren:  1990-00, SEA, DAL, PHI.  Warren went to three straight Pro Bowls from ’93 to ’95.

Ricky Watters:  1992-01, SFO, PHI, SEA.  Watters was a Super Bowl Champion with the 49ers and he would go to the Pro Bowl in his first five years in the NFL.  He would lead the NFL in Yards From Scrimmage in 1996 and would have 14,891 in total.  Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Wide Receivers:

Isaac Bruce:  1994-04, LAR, STL, SFO.  Bruce was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection who led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1996.  He finished his career with 15,208 Receiving Yards and is 5^thall-time.  His 91 Touchdown Receptions is 12^thall-time.  Bruce was a Finalist last year and has a Super Bowl Wing with the St. Louis Rams. Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Gary Clark:  1985-95, WAS, PHO, ARI, MIA.  A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Washington Redskins, Gary Clark went to four Pro Bowls and would record 10,856 Receiving Yards.  Ranked #53 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Donald Driver:  1999-12, GNB.  Driver was a Super Bowl Champion with the Packers where he would also go to three Pro Bowls.  He would accumulate 10,137 Receiving Yards.

Henry Ellard:  1983-98, LAR, WAS, NWE.  Ellard led the NFL in Receiving Yards in 1988 and was a three-time Pro Bowl as well as a two-time First Team All-Pro.  He would have 13,777 Receiving Yards with 81 Touchdowns over his career.  Ranked #95 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt:1999-09, STL, JAX.  A Super Bowl Champion with the St. Louis Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Receiving Yards twice.  He finished his career with 13,382 Yards and 74 TDs.  Holt has previously been a Semi-Finalist.  Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chad Johnson:  2001-11, CIN, NWE.  Johnson went to six Pro Bowls as a Bengal and he would accumulate 11,059 Receiving Yards, punching 67 of them into the end zone.  “Ocho Cinco” was also a First Team All-Pro twice.  Ranked #72 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Derrick Mason:  1997-11, TEN, BAL.  Mason would record 12,061 Receiving Yards and was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice.  Ranked #102 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Muhsin Muhammad:  1996-09, CAR, CHI.  Muhammad led all NFL Wide Receivers in Yards in 2004, which was the season he was chosen as a First Team All-Pro.  He would net 11,438 Receiving Yards in total.

Jimmy Smith:  1992-05, DAL, JAX.  Smith was chosen for five consecutive Pro Bowls (1997-01) and in 1999 he led the NFL in Receptions.  He would retire with 12,287 Receiving Yards and 67 Touchdowns.  Ranked #96 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Rod Smith:  1995-06, DEN.  Smith would win two Super Bowls with the Broncos and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection.  He recorded 11,389 Yards with 68 TDs.  Ranked #51 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward:  1998-11, PIT.  Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was the MVP in one of them.  A previous Semi-Finalist, he has four Pro Bowls, 85 Touchdowns and 12,083 Yards on his resume.  Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Reggie Wayne:  2001-14, IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts and was the Receiving Yards leader in 2007.  A six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne’s 14,345 Yards ranks him 10^thall-time.         Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tight Ends: 

Dallas Clark:  2003-13, IND, TAM, BAL.  Clark would win the Super Bowl with the Colts and was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection in 2009.  He would record 5,665 Yards with 53 Touchdowns.

Ben Coates:  1991-00, NWE, BAL.  Coates was a Pro Bowler in five straight years from 1994 to 1998 and was a two-time First Team All-Pro.  He would accumulate 5,555 Yards with 50 Touchdowns.  Ranked #78 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Keith Jackson:  1988-96, PHI, MIA, GNB.  Jackson was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection and in his first three seasons in the NFL was a First Team All-Pro.  He would have 5,283 Receiving Yards with 49 TDs.  Ranked #63 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brent Jones:  1987-97, SFO.  Jones went to four Pro Bowls in a row (1992-95) and he was a three-time Super Champion with San Francisco.  He accrued 5,195 Yards with 33 TDs over his career.

Jeremy Shockey:  2002-11, NYG, NO, CAR.  Shockey would go to four Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro as a rookie.  He would later win a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints.

Wesley Walls:  1989-03, SFO, NOR, CAR, GNB.  Walls was named to the Pro Bowl five times when he was with the Carolina Panthers.  He would have 5,291 Yards with 54 TDs in his career.

Offensive Lineman:

Willie Anderson:  1996-08, CIN, BAL.  Anderson was chosen for four Pro Bowls in a row (2003-06), with his last three being First Team All-Pro worthy.

Matt Birk:  1998-12, MIN, BAL.  Birk is a Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens and would prior have six Pro Bowls as a Minnesota Viking.  Ranked #66 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli:  1995-01, JAX.  Boselli was a Finalist for the last three years and he was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  Ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lomas Brown:  1985-02, DET, ARI, CLE, NYG, TAM.  Brown had seven straight Pro Bowls (1990-96) and in his last season in the NFL, he would win a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

Ray Donaldson:  1980-96, BAL, IND, SEA, DAL.  Donaldson would be chosen for six Pro Bowls over his career.

Alan Faneca:  1998-10, PIT, NYJ, ARI.  Faneca has been a Finalist for the last three years and he is a Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He is also a nine-time Pro Bowl and a six-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kevin Gogan:  1987-00, DAL, RAI, OAK, SFO, MIA, SDG.  Gogan was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with Dallas and would also go to three Pro Bowls.

Jordan Gross:  2003-13, CAR.  A career Carolina Panther, Jordan Gross went to three Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2008.

Chris Hinton:  1985-95, IND, ATL, MIN.  Hinton went to seven Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 1993.  Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kent Hull:  1986-96, BUF.  Hull was a three-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.

Steve Hutchinson:  2001-12, SEA, MIN, TEN.  Hutchinson has been a Finalist the last two years and he is a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lincoln Kennedy:  1993-03, ATL, OAK.  Kennedy was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders and would be a First Team All-Pro once.

Olin Kreutz:  1998-11, CHI, NOR.  Kreutz went to six Pro Bowls and was also a one-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #60 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Samuels:  2000-09, WAS.  Samuels went to six Pro Bowls in a career spent only as a Redskin.

Jeff Saturday:  1999-02, IND, GNB.  Saturday won a Super Bowl with the Colts and he was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #84 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Waters:  Waters would go to six Pro Bowls and was named to two First Team All-Pros.  Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com

Richmond Webb:  1990-02, MIA, CIN.  Webb was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first seven seasons with two of them earning First Team All-Pro nods.

Erik Williams:  1991-01, DAL, BAL.  Williams won three Super Bowls with Dallas and he went to four Pro Bowls.

Steve Wisniewski:  1989-01, RAI, OAK.  A previous Semi-Finalist, Wisniewski played his entire career with the Raiders and he was an eight-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Linemen:

John Abraham:  Recording 133.5 Sacks, Abraham was a five-time Pro Bowl and two-time Second Team All-Pro.  He is in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com.

La’Roi Glover:  1996-08, OAK, NOR, DAL, STL.  Glover was a six-time Pro Bowl Selection and in 2000 he would lead the NFL in Sack and was also a First Team All-Pro that year.

Casey Hampton:  2001-12, PIT.  Hampton played his entire career with the Steelers where he won two Super Bowls and was chosen for five Pro Bowls.

Chester McGlockton:  1992-03, RAI, OAK, KAN, DEN, NYJ.  McGlockton’s four Pro Bowls were with the Raiders and were consecutive from 1994 to 1997.  1995 would see him earn a First Team All-Pro Selection.

Leslie O’Neal:  1986-99, SDG, STL, KAN.  O’Neal was a six-time Pro Bowler during his tenure with the Chargers.

Simeon Rice:  1996-07, ARI, TAM, IND, DEN.  Rice won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and was a three-time Pro Bowler.

Richard Seymour:  2001-12, NWE, OAK.  Seymour won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a seven-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  Seymour was a Finalist last year.  Ranked #47 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Justin Smith:  2001-14, CIN, SFO.  Smith went on a five-year streak in the second half of his career of Pro Bowls (2009-14) and was a one-time First Team All-Pro in the middle of it.  Ranked #101 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Neil Smith:  1988-00, KAN, DEN, SDG.  Smith would go to six Pro Bowls and was also a First Team All-Pro in 1993.  He would also win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.  Ranked #39 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Greg Townsend:  1983-97, RAI, PHI, OAK.  Townsend is a Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders and would be named to two Pro Bowls.

Bryant Young:  1994-07, SFO.  Young won a Super Bowl with the 49ers and he would be chosen for four Pro Bowls.

Linebackers:

Carl Banks:  1984-95, NYG, WAS, CLE.  Banks won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants and he was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro in 1987.

Cornelius Bennett:  1987-00, BUF, ATL, IND.  Bennett would go to five Pro Bowls and he was a First Team All-Pro in 1988.

Lance Briggs:  2003-14, CHI.  Briggs went to seven straight Pro Bowls (2005-11) and he was a First Team All-Pro in the first year of that streak.  He is in his first year of eligibility.  Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tedy Bruschi:  1996-08, NWE.   Bruschi won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was a Pro Bowler in 2004.

James Farrior:  1997-11, NYJ, PIT.  Farrior was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would also go to two Pro Bowls.

London Fletcher:  1998-13, STL, BUF, WAS.  Fletcher would win a Super Bowl early in his career with the Rams and late on his career, he would make the Pro Bowl four years in a row as a Redskin. He would accumulate over 2,000 Combined Tackles over his career.  Ranked #62 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Seth Joyner:  1986-98, PHI, ARI, GNB, DEN.  Joyner was a three-time Pro Bowler and would win a Super Bowl late in his career with the Packers.

Wilber Marshall:  1984-95, CHI, WAS, HOU, ARI, NYJ.  Marshall was a Super Bowl Champion with both the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins and he would go to three Pro Bowls.

Clay Matthews:  1978-96, CLE, ATL.  Matthews played 278 Games and would go to four Pro Bowls while playing for the Cleveland Browns.

Willie McGinest:  1994-08, NWE, CLE.  McGinest would win three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was named to two Pro Bowls.

Sam Mills:  1986-97, NOR, CAR.  Mills was chosen for five Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chris Spielman:  1988-97, DET, BUF.  Spielman would lead the NFL in Tackles in 1994 and was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.

Takeo Spikes:  1998-12, CIN, BUF, PHI, SFO, SDG.  Spikes was chosen for two Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro in 2004. 

Darryl Talley:  1983-86, BUF, ATL, MIN.  Talley was a Pro Bowl Selection twice.

Zach Thomas:  1996-08, MIA.  Thomas is an eight-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro who has twice led the NFL in Tackles.  He has been a Semi-Finalist before.

Jessie Tuggle:  1987-00, ATL.  Tuggle would lead the NFL in Tackles four times and he is first all-time in Solo Tackles with 1,640.  He went to five Pro Bowls.

Patrick Willis:  2007-14, SFO.  Willis retired before the age of 30 and is now in his first year of eligibility. The career 49er led the league in Tackles twice and is a seven-time Pro Bowl and five-time First Team All-Pro.  Ranked #16 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Defensive Backs:

Eric Allen:  1988-01, PHI, NOR, OAK.  Allen secured 54 Interceptions and would have six Pro Bowl Seasons, with one of them earning a First Team All-Pro Selection.  Ranked #38 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Atwater: 1989-99, DEN, NYJ.   A Finalist last year, Steve Atwater had 1,180 Tackles with eight Pro Bowl Seasons.  He would also win two Super Bowls with the Broncos and is a two-time First Team All-Pro.       Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber:  1997-12, TAM.  Barber helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their only Super Bowl and he would record 47 Interceptions and 1,231 Tackles.  A five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Barber has been a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler:  1990-01, GNB.  Butler won a Super Bowl with the Packers and in all four of his Pro Bowl Selections, he would also be named a First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist in the past.  Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Nick Collins:  2005-11, GNB.  Collins won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers and was a Pro Bowler three times. He would lead the NFL in Interception Return Yards in 2008.

Merton Hanks:  1991-98, SFO, SEA.  Hanks won a Super Bowl with the Niners and was also a Pro Bowl Selection four times.

Rodney Harrison:  1994-08, SDG, NWE.  Harrison won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and he was a Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro twice.

Albert Lewis:  1983-98, KAN, RAI, OAK.  Lewis would record 42 Interceptions and he was a four-time Pro Bowler.  He also had two First Team All-Pro Selections.

John Lynch:  1993-07, TAM, DEN.  A Finalist for the last six years, Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and was a Pro Bowl Selection nine times.  He also was a First Team All-Pro twice.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Terry McDaniel:  1988-98, RAI, OAK, SEA.  McDaniel went to five straight Pro Bowls with the Raiders from 1992 to 1996. 

Tim McDonald:  1987-99, STL, PHO, SFO.  McDonald recorded 40 Interceptions and was a six-time Pro Bowler.  He would win a Super Bowl with the 49ers.

Troy Polamalu:  2003-14, PIT.  Polamalu is entering his first year of eligibility and he is a former 2010 AP Defensive Player of the Year.  Polamalu played his entire career with the Steelers and helped them win two Super Bowls. Individually, he is an eight-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bob Sanders:  2004-11, IND, SDG.  Sanders only played 50 Games but was the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year and is the owner of a Super Bowl Ring with the Colts.

Troy Vincent:  1992-06, MIA, PHI, BUF, WAS.   Vincent’s five Pro Bowls would all come consecutively when he was with the Eagles. He would earn First Team All-Pro honors in 2002.

Darren Woodson:  1992-03, DAL.  A part of the Cowboys three Super Bowl Titles in the early 90s, Woodson was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro.  He has been a Semi-Finalist before.

Place Kickers:

David Akers:  1998-13, PHI, SFO, DET.  Akers was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection.

Gary Anderson:  1982-04, PIT, PHI, SFO, MIN, TEN.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls and at the time of his retirement, he was the all-time leader in Points Scored and Field Goals Made.

Jason Elam:  1993-09, DEN, ATL.  Elam won two Super Bowls with Denver and is a three-time Pro Bowler.

Jason Hanson:  1992-12, DET.  Hanson played his entire career with the Detroit Lions and was chosen for two Pro Bowls. He is fourth all-time in Points Scored and Field Goals Made.

Ryan Longwell:  1997-12, GNB, MIN, SEA.  Longwell is 17^thall-time in Field Goals Made.

Nick Lowery:  1978-96, KC, NYJ.  Lowery is a three-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro.  He is 13^thall-time in Field Goals Made.

Punters:

Jeff Feagles:  1988-09, NEW, PHI, ARI, SEA, NYG.  Feagles was a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Giants.

Sean Landeta:  1985-05, NYG, LAR, STL, TAM, GNB, PHI.  Landeta won two Super Bowls with the Giants and was chosen for three First Team All-Pros.  He is currently third all-time in Punting Yards.

Reggie Roby:  1983-98, MIA, WAS, TAM, HOU, TEN, SFO.  Roby went to three Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros.

Rohn Stark:  1982-97, BAL, IND, PIT, CAR, SEA.  Stark was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro.

Matt Turk:  1995-11, WAS, MIA, NYJ, STL, HOU, JAX.  Turk’s three Pro Bowls were consecutive from 1996 to 1998.  He was a First Team All-Pro in ’95.

Special Teams:

Johnny Bailey (PR/KR/RB): 1990-95, CHI, PHO, LAR, STL.  Bailey was a one-time Pro Bowl Selection and he accumulated 6,027 All-Purpose Yards.

Josh Cribbs (PR/KR/WR): 2005-14, CLE, NYJ, IND.  Cribbs was a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro and collected 15,453 All-Purpose Yards.  This is his first year of eligibility.  

Mel Gray (PR/KR/WR): 1986-97, NOR, DET, HOU, TEN, PHI.  Gray was chosen for four Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pros.  He would accrue 13,279 All-Purpose Yards.

Brian Mitchell (KR/PR/RB): 1990-03, WAS, PHI, NYG.  Mitchell was a one-time Pro Bowl recipient and a four-time leader in All-Purpose Yards. He totaled 23,330 in APY, and is second all-time in that statistic.

Steve Tasker (ST/WR): 1985-97, HOU, BUF. Tasker is a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection at Special Teams.  Ranked #88 on Notinhalloffame.com.

There are a few immediate reactions.  The first is that unlike in years past, there are no Coaches listed.  It was announced that Seniors, Contributors and Senior Finalists will be led by a special 25-member Blue-Ribbon panel.  This is very different from in years past as Senior Candidates and Contributor Finalists were announced in August or September.  Coaches had always been part of the Preliminary Nominee List. Not this year!

Special Teams players are well represented on this preliminary list, which is atypical of what we have seen in the past.  Whether or not this could result in one of them making the Semi-Finalist cut remains to be seen.

There are eight first-year nominees in this group consisting of Abraham, Briggs, Cribbs, Jones-Drew, Polamalu, J. Smith, Wayne and Willis.

With all due respect to many of these candidates, there are several of these Preliminary Nominees that have no realistic chance for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

With all of that being said, this is by far one of our favorite Halls of Fame.  We love the multiple stages that they have and in terms of transparency, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is certainly more so than most of them.

We can’t stress enough how special this year is for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  As most of you aware, this is the 100^thAnniversary of the National Football League and the Hall of Fame Board will be celebrating this with a special Centennial Class of 20 members for 2020.  The group will comprise of five Modern-Era Players, 10 Senior Candidates, three Contributors and two Coaches.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, this is planned for only 2020 only.

The Semi-Finalists for the Modern-Era Players will be announced in November.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com are thrilled with this year’s plan for the Pro Football Hall of Fame plans for 2020, and we will be watching!