Class of 2015 Finalists Announced
Three first-year eligible nominees – Junior Seau, Orlando Pace, and Kurt Warner – are among the 15 Modern-Era Finalists who will be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when the Hall’s Selection Committee meets in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, January 31, 2015.
Joining the first-year eligible nominees, are nine other modern-era players and three coaches. The 15 Modern-Era Finalists join the senior finalist announced in August 2014 (former Minnesota Vikings center Mick Tingelhoff) and two Contributor finalists announced in October (team executives Bill Polian and Ron Wolf) to comprise the list 18 finalists who will be considered for Hall of Fame election when the 46-member Selection Committee meets.
The 15 Modern-Era Finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall’s Selection Committee from a list of 113 nominees that earlier was reduced to 26 semifinalists, during the multi-step, year-long selection process. Tingelhoff was selected as the Senior Finalist by the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee. The Seniors Committee reviews the qualifications of those players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago. Polian and Wolf were selected as the Contributor Finalists by the Hall of Fame’s Contributor Committee. Contributors are persons who made outstanding contributions to professional football other than players and coaches.
To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent.
Finalists for Class of 2015 | Years of Eligibility | Finalists capsule bios | By Team | By Position | Selection meeting | 2015 Enshrinement Festival | VIP Fan Packages
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s 18 finalists (15 Modern-Era players and coaches, one Senior Finalist* and two Contributor Finalists**) with their positions, teams, and years active follow:
Morten Andersen, Kicker – 1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings
Jerome Bettis, Running Back – 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
Tim Brown, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner – 1988-2003 Los Angeles/ Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978 -1986 San Diego Chargers
Terrell Davis, Running Back – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
Tony Dungy, Coach – 1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002-08 Indianapolis Colts
Kevin Greene, Linebacker/Defensive End – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
Charles Haley, Defensive End/Linebacker – 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
Marvin Harrison, Wide Receiver – 1996-2008 Indianapolis Colts
Jimmy Johnson, Coach – 1989-1993 Dallas Cowboys, 1996- 99 Miami Dolphins
John Lynch, Free Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
Orlando Pace, Tackle – 1997-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Chicago Bears
**Bill Polian, Contributor – 1978-1982 Kansas City Chiefs, 1984-1992 Buffalo Bills, 1993-94 National Football League, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers, 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts
Junior Seau, Linebacker – 1990-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-05 Miami Dolphins, 2006-09 New England Patriots
Will Shields, Guard – 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs
*Mick Tingelhoff, Center – 1962-1978 Minnesota Vikings
Kurt Warner, Quarterback – 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals
**Ron Wolf, Contributor – 1963-1974, 1979-1989 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1966 American Football League, 1976-78 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1990-91 New York Jets, 1991-2001 Green Bay Packers
Although they have been nominees in previous years, this is the first time that Terrell Davis, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Polian, Mick Tingelhoff and Ron Wolf have been finalists.
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for election, modern-era players and coaches must have last played or coached more than five seasons ago. Since contributors need not be retired to be eligible, there is no specific year of eligibility for Polian or Wolf.
| Year of Eligibility | Finalists |
| 1st | Orlando Pace, Junior Seau, Kurt Warner |
| 2nd | Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison |
| 3rd | Morten Andersen, John Lynch |
| 4th | Will Shields |
| 5th | Jerome Bettis |
| 6th | Tim Brown |
| 9th | Terrell Davis |
| 11th | Kevin Greene, Charles Haley |
| 16th | Jimmy Johnson^ |
| 28th | Don Coryell^ |
| 32nd | Mick Tingelhoff |
^Although in 2007 the Hall of Fame By-Laws for selection were modified to provide that a coach must be retired five seasons to be eligible, both Coryell and Johnson first became eligible under the old rules that did not require the five-year waiting period. Thus, Coryell has been eligible since his retirement from coaching in 1986 making him eligible for 28 years. Johnson was eligible for one year between the Cowboys and the Dolphins plus ever since he retired after the 1999 season. Therefore, his total years of eligibility are 16.
CLASS OF 2015 FINALISTS
Kicker … 6-2, 218 … Michigan State… 1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings … 25 seasons, 382 games … Selected by Saints in 4th round (86th player overall) of 1982 draft … Began career in strike-shortened 1982 season … Scored more than 90 points in 22 seasons … Topped 100-point total 14 times in career … First 100-plus season, 1985, connected on 31 of 35 field goals, 27 extra point conversions, for 120 points, earning first of seven Pro Bowl selections … Also named All-Pro five times … After 13 years with Saints and ranking as team’s all-time leading scorer, joined the Falcons in 1995 … Became Falcons career scoring leader … Spectacular 1995 season, scored a career-high 122 points, including then NFL- record for most 50-yard field goals in season (8) … Dec. 10, 1995, became first kicker to convert three field goals of 50 yards or longer in single game … Set NFL records for career points (2,544), most field goals (565), games played (382) … His 40 field goals of 50-plus yards most in NFL history at retirement … Named to two NFL All-Decade Teams (1980s and 1990s) ... Converted 565 of 709 field goal attempts, 849 of 859 point-after-attempts … Led NFL in field goals, 1987 … Led NFC in scoring, 1992 and topped all conference kickers in most field goals in 1985, 1987, and 1995 …Born August 19, 1960 in Struer, Denmark.
Running Back … 5-11, 243 … Notre Dame … 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers … 13 seasons, 192 games … Selected by Rams in 1st round (10th player overall) of 1993 draft … Earned Rookie of Year honors ... Finished rookie season with seventh best rookie rushing total in league history... As rookie finished second in rushing yards and third in total yards from scrimmage ... First Rams rookie to rush for 1,000 yards since Eric Dickerson, 1983 … Rams leading rusher 1993-95 … Steelers leading rusher 1996-2001, 2003-04 … Steelers leader in total yards from scrimmage, 1996-2001 … His fifty 100-plus yard games ranks 1st in Steelers history … At time of retirement, his eight 1,000-plus yard seasons was tied for third-best in NFL history and his 13,662 ranked fifth all-time in career rushing yards … Ranked 19th all-time in combined net yards at time of retirement … Voted to Pro Bowl six times: 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005 … Named All-Pro in 1993 (AP, PFWA), 1996 (AP); All-Pro Second Team 1997 (AP); All- NFC 1993 (UPI, PW); All-AFC 1996 (UPI, PW), 1997 (PW) … Born February 16, 1972 in Detroit, Michigan.
Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner … 6-0, 195 … Notre Dame … 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers … 17 seasons, 255 games … Heisman Trophy Winner … Selected by Raiders in 1st round (6th player overall) of 1988 draft … As rookie led NFL in kickoff returns, return yards, and yards per return average … Led NFL in receptions, 1997 … Set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards … At time of retirement his 14,934 receiving yards were second-highest total in NFL history; 1,094 receptions were 3rd; and 100 touchdown catches were tied for 3rd … Also gained 190 rushing yards; 3,320 punt return yards, 3 fumble return yards; 1,235 kickoff return yards … Total of 19,682 combined net yards, 5th all-time at time of retirement … Scored 105 total touchdowns (100 receiving, 1 rushing, 3 punt returns, 1 kickoff return) … Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, 1989 and 1992 as kick returner, 1994 -98, 2000 and 2002 as a receiver … All-Pro choice as a kick returner, 1988 … All-Pro wide receiver, 1997 … Was named All-AFC as a kick returner, 1988, punt returner, 1991, and wide receiver, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 … Born July 22, 1966 in Dallas, Texas.
Head Coach … Washington … 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers … 14 seasons … Regular season record 111- 83-1 … Postseason record 3-6 … Overall record 114-89-1 … Took over Cardinals team that hadn’t won title of any kind since 1948 … After 4-9-1 inaugural season took team 10-4 record, playoffs … “Big Red” won NFC Eastern Divisional title 1974, 1975 … Named consensus NFL Coach of the Year, 1974 … Narrowly missed playoffs in 1976 despite finishing 10-4 … Record of 31-11, 1974-76 marked most successful three-year stretch in franchise’s history … Again inherited a team that hadn’t won title in many years when he took over as coach of Chargers four games into 1978 season … Installed new explosive offense soon labeled “Air Coryell” … Chargers led NFL in passing six straight seasons, amassed more than 24,000 yards from 1978 to 1983 … QB Dan Fouts blossomed to become first player in NFL history to record three straight 4,000-yard seasons … Coryell succeeded in turning Chargers into one of NFL’s elite teams … Captured three AFC Western Division titles (1979-1981) … Named AFC Coach of the Year in 1979 … Born October 17, 1924 in Seattle, Washington … Died July 1, 2010, at age of 85.
Running Back … 5-11, 206 … Long Beach State, Georgia … 1995-2001 Denver Broncos … 7 seasons, 78 games … Selected by Broncos in the sixth round, (196th player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft … Made big splash when he earned starting tailback position as rookie … Despite missing final two games of rookie campaign with hamstring tear, eclipsed 1,000-yard mark and added career-high 49 receptions for 367 yards ... In second year, gained 1,538 yards rushing, named Offensive Player of the Year ... Rushed for 1,750 yards and league-high 15 TDs in 1997 … In 1998 became fourth runner in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in season (2,008) and led NFL with 21 rushing TDs en route to Denver’s second straight Super Bowl title ... Set NFL playoff record seven straight 100-yard performances spanning 1997-98 postseasons ... Earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XXXII after rushing 157 yards, 3 TDs in victory over Packers ... Scored 8 rushing touchdowns in ’97 playoff run ... In 1998 playoffs, rushed for franchise postseason-record 199 yards against Dolphins in divisional playoff, 167 yards vs. Jets in the championship and 102 yards in Super Bowl XXXIII victory over Falcons … Devastating knee injury limited him to just 17 games over his final three seasons … Three-time All-Pro selection … Rushed for 7,607 yards, 60 TDs in just 78 career games … Added additional 1,280 yards on 169 career catches and five TD receptions … Selected to three Pro Bowls and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s … Born October 28, 1972 in San Diego California.
Head Coach … Minnesota …. 1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002- 08 Indianapolis Colts … 13 seasons … Assistant coach with Pittsburgh Steelers (1981-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1991), and Minnesota Vikings (1992-95) … Took over Bucs team in 1996 that had suffered 12 double-digit loss seasons in previous 13 years ... By second season, team finished 10-6 and earned playoff berth … Two seasons later, in 1999, Bucs posted 11-5 record and clinched franchise’s first divisional title since 1981 … After six seasons in Tampa Bay, that included four trips to the playoffs, Dungy was relieved of his duties, eight days after dismissal was hired by Indianapolis … During Dungy’s seven years as Indy’s head coach, Colts posted 12 or more wins in every season except his first when they finished 10-6 … Indianapolis claimed five divisional titles, advanced to the playoffs every year of Dungy’s tenure … Guided Colts to AFC South Division title (2006) and capped season with win over New England Patriots in AFC championship game and victory over Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI … First African American head coach ever to win a Super Bowl … Overall record as head coach, 148-79-0 … Posted .668 winning percentage in the regular season (139-69-0) ... Born October 6, 1955 in Jackson, Michigan.
Linebacker/Defensive End … 6-3, 247 … Auburn … 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers … 15 seasons, 228 games … Selected by Rams in 5th round (113th player overall) in 1985 draft ... Played primarily on special teams as rookie, only season he didn’t register a sack … Did not have any starts in second season, but played in all 16 games and managed seven sacks … Added 6.5 sacks in 1987 and by fourth season was bona fide pass rusher for Rams, registering career-high 16.5 sacks, including career-best 4.5 sacks in win over 49ers in season finale that clinched playoff spot for Rams … Following year matched his 16.5 sacks total … Had double-digit sack totals 10 times, second in record book at the time … Only time missed recording 10 sacks in any of last eight seasons was 1995 when he had team-leading nine sacks for Steelers … Named to Pro Bowl five times (once with the Rams, twice with Steelers and Panthers) … Selected first-team All-Pro, 1989 with Rams, 1994 with Pittsburgh and 1996 with Carolina… Captured league sack title twice, 1994 and 1996 … A member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1990s … Played in six conference championship games and one Super Bowl … Led team in sacks 11 times and amassed 160 total sacks, third all- time at time of retirement … Also had three safeties, 26 opponent fumble recoveries, and five interceptions … Born July 31, 1962 in New York, New York.
Defensive End/Linebacker … 6-5, 242 … James Madison … 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys … 12 seasons, 169 games … Selected by 49ers in 4th round (96th player overall) in 1986 draft … Only player in NFL history to play on five winning Super Bowl teams (XXIII, XXIV, XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) … Began career at linebacker and led 49ers in sacks in each of first six seasons … Recorded four double-digit sack totals with 49ers including 12 as rookie and career-high 16 in 1990 … Moved to defensive end after trade to Dallas … Added two more double-digit sack seasons, 1994, 1995 … Suffered serious back injury, limited to just five games, 1996 … Retired after undergoing surgery … After a two-year hiatus, signed with 49ers as backup defensive end for two playoff games in 1998 … In 1999 came back for final season, added three sacks to finish career with 100.5 … Twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1994), voted to five Pro Bowls, named All-Pro twice, once as linebacker, once as defensive end … Played in six NFC championship games over seven seasons … Starting at left outside linebacker in 49ers 1988, 1989, 1990 championship games; at right defensive end in Cowboys’ 1992, 1993, 1994 conference championships … Member of 10 division championship teams during his 12 seasons … Born January 6, 1964 in Gladys, Virginia.
Wide Receiver … 6-0, 181 … Syracuse … 1996-2008 Indianapolis Colts … 13 seasons, 190 games … Selected in 1st round (19th player overall) in 1996 … Colts obtained pick in trade with Falcons in exchange for QB Jeff George … Earned All-Rookie honors and led the Colts in receptions (64), receiving yards (836) and total touchdowns (8) … Had three-TD game against the Chiefs as a rookie … Matched that three-touchdown effort eight more times during career ... Breakout season in 1999 … Teamed with QB Peyton Manning, he racked up 115 receptions for league-leading 1,663 yards and 12 TDs … Had remarkable string of eight straight years with 1,000-plus yards receiving, 10 or more touchdowns … Best season may have been 2002 when he shattered NFL single-season record for receptions (143) and had career-high 1,722 yards and 11 TDs ... In 2004 tied career-high for touchdowns in season with 15 (he set the mark in 2001) ... Major factor in Colts’ march to Super Bowl XLI where team defeated Chicago Bears 29-17 … Member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s, retired following 2008 season with 1,102 career receptions, 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns ... Eight-time Pro Bowl selection … Finished second to Jerry Rice in league annals in career receptions, most consecutive games with a reception (190) and most career 100-yard games (59) ... Yardage total ranked him fourth all-time and career TDs (128) ninth on all-time list at time of his retirement ... A six-time All-Pro, eight-time All-AFC selection ... Born August 25, 1972 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Coach … Arkansas … 1989-1993 Dallas Cowboys, 1996-99 Miami Dolphins … Arrived in NFL after successful college coaching career that included national championship with University of Miami ... Coached five seasons with Cowboys and guided team to two Super Bowl championships ... Also coached Dolphins for four seasons and led team to playoffs in all but first year … Improved Cowboys from 1-15 in first season, to 7-9 in 1990 and returned to playoffs with 11-5 record in 1991 … Named NFL Coach of the Year in 1990 … Captured back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1992 and 1993, both times defeating the Buffalo Bills ... In 1992, Cowboys finished 13-3, most wins in team history and won the NFC East title, knocked off Eagles in divisional playoff, followed by win over 49ers in conference championship and claimed Super Bowl title with 52-17 drubbing of the Bills ... The following season, Cowboys entered playoffs as NFC’s top seed at 12-4, defeated the Packers and 49ers en route to Super Bowl XXVIII rematch and 30-13 victory over the Bills ... Johnson departed Cowboys with an overall record of 51-37 that included an impeccable 7-1 mark in playoffs ... After a two-year hiatus, he returned to NFL sidelines in 1996 as Dolphins General Manager/Head Coach ... After finishing 8-8 in first year, he registered three straight winning seasons and wild card berths ... The Dolphins finest season under Johnson came in 1998 when defense led league in fewest points allowed and finished 10-6 ... Born July 16, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas.
Safety … 6-2, 214 … Stanford … 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos … 15 seasons, 224 games … Selected by Bucs in the 3rd round (82nd player overall) of 1993 NFL Draft … Was vital addition to Bucs defense that soon dominated NFL … Earned permanent starting role in fourth pro season, racked up more than 100 tackles and tied career-high with three interceptions … From that point forward, was anchor of secondary on a defense that perennially ranked among NFL’s best ... Voted to first of nine Pro Bowl following 1997 season … Earned first-team All-Pro recognition three straight years (1999- 2001) … In 2002, was integral part of Buccaneers’ championship season capped with franchise’s first Super Bowl title … Contributed 96 tackles (50 solo), three interceptions, and 12 passes defensed as Bucs finished 12-4 ... In postseason added five tackles in divisional playoff, six tackles in championship game and one tackle and pass defensed in Super Bowl XXXVII victory ... Signed as free agent with Denver in 2004 … Played final four seasons of 15-year career in Denver ... Helped lead Broncos to conference championship game in second season … That year recorded career-high four sacks, intercepted two passes, forced four fumbles, and racked up 69 tackles ... Added three solo tackles, one assist, one pass defensed in 1995 AFC Championship Game ... In all, recorded 26 interceptions, returned for 204 yards, 13 sacks, and more than 1,000 tackles ... Credited with 90 or more tackles in a season nine times ... Born September 25, 1971 in Hinsdale, Illinois.
Tackle … 6-7, 320 … Ohio State …1997-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Chicago Bears … 13 seasons, 169 games … Selected by St. Louis in the first round (first player overall) of 1997 NFL Draft … Passed up senior year at Ohio State to enter NFL Draft … First offensive lineman selected first overall since 1968 … A mainstay on the Rams offensive line … Started all 16 games seven times during his 13- season career … Started 165 of 169 games played … Blocked for three straight NFL MVPs (QB Kurt Warner, 1999, 2001 and RB Marshall Faulk in 2000) … Anchored Rams offensive line that threw for more gross yards than any other team during his 12 seasons with team (50,770 in 12 seasons) … Rams’ offenses threw for more than 3,000 yards in each of his 12 seasons with team … Seven times a Rams QB eclipsed the 3,000-yard passing mark, including three surpassing 4,000-yards under his protection … Also blocked for seven 1,000-yard rushers … A seven-time Pro Bowl selection 2000-06) … A five-time All-Pro selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) … In 2001, capped off regular season Pro Bowl play by leading team to Super Bowl appearance … In 2000 anchored offensive line that helped offense produce most passing yards in NFL history … Born November 4, 1975 in Sandusky, Ohio.
Contributor … 1978-1982 Kansas City Chiefs, 1984-1992 Buffalo Bills, 1993-94 National Football League, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers, 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts … Spent 32 seasons in NFL during which time he earned reputation of building franchises into dominant playoff teams ... Most noted for turning fortunes of three different teams that resulted in combined five Super Bowls, Buffalo Bills (3) Indianapolis Colts (2) ... Began as a scout for Kansas City Chiefs … Took over as general manager of Bills, 1984 … Built team into powerhouse, leading to four straight AFC Eastern Division titles (1988 to 1991) including back-to-back 13-3 records in 1990, ‘91. Bills earned three straight Super Bowl berths after winning AFC championships, 1990-92 ... Worked in NFL office, 1993-94 as Vice President of Football Development before becoming general manager of expansion Carolina Panthers ... Led Carolina to NFC championship in just second season ... The ’96 Panthers knocked off Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game before falling to Packers in NFC championship ... In 1998, moved on to Indianapolis Colts as President/General Manager ... During tenure Colts experienced great success including eight division crowns and two Super Bowl appearances highlighted by victory in Super Bowl XLI ... With Polian at helm, Colts advanced to postseason 11 times during 12-season span and posted 10 or more wins in each of those playoff years … Led teams to eight championship games, Bills (4), Panthers (1) and Colts (3) ... First administrator to be named NFL’s Executive of the Year by The Sporting News six times ... Born December 8, 1942.
Linebacker … 6-3, 250 … Southern California … 1990-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-05 Miami Dolphins, 2006-09 New England Patriots … 20 seasons, 268 games … Selected by San Diego in 1st round (5th player overall) of 1990 NFL Draft … Started 15 of 16 games he played as a rookie, finished as team’s second-leading tackler … First-team All-Pro selection eight times … Selected to play in 12 Pro Bowls … Recorded 56.5 sacks during career … Intercepted 18 passes for 238 yards … Exemplified perseverance, leadership and a level of excellence that earned him national recognition as a premier linebacker … Recorded 10 or more tackles in a game 64 times … In 1994 helped lead Chargers to first and only Super Bowl appearance … Recorded 10 or more tackles in a game 10 times that year (eight in regular season and twice in playoffs), and recorded 155 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, forced a fumble and had three passes defensed … Was Chargers leading tackler eight times and led team in sacks twice (1996 and 1997) … Played in Super Bowl XLII with New England Patriots … Was Chargers MVP six times, NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s … Born January 19, 1969 in San Diego, California … Died May 2, 2012, at the age of 43.
Guard … 6-3, 320 … Nebraska … 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs … 14 seasons, 224 games … Selected by Chiefs in 3rd round (74th player overall) of 1993 draft … Placed into lineup in first NFL game after starting left guard suffered injury … Next week was inserted as starting right guard … Started every game from that point through retirement … Never missed a game during 14-season career, 224 games played, 223 starts are franchise records … As rookie helped Chiefs to an 11-5-0 mark and AFC Western Division crown, first division title for team since 1971 … Chiefs won four division titles and made six playoff appearances during Shields’ career … Earned 12 straight Pro Bowl berths … Named first-team All-Pro in 1999, 2002, and 2003, picked as second-team All-Pro four times … Was All-AFC seven times including each of final six seasons … Chiefs led NFL in total yards gained in 2004 and 2005 and topped AFC in that category in 2003 … Led NFL in points scored in 2002 and 2003 highlighted by running back Priest Holmes’ then-record 27 rushing touchdowns in ’03 … In 1994, Chiefs offensive line established a franchise record allowing a mere 19 sacks … A member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Joined Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas in 1999 as only active players named to Chiefs’ 40th Anniversary Team … Born September 15, 1971 in Fort Riley, Kansas.
Center … 6-2, 237 … Nebraska … 1962-1978 Minnesota Vikings … 17 seasons, 240 games … Originally signed by Minnesota Vikings as a free agent out of the University of Nebraska, earned a starting nod at center as rookie and never relinquished role for remainder of stellar 17-season career … Known for his durability, toughness, and perseverance he never missed a game or practice and started all 240 regular season games of career that ended after 1978 season ... Also played in 19 playoff games during his career …Anchored an offensive line that helped Vikings claim 10 divisional titles in an 11-season span from 1968 to 1978 ... Minnesota also won in four of five NFL/NFC championships in which they played and advanced to Super Bowl four times ... Excelled in era and a division in which middle linebackers like Hall of Famers Joe Schmidt, Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus dominated -- and center often had to get out and block them in space ... Tingelhoff also played at an All-Pro level when defensive tackles like Merlin Olsen and Bob Lilly were wreaking havoc … Received national accolades by third season (1964) with first of seven consecutive seasons in which he was named first-team All-Pro … Was elected to Pro Bowl six straight times (1965-1970) ... Was All-NFL or All- Pro-choice seven times (1964–1970) … Born May 22, 1940 in Lexington, Nebraska.
Quarterback … 6-2, 220 … Northern Iowa … 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals … 12 seasons, 124 games … Not drafted in the NFL … Originally signed by and then released by Green Bay Packers in 1994 … Went on to play in Arena Football League with Iowa Barnstormers (1995-97) … Returned to NFL with Rams as free agent and allocated to NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals … Returned to Rams in 1998 … Went on to become a two- time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001) and named Super Bowl XXXIV MVP after leading Rams to victory 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans … Set Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards … He recorded another MVP season two years later when he guided Rams back to the Super Bowl ... His season totals included a league-leading and career-high 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns to post a 101.4 passer rating … Warner made a third trek to the Super Bowl in 2008 season when he led Arizona Cardinals to franchise’s first division title since 1975 and first-ever Super Bowl appearance … Only quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three Super Bowls … A four-time Pro Bowl choice, led NFL in average gain per attempt, three times … Had highest passer rating and led NFL in TD passes twice.
Contributor … Oklahoma … 1963-1974, 1979-1989 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1966 American Football League, 1976-78 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1990-91 New York Jets, 1991-2001 Green Bay Packers … Began career as a scout for Raiders in 1963 … Recognized as one of finest personnel men in pro football … Made lasting mark as longtime player personnel director for Raiders and later as the Executive Vice President/General Manager of the Green Bay Packers ... Wolf spent 23 seasons helping build a Raiders franchise that posted winning seasons in all but six years during that span … Raiders claimed nine division titles, played in eight AFL/AFC championship games and three Super Bowls ... In 1966 when Raiders owner Al Davis was named Commissioner of American Football League, Wolf joined AFL as Coordinator of Talent … Returned with Davis to Raiders prior to start of 1966 season, remaining through 1974 coordinating club’s personnel operations … At age 37 named general manager of expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and built foundation that earned team trip to NFC championship by fourth season … Rejoined Raiders in 1979 heading up personnel operations until 1990 when he briefly joined the New York Jets … During 11 seasons as Executive VP/General Manager, turned Packers into dominant NFL Franchise, claiming three straight NFC Central Division titles and back-to- back Super Bowl appearances ... 1996 Packers posted first 16-win season in franchise history that included thrilling 35-21 win over New England in Super Bowl XXXI … Born December 30, 1938 in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
IF ELECTED … SPECIAL NOTES ON 2015 FINALISTS
THE ROSTER OF HALL OF FAME MEMBERS COULD INCREASE FOR 17 NFL TEAMS
List of finalists and Hall of Famers by team in which significant portion of career was spent.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (Chicago/St. Louis/Arizona) |
|
| 2015 Finalists | Don Coryell, Kurt Warner |
| HOFers (12) | Charles Bidwill, Jimmy Conzelman, Dan Dierdorf, John "Paddy" Driscoll, Dick "Night Train" Lane, Ollie Matson, Ernie Nevers, Jackie Smith, Charley Trippi, Roger Wehrli, Aeneas Williams, Larry Wilson |
ATLANTA FALCONS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Morten Andersen |
| HOFers (2) | Claude Humphrey, Deion Sanders |
BUFFALO BILLS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Bill Polian |
| HOFers (9) | Joe DeLamielleure, Jim Kelly, Marv Levy, Andre Reed, Billy Shaw, O.J. Simpson, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Jr. |
DALLAS COWBOYS |
|
| 2015 Finalists | Charles Haley, Jimmy Johnson |
| HOFers (14) | Troy Aikman, Larry Allen, Tony Dorsett, Bob Hayes, Michael Irvin, Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro, Deion Sanders, Tex Schramm, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach, Randy White, Rayfield Wright |
DENVER BRONCOS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Terrell Davis |
| HOFers (4) | John Elway, Floyd Little, Shannon Sharpe, Gary Zimmerman |
GREEN BAY PACKERS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Ron Wolf |
| HOFers (22) | Herb Adderley, Tony Canadeo, Willie Davis, Forrest Gregg, Arnie Herber, Clarke Hinkle, Paul Hornung, Cal Hubbard, Don Hutson, Henry Jordan, Earl "Curly" Lambeau, James Lofton, Vince Lombardi, John "Blood" McNally, Mike Michalske, Ray Nitschke, Jim Ringo, Dave Robinson, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Reggie White, Willie Wood |
INDIANAPOLIS (BALTIMORE) COLTS |
|
| 2015 Finalists | Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison, Bill Polian |
| HOFers (11) | Raymond Berry, Eric Dickerson, Art Donovan, Weeb Ewbank, Marshall Faulk, Ted Hendricks, John Mackey, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Jim Parker, Johnny Unitas |
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Will Shields |
| HOFers (10) | Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Curley Culp, Len Dawson, Lamar Hunt, Willie Lanier, Jan Stenerud, Hank Stram, Derrick Thomas, Emmitt Thomas |
MIAMI DOLPHINS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Jimmy Johnson |
| HOFers (9) | Nick Buoniconti, Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, Jim Langer, Larry Little, Dan Marino, Don Shula, Dwight Stephenson, Paul Warfield |
MINNESOTA VIKINGS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Mick Tingelhoff |
| HOFers (12) | Cris Carter, Chris Doleman, Carl Eller, Jim Finks, Bud Grant, Paul Krause, Randall McDaniel, Alan Page, John Randle, Fran Tarkenton, Ron Yary, Gary Zimmerman |
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Morten Andersen |
| HOFers (3) | Jim Finks, Rickey Jackson, Willie Roaf |
OAKLAND (LOS ANGELES) RAIDERS |
|
| 2015 Finalists | Tim Brown, Ron Wolf |
| HOFers (14) | Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Dave Casper, Al Davis, Ray Guy, Mike Haynes, Ted Hendricks, Howie Long, John Madden, Jim Otto, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw. |
PITTSBURGH STEELERS |
|
| 2015 Finalist | Jerome Bettis |
| HOFers (20) | Mel Blount, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Butler, Dermontti Dawson, Bill Dudley, Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, John Henry Johnson, Walt Kiesling, Jack Lambert, Bobby Layne, Chuck Noll, Art Rooney, Dan Rooney, John Stallworth, Ernie Stautner, Lynn Swann, Mike Webster, Rod Woodson |
ST. LOUIS (CLEVELAND/LOS ANGELES) RAMS |
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| 2015 Finalists | Kevin Greene, Orlando Pace, Kurt Warner |
| HOFers (15) | George Allen, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Tom Fears, Elroy Hirsch, Deacon Jones, Tom Mack, Ollie Matson, Merlin Olsen, Dan Reeves, Les Richter, Jackie Slater, Norm Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Jack Youngblood |
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS |
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| 2015 Finalists | Don Coryell, Junior Seau |
| HOFers (7) | Lance Alworth, Fred Dean, Dan Fouts, Sid Gillman, Charlie Joiner, Ron Mix, Kellen Winslow |
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS |
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| 2015 Finalist | Charles Haley |
| HOFers (13) | Fred Dean, Jimmy Johnson, Ronnie Lott, Hugh McElhenny, Joe Montana, Leo Nomellini, Joe Perry, Jerry Rice, Bob St. Clair, Y.A. Tittle, Bill Walsh, Dave Wilcox, Steve Young |
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS |
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| 2015 Finalist | Tony Dungy, John Lynch |
| HOFers (3) | Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Lee Roy Selmon |
THE POSITION ROSTER WILL CHANGE AFTER 2015 ELECTION
List of finalists and by modern-era position. Modern era is defined as a majority of an enshrinee’s career which occurred after 1946.
If elected …
QUARTERBACK |
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| 2015 Finalist | Kurt Warner |
| HOFers (23) | Troy Aikman, George Blanda (also PK), Terry Bradshaw, Len Dawson, John Elway, Dan Fouts, Otto Graham, Bob Griese, Sonny Jurgensen, Jim Kelly, Bobby Layne, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Warren Moon, Joe Namath, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, Y.A. Tittle, Johnny Unitas, Norm Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Steve Young |
RUNNING BACK |
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| 2015 Finalists | Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis |
| HOFers (29) | Marcus Allen, Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, Larry Csonka, Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Marshall Faulk, Frank Gifford, Franco Harris, Paul Hornung, John Henry Johnson, Leroy Kelly, Floyd Little, Curtis Martin, Ollie Matson, Hugh McElhenny, Lenny Moore, Marion Motley, Walter Payton, Joe Perry, John Riggins, Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, O.J. Simpson, Emmitt Smith, Jim Taylor, Thurman Thomas, Charley Trippi, Doak Walker |
WIDE RECEIVER |
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| 2015 Finalists | Tim Brown (also KR/PR), Marvin Harrison |
| HOFers (23) | Lance Alworth, Raymond Berry, Fred Biletnikoff, Cris Carter, Tom Fears, Bob Hayes, Elroy Hirsch (also HB), Michael Irvin, Charlie Joiner, Steve Largent, Dante Lavelli, James Lofton, Don Maynard, Tommy McDonald, Bobby Mitchell (also HB), Art Monk, Pete Pihos, Andre Reed, Jerry Rice, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, Charley Taylor (also HB), Paul Warfield |
CENTER |
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| 2015 Finalist | Mick Tingelhoff |
| HOFers (9) | Chuck Bednarik (also LB), Dermonti Dawson, Frank Gatski, Jim Langer, Bruce Matthews (also G-T), Jim Otto, Jim Ringo, Dwight Stephenson, Mike Webster |
GUARD |
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| 2015 Finalist | Will Shields |
| HOFers (14) | Larry Allen (also T), Joe DeLamielleure, Russ Grimm, John Hannah, Gene Hickerson, Stan Jones (also T-DT), Larry Little, Tom Mack, Bruce Matthews (also C-T), Randall McDaniel, Mike Munchak, Jim Parker (also T), Billy Shaw, Gene Upshaw |
TACKLE |
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| 2015 Finalist | Orlando Pace |
| HOFers (21) | Bob Brown, Roosevelt Brown, Lou Creekmur (also G), Dan Dierdorf, Forrest Gregg (also G), Lou Groza (also PK), Stan Jones (also G-DT), Walter Jones, Bruce Matthews (also G-C), Mike McCormack, Ron Mix, Anthony Mu?oz, Jonathan Ogden, Jim Parker (also G), Willie Roaf, Bob St. Clair, Art Shell, Jackie Slater, Rayfield Wright, Ron Yary, Gary Zimmerman |
LINEBACKER |
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| 2015 Finalists | Kevin Greene (also DE), Charles Haley, Junior Seau |
| HOFers (24) | Chuck Bednarik (also C) Bobby Bell (also DE), Derrick Brooks, Nick Buoniconti, Dick Butkus, Harry Carson, George Connor (also DT-T), Bill George, Jack Ham, Chris Hanburger, Ted Hendricks, Sam Huff, Rickey Jackson (also DE), Jack Lambert, Willie Lanier, Ray Nitschke, Les Richter, Dave Robinson, Joe Schmidt, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Andre Tippett, Dave Wilcox |
DEFENSIVE END |
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| 2015 Finalist | Charles Haley (also LB) |
| HOFers (19) | Doug Atkins, Elvin Bethea, Willie Davis, Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Chris Doleman (also LB), Carl Eller, Len Ford, Dan Hampton (also DT), Claude Humphrey, Deacon Jones, Howie Long, Gino Marchetti, Andy Robustelli, Lee Roy Selmon, Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan, Reggie White, Jack Youngblood |
SAFETY |
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| 2015 Finalist | John Lynch |
| HOFers (10) | Jack Christiansen, Ken Houston, Paul Krause, Yale Lary, Ronnie Lott (also CB), Mel Renfro (also CB), Emlen Tunnell, Larry Wilson, Willie Wood, Rod Woodson (also CB) |
KICKER |
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| 2015 Finalist | Morten Andersen |
| HOFers (1) | Jan Stenerud |
COACH |
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| 2015 Finalists | Don Coryell, Tony Dungy, Jimmy Johnson |
| HOFers (16) | George Allen, Paul Brown, Weeb Ewbank, Joe Gibbs, Sid Gillman, Bud Grant, George Halas, Tom Landry, Marv Levy, Vince Lombardi, John Madden, Chuck Noll, Bill Parcells, Don Shula, Hank Stram, Bill Walsh |
CONTRIBUTOR |
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| 2015 Finalists | Bill Polian, Ron Wolf |
| HOFers (19) | Bert Bell, Charles Bidwill, Joe Carr, Al Davis, Jim Finks, George Halas (also coach), Lamar Hunt, Curly Lambeau (also coach), Tim Mara, Wellington Mara, George Preston Marshall, Hugh "Shorty" Ray, Dan Reeves, Art Rooney, Dan Rooney, Pete Rozelle, Ed Sabol, Tex Schramm, Ralph Wilson, Jr. |
SELECTION MEETING AND ANNOUNCEMENT
The Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee Meeting will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in Phoenix, Arizona when the 46-person Selection Committee meets to elect the Class of 2015. For the second year, the Hall of Fame’s newest class of enshrinees will be announced and introduced during the “4th Annual NFL Honors” show, a primetime awards show airing nationally that night on NBC.
At the 2015 Selection Meeting, the selectors will thoroughly discuss the careers of each finalist. Although there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s current ground rules stipulate that between four and eight new members will be selected each year. No more than five modern-era finalists can be elected in a given year and thus a class of six, seven, or eight can only be achieved if the Senior finalist and/or one or both Contributor finalists are elected. Representatives of the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche will tabulate all votes during the meeting.
2015 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, a multi-day celebration of the enshrinement of the newest Hall of Fame Class, is held each year in Canton. The 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival culminates with the Enshrinement Ceremony and NFL/Hall of Fame Game.
Two major events complementing the Enshrinement Ceremony and NFL/Hall of Fame Game are the nationally televised (NFL Network) Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner (Friday, August 7), and the Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable (Sunday, August 9). It is at the Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner where each member of the Class of 2015 will be presented his Gold Jacket. At the Enshrinees GameDay Roundtable, the Class of 2015 will be featured center stage as they share memories of the game and their personal feelings about being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
More than 100 Gold Jackets (living Hall of Famers) return to the Hall of Fame each year to be a part of the Enshrinement Ceremony celebration. Nowhere else are fans able to see and interact with as many Hall of Famers in one place at one time as in Canton during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.
The Ice Bowl
Played at Lambeau Field on December 31, the temperature at game time registered a frigid 13 degrees below zero.
Panthers Attempt to Make Postseason History
The Carolina Panthers could make history with a win on Saturday. Find out how.