Those to be honored posthumously are Centennial Class of 2020 members:
Bobby Dillon
Winston Hill
Alex Karras
Steve Sabol
Duke Slater
Mac Speedie
Ed Sprinkle
George Young
And Class of 2021 member:
Bill Nunn
From the Pro Football Hall of Fame website:
The show will feature an exclusive video montage of each enshrinee and the unveiling of his Bronzed Bust in Canton. After the show, the families of each enshrinee will place the Bronzed Bust on display in the Hall of Fame Gallery inside the Museum. Many special guests and dignitaries, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, will be in attendance to honor these heroes of the game.
For what it’s worth, I’ve had evolving thoughts on the decision to recognize and honor nine of the 28 new Hall of Famers in this manner. Initially, I wasn’t a fan. Perhaps it’s my idealistic view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame but I’ve always felt that the members of each Class gain a special connection with their fellow members. A camaraderie. If the member is inducted posthumously, that connection is with the family of the inductee. Cris Carter will always have a special connection to Jonathan Ogden, Warren Sapp, Larry Allen, Curley Culp, Bill Parcells, and Dave Robinson. Randy Moss will always have a special connection Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins, Brian Urlacher, Terrell Owens, Robert Brazile, Jerry Kramer, and Bobby Beathard. Tony Gonzalez will always have a special connection with Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Johnny Robinson, Pat Bowlen, and Gill Brandt. I mention these three Hall of Fame Classes because those are the three inductions that I’ve attended. One thing that all three have in common is that all of the inductees were alive. Of course, Terrell Owens, being the baby that he is, threw a tantrum and had his own induction ceremony. Good thing as he’s the only member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that I wouldn’t mind not ever seeing in Canton. Anyway, initially I felt that a special celebration for the new members that have passed was breaking up their respective Classes. It didn’t feel right. It felt like an attempt to streamline this summer’s single weekend induction of 28 new members. That didn’t feel right either. Then I started thinking about it from another angle. Despite all of the best intentions, the inductees that aren’t present for their inductions are often overlooked a bit. The families are included and embraced but it’s different. This special celebration puts the inductees that have passed on the front of the stage rather than the back. Being able to place the Bronze bust on display should be a special experience for the families. I think that I’m becoming a fan of this special celebration. A person can change.
It’s still frustrating that some of these men didn’t live to experience their induction. Duke Slater would’ve had to be a member of one of the first two Classes but there’s an argument to be made that he should’ve been. He certainly should’ve been inducted before the 1960s closed. It’s ridiculous that he and his family have had to wait so long. Alex Karras should’ve been in the Hall of Fame long ago. While he was alive. Maybe Mac Speedie too. Steve Sabol’s life was taken way too soon but at least he lived to see his father inducted.
So, this isn’t really split inductions. The nine men will still be inducted with their respective Classes this August. This added event is just what the Hall of Fame is saying it is. A Special Celebration. It’s a celebration of nine men no longer with us. Some of them should’ve been celebrated long ago.
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