Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Titans owner Bud Adams takes step toward Hall of Fame

Former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams is among the 25 people to take the next step toward election in the Contributor Category of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Titans owner K.S. ‘Bud’ Adams is one step closer to being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is among 25 candidates who have taken the next step toward potentially becoming a member of the Contributor Category of the Class of 2025.

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Adams joins Roone Arledge, Chris Berman, Howard Cosell, Otho Davis, John Facenda, Mike Giddings, Ralph Hay, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Don Klosterman, Eddie Kotic, Robert Kraft, Virginia McCaskey, Rich McKay, John McVay, Art Modell, Lee Remmel, Eddie Robinson, Art Rooney Jr., Jerry Seeman, Seymour Siwoff, Amy Trask, Jim Tunney, Doug Williams and John Wooten on that list. 

Adams’ influence on the game is undeniable. Joining former Kansas City owner Lamar Hunt, they founded the original American Football League in 1960 and survived until the merger with the NFL in 1970. In recognition of this achievement, he received the Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football in 2008, for his role in helping the NFL reach the pinnacle of professional sports. 

Adams, who passed away in 2013, was the founder and owner of the Oilers/Titans from 1960-2012. During his time at the helm of the franchise, he oversaw the transition from Houston to Nashville and cultivated a tremendous fan base. He was also a pivotal figure among the NFL owners, leading the way on many initiatives that helped the game become what it is today. 

The next step in the journey will be when the committee trims the list from 25 to nine semifinalists in two weeks. 

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Doug Williams one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Could Doug Williams land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Who will be the next member of the Washington NFL organization to enter the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio?

Will it be Brian Mitchell, London Fletcher, Joe Jacoby, or someone else?

Or could it be Doug Williams?

On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed its list from 47 to 25 candidates in the contributor category for selection into the 2025 class. Williams was one of those 25 nominees.

Here’s what the HOF statement said about Williams’ candidacy:

Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes

In addition to his outstanding playing career, Williams had two successful stints as a college head coach at his alma mater (Grambling) before returning to the NFL and working in personnel. Williams returned to Washington in 2014 as a personnel executive. He’s remained with the franchise since and is currently a senior advisor to general manager Adam Peters.

The next step is for the Hall’s Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee to trim the list to nine names, which will happen in two weeks. Ultimately, the process will end with one of these 25 names going into the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Steelers’ VP Art Rooney Jr. named a 2025 Hall of Fame candidate

Beloved member of the Rooney family, Steelers’ VP Art Rooney Jr., is one of 25 candidates from the Contributor category for 2025 HOF.

Steelers’ Vice President Art Rooney Jr., son of the Steelers’ founder Art Rooney Sr. and father of Steelers’ owner Art Rooney II, is one of 25 candidates named for the Contributor category in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Rooney Jr. served as the Steelers’ Personnel Director from 1965 to 1986, before becoming the Steelers’ Vice President in 1987.

Without Rooney Jr., the Pittsburgh Steelers’ generational success might have never come to fruition, as he  and the scouting department was responsible for 10 Hall of Fame caliber players from 1969 to 1974.  Players drafted or signed from his guidance included ‘Mean’ Joe Green, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, and Mel Blount, just to name a few.

The Rooney family is a vital and beloved piece of Steelers history, and in some ways, the heart of Pittsburgh itself.  Rooney Jr. created the tradition of winning for the ‘Steel City’, and much of what we fans love today about our great team is because of him.

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Derrick Henry’s cleats now on display at Hall of Fame to celebrate 2 milestones

Derrick Henry’s cleats now on display at Pro Football Hall of Fame to celebrate 10,000 yards rushing and 100 career touchdowns

Derrick Henry will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, and his game-worn cleats will be there waiting.

One week after rushing 15 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, Henry had his cleats sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to celebrate eclipsing 10,000 yards rushing and 100 career touchdowns.

Henry is now the 13th player in league history to eclipse both 10,000 rushing yards and 100 scrimmage touchdowns for a career.

Henry also became only the fifth player in NFL history with at least 10,000 rushing yards and 100 scrimmage touchdowns in his first 125 career games, joining Hall of Famers Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Adrian Peterson. Through Week 5 of the 2024 season, Henry’s career totals show 10,074 rushing yards and 100 scrimmage touchdowns (96 rushing, four receiving).

Jared Goff’s perfect night honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jared Goff’s perfect night against the Seahawks honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

There’s a little bit more Detroit Lions representation in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, thanks to a perfect night from quarterback Jared Goff.

When the Lions quarterback completed all 18 of his pass attempts in the Week 4 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Goff set the NFL record for the most pass attempts without an incompletion in a game. The Pro Football Hall of Fame took note.

Goff’s jersey from the perfect night is now enshrined on display at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Hall regularly adds new exhibits from significant accomplishments during a season, and Goff’s record-setting night certainly qualifies.

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Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ football makes it into the Hall of Fame

Commanders’ Jayden Daniels is now represented at the Pro Football HOF in Canton.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is the talk of the NFL. The rookie has an 82.1% completion percentage through four games, won multiple Rookie and Player of the Week awards, and was most recently named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month.

Most importantly, Daniels has the Commanders sitting at 3-1.

With such a hot start to his career, the Pro Football Hall of Fame wanted in on the action. A key artifact from Daniels’ hot start will now be displayed at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Daniels’ last completion in Washington’s 38-33 upset win on Monday Night Football against the Bengals in Week 3 is now in Canton.

Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes against the Bengals for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 39 yards and another touchdown.

The Commanders hope this is one of many items relating to their rookie quarterback that will be on display at the Hall of Fame for years to come.

Julius Peppers to be honored at UNC’s homecoming football game

Julius Peppers was one of the greatest football players to ever come through Chapel Hill. Peppers will be honored at Saturday’s UNC-Pitt game for his endless list of contributions.

When it comes to the greatest defensive players in both college football and NFL history, look no further than Julius Peppers.

A former 2-sport athlete who shifted to focus solely on football entering the 2001 college football season, his final one at UNC, Peppers continuously struck fear into opposing quarterbacks. He finished his Tar Heel career with 30.5 sacks, second-most in program history, then earned a Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction for his consistent, star-level production at the professional level.

The Pro Football HOF isn’t the only Hall of Fame Peppers is being inducted to.

On Saturday, Oct. 5 during North Carolina’s homecoming game against Pitt, Peppers will be honored for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

“During the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes, each electee returns to his respective school to accept a Hall of Fame plaque that will stay on permanent display at the institution,” the National Football Foundation writes. “The events take place on the field during a home game, and many Hall of Famers cite the experience as the ultimate capstone to their careers, providing them one more chance to take the field and be recognized in front of their home crowd.”

Peppers’ UNC career was impressive, which also included him being named a First Team All-American, Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award winner in 2001, but the NFL truly cemented Peppers’ legacy.

Peppers played 17 professional seasons with the Carolina Panthers (10), Chicago Bears (four) and Green Bay Packers (three), registering 159.5 sacks (fourth all-time). Peppers was the 2002 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a 9-time Pro Bowler and he added six defensive touchdowns.

Tar Heel Nation is forever thankful that Peppers chose to spend a small part of his legendary football career in Chapel Hill. Even if you’re not watching Saturday’s UNC-Pitt game for the game itself, make sure you tune in – or attend in-person, if you can – to watch Peppers be honored.

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Panthers honor Julius Peppers’ Hall of Fame enshrinement in special ceremony

Here are the best sights and sounds from Sunday’s ceremony for Panthers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.

Carolina Panthers legend Julius Peppers may have been officially enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame nearly two months ago, but the party hasn’t stopped.

During halftime of Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Panthers honored their local legend and all-time leading sack artist. Peppers, in a special ceremony, came back home and received his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence—the icing on top of his immortalized football legacy.

Here are the best scenes from the memorable return to Bank of America Stadium . . .

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Full list of 30 former Broncos nominated for 2025 Hall of Fame class

The Broncos have 30 former players nominated for the 2025 Hall of Fame class, and Mike Shanahan is expected to be a top coach candidate.

Earlier this week, the NFL announced 19 former Denver Broncos players have been nominated for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class as modern-era candidates.

Those 19 players join a previous list of 11 senior candidate nominees who were announced earlier this month, giving the Broncos 30 total players who have been nominated for next year’s Hall of Fame class. Here are the full lists.

Broncos modern-era HOF candidates

  1. WR Rod Smith
  2. C Tom Nalen
  3. K Jason Elam
  4. G Mark Schlereth
  5. LB Bill Romanowski
  6. DL Neil Smith
  7. WR Demaryius Thomas
  8. CB Aqib Talib
  9. WR Wes Welker
  10. RB Clinton Portis
  11. WR Brandon Marshall
  12. RB Glyn Milburn
  13. CB Dré Bly
  14. TE Vernon Davis
  15. DL Jamal Williams
  16. LB Keith Brooking
  17. RB Jamaal Charles
  18. DL Ted Washington
  19. DL Simeon Rice

Broncos senior HOF candidates

  1. LB/DL Karl Mecklenburg
  2. LB Tom Jackson
  3. DB Dennis Smith
  4. WR Lionel Taylor
  5. WR/R Rick Upchurch
  6. CB Louis Wright
  7. WR Bob Scarpitto
  8. DL Michael Dean Perry
  9. RB Sammy Winder
  10. DL Lyle Alzado
  11. DE Rich Jackson

Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan is also expected to be nominated for the 2025 Hall of Fame class in the coach category.

The Hall of Fame’s selection committee will trim the list of nominees in mid-October before announcing semifinalists and finalists later in the fall. The 2025 class will be announced before Super Bowl LVIX next year.

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12 former Patriots players nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Plenty of worthy Patriots legends nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025

The nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were announced on Wednesday, and 12 New England Patriots players made the cut.

Those names on the list include the following: Corey Dillon, Wes Welker, Ben Coates, Bruce Armstrong, Logan Mankins, Vince Wilfork, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Rodney Harrison, Aqib Talib and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Dillon, Welker, Mankins, Wilfork, Bruschi, Vrabel, McGinest, Harrison and Vinatieri were all part of the successful Patriots dynasties of the early 2000s. Coates and Armstrong helped build the foundational pillars of the organization in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Talib played for the Patriots for two seasons in 2012 and 2013. He was an important part of the secondary and managed to have an All-Pro season in his final year with the team.

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This is a solid representation of Patriots players throughout the early and middle part of the century. It just reaffirms how much talent the organization had over the years as they were building a dynasty that spanned nearly two decades.

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