sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alan Faneca, Ben Coates, Brian Waters, Chris Spielman, Cornelius Bennett, Daryl Johnston

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 09/12/2019

122 MODERN-ERA NOMINEES FOR THE HALL OF FAME’S CLASS OF 2020 LIST OF NOMINEES TO BE CUT TO 25 SEMIFINALISTS IN NOVEMBER; 15 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY; FIVE TO BE ELECTED TO CENTENNIAL CLASS ON EVE OF

CANTON, OHIO – A total of 122 players, including eight in their first year of eligibility, comprise the list of Modern-Era player nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020. The large list of Modern-Era nominees includes only players whose careers ended less than 25 seasons ago. The nominees include 63 offensive players, 43 defensive players, and 16 special teams players.

MODERN-ERA NOMINEES FOR THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 *Finalist in 2019; Underline indicates first year of eligibility.

Quarterbacks (7) – , , FIRST-YEAR ELIGIBLE , , Jeff Hostetler, Dave Players must have last played at least five full seasons ago to be eligible for nomination. The following Krieg, Donovan McNabb nominated players last played in 2014 thereby becoming eligible for Hall’s Class of 2020. Running Backs (19) – , (FB), Tiki John Abraham, DE/LB , LB Barber, Earnest Byner, Larry Centers, Corey Dillon, , KR/PR also WR , , *, Maurice Jones-Drew, RB Daryl Johnston (FB), Thomas Jones, Maurice , SS Jones-Drew, (also WR/KR/PR), Justin Smith, DE (FB), Clinton Portis, Fred Taylor, , WR , LB (also KR), Chris Warren,

Wide Receivers (12) – *, Gary Clark, , Henry Ellard (also PR), , , Derrick Mason, , , Rod Smith, , Reggie Wayne

September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where was born.

Tight Ends (6) – Clark, , , , ,

Offensive Linemen (19) – Willie Anderson (T), (C), * (T), (T), (C), * (G), (G/T), (T), Chris Hinton (G/T), (C), *Steve Hutchinson (G), (T/G), (C), Chris Samuels (T), (C), (G), (T), (T), (G)

Defensive Linemen (11) – John Abraham (DE also LB), La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), (DT/NT), Chester McGlockton (DT), Leslie O’Neal (DE), (DE), * (DT), Justin Smith (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Greg Townsend (DT/NT), (DT)

Linebackers (17) – Carl Banks, , Lance Briggs, , , , , Wilber Marshall, Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE), , , , , , Jessie Tuggle, Patrick Willis

Defensive Backs (15) – (CB), * (S), (CB/S), LeRoy Butler (S), (S), Merton Hanks (S), (S), Albert Lewis (CB), *John Lynch (S), Terry McDaniel (CB), Tim McDonald (S), Troy Polamalu (SS), (S), (CB), (S)

Punters/Kickers (11) – (K), Gary Anderson (K), (K), Jeff Feagles (P), Jason Hanson (K), (P), Ryan Longwell (K), (K), Reggie Roby (P), Rohn Stark (P), Matt Turk (P)

Special Teams (5) – Johnny Bailey (PR/KR also RB), Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR), Mel Gray (PR/KR also WR), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), (ST also WR)

NEXT STEPS IN SELECTION PROCESS The Modern-Era players list will be reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November and to 15 Finalists in early January 2020. The finalists will then be presented to the full 48-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee during its annual meeting on “Selection Saturday,” the day before Super Bowl LIV.

The Hall of Fame Board recently passed a resolution that suspended the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee By-Laws for the Class of 2020 election cycle only. The measure is intended to honor the NFL’s Centennial Celebration through a special Centennial Class that will be comprised of 20 members in 2020. The group will include five Modern-Era players to come from the list announced

September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where the league was born.

today in addition to 10 Seniors (a player who has been retired for more than 25 seasons), three Contributors (an individual other than a player or coach) and two Coaches.

The Selection Committee will meet on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020 in to elect the Class of 2020 that will include five Modern-Era players. The Modern-Era Finalists will be trimmed during the meeting from 15 to 10 and then from 10 to the five who will be elected as part of the Class of 2020.

The determination of the Seniors, Contributors and Coaches Finalists will be led by a special 25- person Centennial “Blue-Ribbon” panel who will review the backlog of deserving Seniors, Coaches and Contributors. The Blue-Ribbon Panel will be comprised of Hall of Fame Selectors, Pro Football Hall of Famers, media members, football historians and industry experts.

The Centennial Class of 2020 will be formally enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the annual Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls from Aug. 6-9, 2020 and the Centennial Celebration in Canton on Sept. 16-19, 2020.

2020 ENSHRINEMENT WEEK POWERED BY JOHNSON CONTROLS OFFICIAL TICKET PACKAGES Official ticket packages for the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls are on sale now at www.HOFexperiences.com by calling 844-751-0532. A variety of ticket packages provide fans with VIP experiences, premium seating and parties with Hall of Famers. Packages range from event day offerings to four-day experiences that include a multitude of exclusive extras.

Individual tickets to the 2020 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls will go on sale at a later date.

Fans can also sign up to receive information and updates about tickets by going to www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement-ticket-info-request/ or by following the Hall on social media @ProFootballHOF on , Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

###

CONTACTS: Pete Fierle, Chief of Staff & Senior Vice President of Communications [email protected]; 330-588-3622

Rachel Gutting, Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives [email protected]; 330-588-3671

September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where the league was born.

ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the , the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum’s commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience “The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” that chronicles America’s most popular sport. Fans can also enjoy the Hall of Fame Store at the Hall, and online at www.profootballhof.com/store, for merchandise from all 32 NFL clubs plus the Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the Store support the Hall’s Mission.

Construction on Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, a mixed-use development project, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame’s campus.

@ProFootballHOF

September 16-19, 2020 A once-in-every- other-lifetime celebration to kick off the NFL’s next century in the city where the league was born.