Johnny Robinson Selected as Finalist for Hall of Fame's Class of 2019

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Johnny Robinson was selected as the Seniors Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. Robinson was picked by the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee who met at the Hall of Fame in Canton today.

Robinson, who was drafted in the first round of the American Football League draft by the Dallas Texans (who later became the Kansas City Chiefs) and third overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, played 12 seasons from 1960 to 1971.

“I’m thrilled. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have been selected,” Robinson shared after he learned the news from Hall of Fame President David Baker.

The LSU product began his pro career as a running back until he switched to safety in his third season. It was at that position that he left an indelible mark on the game as he recorded 57 interceptions over a ten-year span. Twice he picked off 10 passes in a season when he led the AFL in that category in 1966 and the NFL in 1970.

Robinson, a key member of the Chiefs’ dominant defense of that era, was voted to seven Pro Bowls, received all-league recognition six straight years (All-AFL, 1965-69; All-NFL, 1970), and was named to the AFL’s All-Time Team.

He was a member of the 1962 Texans AFL championship team and the 1969 Chiefs who captured the Super Bowl IV championship.

The Seniors Committee is comprised of nine members of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee who consider players whose careers ended at least 25 years ago. Through mail vote, the 2019 senior nominees were reduced to a final list of candidates. Then, on a rotating basis, five of the nine members meet at the Pro Football Hall of Fame to discuss each of the Seniors candidates and select the finalist.

To be elected to the Hall of Fame, Robinson must receive the same 80 percent voting support by the entire 48-member Selection Committee on “Selection Saturday.” The Hall’s Selection Committee, at its annual meeting to be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Ga., will consider 18 finalists, including a Senior (Robinson), two Contributors (to be named Thursday, Aug. 23), and 15 Modern-Era Finalists (to be determined from a preliminary list announced on September 13; trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November and to 15 finalists in January). Current bylaws call for a class no smaller than four or larger than eight. The Senior Finalist will be voted on for election independent of the other finalists.

The Class of 2019 will be formally enshrined during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls in Canton next August 1-4.

SENIOR FINALISTS (ALL-TIME)

Those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame are indicated in caps.

1972 – ACE PARKER

1973 – Ole Haugsrud

1974 – TONY CANADEO

1975 – No senior candidate selected.

1976 – RAY FLAHERTY

1977 – BILL WILLIS

1978 – TUFFY LEEMANS

1979 – Marshall Goldberg

1980 – Lou Creekmur

1981 – RED BADGRO

1982 – GEORGE MUSSO

1983 – Mac Speedie

1984 – ARNIE WEINMEISTER

1985 – FRANK GATSKI

1986 – DOAK WALKER

1987 – JOHN HENRY JOHNSON

1988 – Lou Rymkus

1989 – Henry Jordan

1990 – BOB ST. CLAIR

1991 – STAN JONES

1992 – Willie Galimore

1993 – Dick Stanfel

1994 – LEROY KELLY

1995 – HENRY JORDAN

1996 – LOU CREEKMUR

1997 – Jerry Kramer

1998 – TOMMY McDONALD

1999 – BILLY SHAW

2000 – DAVE WILCOX

2001 – NICK BUONICONTI

2002 – GEORGE ALLEN

2003 – HANK STRAM

2004 – BOB BROWN, Bob Hayes

2005 – BENNY FRIEDMAN, FRITZ POLLARD

2006 – JOHN MADDEN, RAYFIELD WRIGHT

2007 – GENE HICKERSON, CHARLIE SANDERS

2008 – Marshall Goldberg, EMMITT THOMAS

2009 – BOB HAYES, Claude Humphrey

2010 – DICK LeBEAU, FLOYD LITTLE

2011 – CHRIS HANBURGER, LES RICHTER

2012 – JACK BUTLER, Dick Stanfel

2013 – CURLEY CULP, DAVE ROBINSON

2014 – RAY GUY, CLAUDE HUMPHREY

2015 – MICK TINGELHOFF

2016 – KEN STABLER, DICK STANFEL

2017 – KENNY EASLEY

2018 – ROBERT BRAZILE, JERRY KRAMER