Pro Football Hall of Fame Class 2025 Finalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 could number as many as eight when they are inducted in Canton in August. There’s also a chance the Class could number as few as four. It’s a process. Five potential Hall of Famers moved a step closer in the process. The finalists in the Contributor, Coach, and Senior categories have been announced. 

Contributor Finalist

Ralph Hay

Ralph Hay’s contribution to the NFL was significant. One could argue that it’s the most significant contribution in the league’s 125-year history. As the owner of the Canton Bulldogs, he’s credited with calling a meeting of other professional football team owners. That meeting in his automobile showroom was the first step in the formation of the American Professional Football Association. The APFA became the NFL in 1922. It’s no stretch to say that the people present at that famed meeting on September 17, 1920 are the founding fathers of the NFL. The only attendees of that meeting with Hall of Fame busts are Jim Thorpe and George Halas. Thorpe had already established his Hall bona fides as a player. Halas was just starting his remarkable football life. It’s crazy that Hay’s singular contribution to professional football has been overlooked for 60 years. Some have argued that Hay’s contribution is recognized by the Hall’s Ralph Hay Pioneer Award. Let’s see, an award that’s been awarded sporadically (11 times) since 1972 or a beautiful bust. That’s silly. That can barely be considered a notice. The one problem with Ralph Hay’s selection as the Contributor Finalist is the Hall voters that now have a “yay” or “nay” say on his Hall of Fame future. There’s a significant number of voters that have closed the doors on any finalist that played, coached, or contributed before they were born. That’s a pathetic attitude for someone tasked with recognizing football’s past. Those people shouldn’t be in the room. Because they are in the room, I consider Hay a longshot. 

The other Contributor semifinalists in the Contributor category were K.S. “Bud” Adams, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams, and John Wooten.

Coach Finalist

Mike Holmgren

Mike Holmgren coached the Green Bay Packers back to Super Bowl glory. Then he took the Seattle Seahawks to their first Super Bowl a decade later. He won a lot of games with both franchises. He’s done enough for a bust. As long as Buddy Parker is still waiting for his deserved Hall of Fame recognition, I have a problem with pretty much any coach that zips past him. 

The other Coach semifinalists in the Coach category were Bill Arnsparger, Tom Coughlin, Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, and Clark Shaugnessy. 

Mike Holmgren is a fine choice but Clark Shaugnessy is the coach I’d pick from the nine semifinalists. 

Senior Finalists

Maxie Baughan

Sterling Sharpe

Jim Tyrer

If one is going to ignore players that played prior to 1960, all three of the above are fine choices. If it was up to me, the three finalists would’ve looked something like this:

Lavvie Dilweg

Verne Lewellen

Al Wistert

All three were among the very best players in the league, regardless of position. All three contributed greatly to championships. If any of the three had played their outstanding football careers in recent decades, they’d be inducted in their first year of eligibility. It’s insane that each is still waiting. At least, Wistert made it to the semifinalist stage this year. 

As for Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe, and Jim Tyrer. Each was among the best in the league at their respective position for the entirety of their career. I’m not sure what’s kept Baughan from getting much Hall traction over the years. Sharpe was on an early ballot Hall of Fame trajectory. He was one of the best receivers of his era. He was right there with Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Michael Irvin, and Andre Reed. Sharpe’s career was cut short by an injury. Then he was dumped in the “short-career” pile by lazy voters, pundits, and fans that rely solely on numbers to determine greatness. It’s not supposed to matter in the Hall of Fame process but Tyrer’s tragic post-career might be the reason he’s been waiting. His playing career was certainly Hall worthy.

The other Senior semifinalists were Ken Anderson, Lester Hayes, Bob Kuechenberg, Albert Lewis, Stanley Morgan, Al Wistert. 

The Modern-era Players are currently at the Semifinalist stage. The 25 that are still under consideration will have their numbers chopped to 15. The 15 finalists will be announced on December 28.