Centennial Class Predictions

In celebration of 100 years of APFA/NFL football as many as 20 players/coaches/contributors will make up a special 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. The Centennial Class will break down like this:

5 modern era players
10 senior players
3 contributors
2 coaches

I'll probably be doing a bunch of these predictions by the time this "giant" Centennial Hall of Fame Class is announced. For now, this is the Class that I have.

Modern Era
Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers
Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers
Tony Boselli, OT, Jaguars
Steve Hutchinson, OG, Seahawks, Vikings, Titans
Steve Atwater, S, Broncos, Jets

I'd like to see the honor of being a first-ballot inductee limited to players that were truly special. Troy Polamalu and Patrick Willis were two of the best, most fun players I've ever watched play their positions. That strikes me as special. Tony Boselli and Steve Hutchinson were among the best at their positions at the time that they played. In the case of Boselli, he was among the best at his position at a time when players like Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, and Orlando Pace played it. The voters have finally started getting deserving safeties into the Hall. That continues with Steve Atwater.

Senior Players
Duke Slater, T, Badgers, Independents, Cardinals
Lavvie Dilweg, E, Badgers, Packers
Ox Emerson, G/C/LB, Spartans, Lions, Dodgers
Al Wistert, T, Eagles
Mac Speedie, E, Browns
Alex Karras, DT, Lions
Cliff Harris, S, Cowboys
Drew Pearson, WR, Cowboys
Cliff Branch, WR, Raiders
Randy Gradishar, LB, Broncos

When talking heads honk about the players that should be a part of the Centennial Class they start with players that played in the 1970s. If the voters also focus on those players the purpose for the Centennial Class will have eluded them. Too many people think that the NFL started with the first Super Bowl. Nearly half of the NFL's existence came before that game. If Duke Slater, Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, Mac Speedie, Al Wistert, and Alex Karras aren't part of the Centennial Class what's the point of celebrating all 100 years. The voters clearly aren't. If those players don't make the Hall in this Class they never will. Slater, Dilweg, and Wistert should've made it long ago.

Contributors
Ralph Hay, Canton Bulldogs Owner, co-founder of the APFA/NFL
Steve Sabol, NFL Films
Eddie Kotal, Scout/Coach, Packers, Rams

One would think that the man that called and hosted the meeting that started the APFA/NFL and owned the most dominant team of the new league's first five years would already be in the Hall. Ralph Hay did all of that in Canton. He really should be honored there. Nothing really needs to be said on Steve Sabol's behalf. He's a Hall of Famer. There are a few scouts/personnel men that are deserving but I'm going with arguably the first scout with Eddie Kotal.

Coaches
Buddy Parker, Cardinals, Lions, Steelers
Don Coryell, Cardinals, Chargers

There are a few coaches that deserve consideration. Buddy Parker, Don Coryell, Postsy Clark, Tom Flores, and Jimmy Johnson come to mind. Today, I'm going with Parker and Coryell.