New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is among five finalists selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the contributor category, according to an announcement made Wednesday in Canton, Ohio.
The contributor category, which underwent a rule change this year to allow for the inclusion of former players and coaches, narrowed a field of 42 initial nominees down to the current five candidates. Along with Kraft, the list features Doug Williams, the first African American quarterback to start in a Super Bowl; the late Virginia McCaskey, former principal owner of the Chicago Bears; John Wooten, a long-time NFL executive and former player; and Ralph Hay, the former owner of the Canton Bulldogs.
Kraft, who has served as the owner of the Patriots since 1994, has overseen a period in which the franchise earned six Super Bowl titles and appeared in five additional championship games. His inclusion as a finalist places him alongside McCaskey, who led the Bears from 1983 until her passing in 2025 at age 102, and Hay, whose Canton, Ohio, car dealership hosted the inaugural meeting of the NFL.
The subcommittee responsible for these nominations will move forward with a candidate to be considered by the main selection committee early in 2027. The final selection group will ultimately be comprised of one contributor, one coach, and 13 players, a total of 15 candidates that will eventually be reduced to 10 and then seven. A 25-person selection committee will then cast votes, with an 80 percent approval threshold required for induction.
John Wooten, another finalist, brings a distinct perspective to the category through his dual history as a two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman and a three-decade career in personnel management for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens. Since 2003, Wooten has served as president of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an organization focused on advancing minority opportunities for coaching and executive roles within the league.
Doug Williams, also recognized for his contributions, was the MVP of Super Bowl XXII after throwing four touchdown passes in a 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. Following his playing career, which began as the 17th overall pick in the 1978 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams transitioned into executive roles with the Buccaneers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and most recently, a 13-season tenure with Washington.
The Hall of Fame process is expected to result in the induction of between three and seven new members annually, with five or six being the statistically likely outcome based on the required support levels. This selection cycle marks the first time candidates are being evaluated under the modified criteria that weigh both off-field contributions and prior on-field experience.
FAQ: Hall of Fame Selection Process
How are the finalists chosen?
The process began with a sub-committee reviewing 42 initial nominees before narrowing the field to the current five finalists. This subcommittee is tasked with choosing a single contributor candidate to advance for consideration by the full 25-person selection committee in early 2027.
What was the recent change to the contributor category?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame updated the definition of the contributor category this year. The change allows the committee to consider an individual’s past service as a player or coach, in addition to their contributions made away from the field.
How many people will be inducted in the next class?
According to the Hall of Fame, the voting structure is designed to result in the induction of between three and seven members each year. The process requires an 80 percent approval rating from the selection committee for any candidate to earn a spot in the Class of 2027.
The selection of these finalists follows the standard established by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the upcoming induction cycle, which will consolidate contributors, coaches, and players into a single, tiered evaluation process.
Related reading
