The centenary class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2020 has been revealed. This Wednesday morning (15) the Hall of Fame announced the 15 new members of the special class in celebration of the 100 NFL seasons after the blue ribbon committee selected them for induction. Ten players who wore their uniforms for the last time more than 25 seasons, two coaches who last trained more than five seasons and three employees were among those presented.
HoF will also announce the five players from the modern NFL era who will also be included as part of the Hall of Fame class of 2020. These players will be revealed on the eve of Super Bowl LIV and are among the 15 finalists announced announced on January 2.
Among the 15 names disclosed that are already part of the 2020 class are former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher, and former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson, who were revealed in advance last weekend as members of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Check out the other 13 announced members below:
Alex Karras, DT, Detroit Lions (1958-1962, 1964-1970) – One of the biggest players and personalities in the league, Karras was nominated for the All-Decade team of the 1960s. In addition, he was elected three times first-team All-Pro and four times Pro Bowler. After his career as a player, Alex Karras joined the cast of Monday Night Football as an analyst for three seasons and also gained fame for his roles in films such as “Blazing Saddles”, “Porky’s” and “Victor Victoria”.
Donnie Shell, S, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1987) – Shell is the tenth member of the Steelers of the 1970 season to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. With the Pittsburgh team, he was named first-team All-Pro three times, Pro Bowler five and won four Super Bowls. Donnie Shell also scored 51 interceptions – a record for strong safety.
Jim Covert, OT, Chicago Bears (1983-1990) – Twice on the first-team All-Pro and twice on the Pro Bowler, Covert made room for Walter Payton early in his career. He was a member of the famous Bears team that won the Super Bowl in 1985 and was named to the 1980s Hall of Fame first-team.
Winston Hill, OT, New York Jets (1963-1976) / Los Angeles Rams (1977) – Hill is a former AFL champion and has a Super Bowl ring. He has been nominated for the Pro Bowl on eight occasions.
Harold Carmichael, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (1971-1983) / Dallas Cowboys (1984) – As receiver of the Eagles, Carmichael still maintains the franchise records in receptions (589), yards (8,978) and air touchdowns (79). He was inducted into the Philadelphia franchise’s Hall of Fame in 1987. He also led the NFL in receptions and yards received during his third season in the league, in addition to being named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 1980.
Duke Slater, OT, Milwaukee Badgers (1922)/ Rock Island Independents (1922-25) / Chicago Cardinals (1926-1931) – Slater was the first African-American offensive lineman in the league. He has been nominated for the All-NFL team on four occasions.
Ed Sprinkle, DE/LB/WR, Chicago Bears (1944-1955) – A member of the 1940s All-Decade team, Sprinkle won an NFL title in 1946. The Chicago Bears franchise now boasts a record 30 players in the professional football Hall of Fame.
Bobby Dillon, S, Green Bay Packers (1952-1959) – Dillon still holds the team’s record for career interceptions at 52. He led the team in interceptions during seven of his eight seasons in the NFL. The defensive back was elected four times All-Pro and four times Pro Bowler.
Cliff Harris, S, Dallas Cowboys (1970-1979) – Harris appeared in five Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and won on two occasions. He was nominated for the Pro Bowl for six consecutive seasons, from 1974 until his retirement.
Mac Speedie, WR, Cleveland Browns (1946-1952) – Speedie was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 1940s. He led the league in receptions four times and in air yards on two occasions. He was also named All-Pro six times.
Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner, (1989-2006) – Tagliabue was NFL commissioner and led the league’s expansion from 28 to 32 teams. He replaced Pete Rozelle in the role of NFL leader and was responsible for building about 20 new stadiums and signing a $ 3.6 billion television contract for the league.
Steve Sabol, Administrator / President, NFL Films (1964-2012) – Sabol started as an administrator at NFL Films in 1964 before taking over from his father, Ed, as president in 1985. He remained in that role until 2012. During his time at NFL Films, he expressed several of the best football stories, winning over 40 Emmy Awards, in addition to being nominated for the American Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
George Young, Contribuidor/General Manager, Baltimore Colts (1968-1974) / Miami Dolphins (1975-78) / New York Giants (1979-1997) / NFL (1998-2001) – Executive of the Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants, Young won two Super Bowls as general manager of the Giants. He won the Executive of the Year award five times.
(Photo: Twitter reproduction / Pro Football Hall of Fame)
