2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists in Detail
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While fans are gearing up for the first round of the NFL playoffs, the Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed a list of 15 modern-era finalists on Thursday.
The Hall of Fame first announced a group of 103 modern-era nominees for consideration in mid-September before whittling the list down to 25 semifinalists just before Thanksgiving.
The list of finalists includes seven players on offense, six on defense and two head coaches. The group of players nominated for induction combined for 182 professional seasons, 108 Pro Bowl selections and 47 Associated Press 1st Team All-Pro honors.
Tony Gonzalez appears to be one of the few locks to make the Hall in this group. He is second all-time with 1,325 receptions, and he is sixth with 15,127 receiving yards. Both marks are the most among tight ends in NFL history, and his 111 touchdowns (eighth all-time) rank second to Antonio Gates with 117. The former Chief and Falcon made 14 Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro 10 times (six on the 1st Team).
Isaac Bruce finished with more than 1,000 catches and ranks just ahead of Gonzalez with 15,208 receiving yards. “The Reverend” finished with 91 touchdowns (12th all-time), and he was a crucial part of the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams team that won Super Bowl XXXIV.
Rounding out the skill position players is Edgerrin James, who ranks 13th all-time with 12,246 rushing yards. James made four Pro Bowls in 11 seasons and helped the Cardinals reach Super Bowl XLIII.
The offensive line candidates are led by Alan Faneca, a guard who played in the Pro Bowl nine times in 13 seasons, had six 1st Team All-Pro selections and was a member of a Steelers team that won Super Bowl XL.
That Steelers team defeated the Seahawks, which featured another finalist, Steve Hutchinson. The guard finished with seven Pro Bowls and five 1st Team All-Pro selections in 12 seasons.
Center Kevin Mawae starred with Seahawks, Titans and Jets for 16 seasons, making the Pro Bowl eight times.
The final nominee might have been the most talented of the group, but a shoulder injury ended Tony Boselli’s career after only seven seasons. The star left tackle was selected to five Pro Bowls and was the first pick of the 2002 expansion draft, but he retired before playing for the Texans.
The lone defensive lineman on the list is Richard Seymour, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, recorded 57½ career sacks and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
Another player fairly certain to get the nod from the Hall is Ed Reed. The free safety went to nine Pro Bowls in 12 seasons, ranks seventh all-time with 64 interceptions (including seven returned for touchdowns), and was a key player on the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XLVII.
Steve Atwater was selected to eight Pro Bowls in 11 seasons with the Broncos and Jets and helped Denver win back-to-back Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXIII).
Roland (Champ) Bailey also reached the grandest stage with the Broncos (a loss to the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII). In 15 seasons, the corner back went to the Pro Bowl 12 times and amassed 52 interceptions.
Tajuan (Ty) Law was a teammate of Seymour’s on those three Patriots championship teams in the early 2000s. He finished his career with 53 interceptions (with seven returned for scores) and went to five Pro Bowls.
The final modern-era player is John Lynch, known as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the game. Lynch was selected to nine Pro Bowls and helped the Buccaneers capture the crown in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Don Coryell was know for his high octane offense (the reason for his “Air Coryell” nickname), and he was the first coach to win more than 100 games at both the collegiate and professional levels. Coryell led the Cardinals to their only two division titles while in St. Louis and took the Chargers to three straight division titles.
Tom Flores is one of only two players (along with Mike Ditka) to win championships as a player, assistant coach and head coach. He was also the first minority coach to win a championship after leading the Raiders to wins in Super Bowls XV and XVIII.
Joining the modern-era players is Senior Finalist Johnny Robinson, who played 12 seasons with the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. The safety helped the Texans win an American Football League championship in 1962. After the franchised moved north, Robinson was a major part of the Chiefs defense that shut down the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
Robinson finished with 57 career interceptions, including a league-leading 10 in both 1966 and 1970. He went to seven Pro Bowls and was an All-AFL 1st Team selection five times.
The ballot also includes two Contributors Finalists: Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.
Bowlen has been the owner of the Broncos since 1984 and has led Denver to seven Super Bowl appearances (including wins in XXXII, XXXIII and 50). He had to step down as the team’s CEO in 2014 due to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Brandt served as the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Cowboys during Tom Landry’s tenure as head coach (1960-88). Under Brandt’s management, Dallas won Super Bowls VI and XII, and were the NFC representative five times in nine seasons. Brandt now contributes his insights to NFL.com as a senior analyst.
The final step in the process will be completed on February 2, the day before Super Bowl LIII, when the Hall of Fame’s 48-member Selection Committee will vote on the 18 finalists. Selection by 80 percent of committee members (39 votes) is needed for enshrinement, but Hall of Fame bylaws guarantee at least four (and up to eight) will be enshrined.
The Class of 2019 will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on August 3.
By Kevin Rakas