Pro Football Hall of Fame Stuff

First of all, Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs and their wonderful fans. Second of all, it was fun to see the Chiefs dust off the football playbook and pull off something like the old Notre Dame Box to set up their first touchdown of the game.

The final piece of the giant 20-member 2020 Pro Football Hall of Class was revealed on Sunday. The Hall voters decided on the five Modern-era players that will be part of that giant Hall of Fame Class. While I don't agree with all that was done to insure that the Class numbered 20, I can't disagree with the 20 men that make up that number. I was surprised that Tony Boselli was forced to wait. Again. I was very disappointed that Lavvie Dilweg was denied what was his best, and probably last, opportunity. Despite those surprises/disappointments I can see/understand the Hall of Fame merits of all 20.

Congratulations to the 5 Modern-era Hall of Famers

Modern-era Players
Troy Polamalu
Steve Atwater
Steve Hutchinson
Isaac Bruce
Edgerrin James

For me, the star of the Modern-era players is Steve Hutchinson. The poison pill manner in which he joined the Minnesota Vikings was thrilling good fun. His play on the field from 2006-11 was even more fun. It's not often that an offensive lineman is considered the MVP of a team but Hutchinson was that for the Vikings in 2006. I knew then, and it was confirmed each following year, that he'd be honored in Canton one day. That day has come.

The above five will join the following "centennial" members to form the giant 20-member 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.

Players
Jim Covert
Winston Hill
Harold Carmichael
Duke Slater
Ed Sprinkle
Alex Karras
Bobby Dillon
Donnie Shell
Cliff Harris
Mac Speedie

Contributors
Steve Sabol
George Young
Paul Tagliabue

Coaches
Bill Cowher
Jimmy Johnson

The Modern-era Hall of Famers will be inducted during the celebratory weekend of August 6-9. There will be second event on the weekend of September 17 celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the NFL. I'm not sure how the induction of the "centennial" players, the contributors, and the coaches will be divided between the two events.The players had to wait so damn long that only four of the 10 are still alive. Jim Covert, Harold Carmichael, Donnie Shell, and Cliff Harris are the surviving new Hall of Fame players. Paul Tagliabue, Bill Cowher, and Jimmy Johnson were also still around to receive their call. The Pro Football Hall of Fame website states that some members of the Centennial Class will be on hand for the Modern-era inductions. Perhaps the coaches will be grouped with the Modern-era players. Who knows? I don't.

Hall of Fame voter Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune posted his final ballot in the paper this morning.

1. Steve Hutchinson
2. Edgerrin James
3. Troy Polamalu
4. Richard Seymour
5. Zach Thomas

Craig had Steve Atwater 7th and Isaac Bruce outside his top 10.

More Hall of Fame Fun:

Voter discussion times for each of the Modern-era finalists:
Sam Mills-24:43
Richard Seymour-16:43
Edgerrin James-23:45
Tory Holt-15:58
Zach Thomas-18:58
LeRoy Butler-11:51
Alan Faneca-9:20
Steve Atwater-19:54
Steve Hutchinson-21:35
Tony Boselli-35:49
Bryant Young-12:04
Troy Polamalu-13:09
John Lynch-27:25
Isaac Bruce-21:58
Reggie Wayne-11:42

Finalist Cut Lists:
1st Cut
LeRoy Butler
Torry Holt
Sam Mills
Reggie Wayne
Bryant Young

2nd Cut
Tony Boselli
Alan Faneca
John Lynch
Zach Thomas
Richard Seymour

Elected
Steve Atwater
Isaac Bruce
Steve Hutchinson
Edgerrin James
Troy Polamalu

Upcoming 1st-year Hall of Fame Eligibles
2021
Peyton Manning
Charles Woodson
Calvin Johnson
Jared Allen
-big year
2022
DeMarcus Ware
Devin Hester
Steve Smith Sr.
Robert Mathis
Andre Johnson
Vince Wilfork
Anquan Boldin
2023
Darrelle Revis
Joe Thomas
Dwight Freeney
Jahri Evans
2024
Rob Gronkowski
Antonio Gates
Julius Peppers
Haloti Ngata

Congratulations to all of the New Pro Football Hall of Famers! Welcome to Canton.