The contributor category recognizes "individuals who made outstanding contributions to professional football in capacities other than playing and coaching." Scouts, general managers, personnel executives, commissioners, and owners had long been on the wrong side of Hall of Fame votes when they were in direct competition with players and coaches. The Hall of Fame did something about that by creating the contributor category. It operates in the same manner as the senior category. Two contributors are nominated for odd-numbered years and one is nominated for even-numbered years. It's the reverse for the senior finalists.
Modern-era owners are benefiting greatly from the new arrangement as Jerry Jones and Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. have been honored in Canton that past two years. Pat Bowlen should make it three. The Broncos have seen tremendous on-field success during Bowlen's 34 years owning the team. The team has the best home winning percentage, 2nd-best overall winning percentage, seven Super Bowl appearances, and most importantly three Super Bowl titles.
It can be argued that Gil Brandt deserved Hall of Fame induction without benefit of the contributor category. Pretty much everything that we know about the draft evaluation process was developed or refined by Brandt. He was a scout for the Dallas Cowboys from the moment that the team was founded in 1960 to the moment that Jerry Jones bought the team and discarded everything that took place before him. Brandt pioneered the use of computers in the evaluation process, popularized the use of pschological tests, and helped in the formation of the scouting combine. Since his departure from the Cowboys he's remained involved with the scouting world on the media side at NFL.com. His contributions on the media side of the draft are some of the best out there.
Congratulations to Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.
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