A slew of gold coats and bronze busts have already been created in preparation for this year’s Hall of Fame ceremonies. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s Hall of Fame class will be celebrated this summer in Canton, Ohio. In addition, the 2021 induction class will also be introduced in August.
This year’s class, announced at Saturday night’s NFL Honors, features some of the most distinguished players in the history of the league. Included in this year’s introductory course are two primary voters: Peyton Manning and Calvin Johnson. Manning, Johnson and the rest of this year’s Hall of Fame class will be announced at Saturday’s NFL Honors show. The 2020 Hall of Fame class will be honored in Canton from August 5-8. The 2021 class will be honored from August 6-9.
Here’s a look at this year’s class, as well as the finalists who didn’t make the cut.
Hall of Fame Class of 2021
OL Alan Faneca (1998-2007): Faneca, nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro, was a key member of the Steelers Championship team in 2005. Faneca, a member of the NFL’s All-2000s squad, also played an integral role in the Jets’ AFC title game in 2009.
WR Calvin Johnson (2007-2015): “Megatron” was a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and member of the NFL’s All-2000s Team. A two-time receiving champion, Johnson’s 1,964 yards is the highest total in a single season in the history of the league.
QB Peyton Manning (1998-2015): The only five-time MVP in the league, Manning retired as the NFL’s first-ever career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. The first beginning quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises, Manning’s 55 touchdown passes in 2013 is still a one-season record.
DB John Lynch (1993-2007): Lynch was a five-time Pro Bowler and a strong safety, and was also a Pro Bowler in free safety during each of his four seasons. Lynch played a key role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl XXXVII victory.
DB Charles Woodson (1998-2015): Woodson, a former Heisman Trophy winner, includes Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, nine Pro Bowls, four All-Pro selections, and a member of the NFL’s All-2000s team. Woodson was also a major contributor to two Super Bowl teams, including Green Bay’s 2010 Super Bowl-winning team.
Senior Inductee: WR Drew Pearson (1973-1983): Pearson, a three-time All-Pro, is the only member of the NFL’s All-1970s team not yet committed to Canton. The recipient of the NFL’s first Hail Mary, Pearson helped the Cowboys to seven NFL Championship games, three NFC titles, and a Super Bowl XII win.
Contributor: Bill Nunn: Before being known as Steelers’ “Super Scout”, Nunn was a successful sportswriter and editor of The Pittsburgh Courier, one of the country’s most influential black publications. Nunn used his deep knowledge of historic Black College Football programs to create an annual Black College All-America Team.
In 1968, Nunn joined the Steelers as the team’s assistant human resources director. Nunn is credited with acquiring the Steelers players who would contribute to the team’s 1970s dynasty. Those players include Joe Greene, Mel Blount, LC Greenwood, Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, John Stallworth, Donnie Shell, Joe Gilliam and Frank Lewis. Nunn, who died in 2014, is one of the few members of the Steelers organization to have played a hand in each of the team’s six Super Bowl wins.
Coach: Tom Flores: Assistant to the Raiders’ first Super Bowl championship team, Flores was promoted to head coach following John Madden’s retirement after the 1978 season. In 1980, the Raiders became the first wild card team to win the Super Bowl after becoming the favorite Eagles in Super Bowl. XV. Three years later, Flores led the Raiders to another Super Bowl that was upset as the Raiders shocked Washington (the defending champions) in Super Bowl XVIII, 38-9. The first Latino quarterback in NFL history, Flores is also the first Latino head coach to win the Super Bowl. He is just one of only 12 head coaches with multiple Super Bowl wins, and only one of two coaches (Bill Belichick is the other) to beat two Super Bowl-winning coaches in the big game.
Missing the cut
THE Jared Allen (2004-2015): A five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Allen’s 136 career sacks are in 12th on the all-time list. Allen led the league in bags in 2007 and 2011.
DB Ronde Barber (1997-2012): The former Buccaneer is a member of the NFL’s All-2000s team. Barber, a key member of Tampa Bay’s first championship team, led the NFL at interceptions in 2001.
OL Tony Boselli (1995-2001): Boselli was a member of the NFL’s All-1990s team and was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. His presence helped the Jaguars achieve two AFC title games during the first five years of the franchise’s existence.
S Leroy Butler (1990-2001): The Packers’ versatile defensive back was a member of the NFL’s All-1990s Team. Butler, a four-time All-Pro and valued member of the Green Bay Championship team in 1996, counted 38 interceptions, 20.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and 10 fumbles.
WR Torry Holt (1999-2009): Holt helped the Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf win a Super Bowl during its rookie season. A seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL’s All-2000s Team, Holt led the NFL in 2000 and 2003.
LB Clay Matthews (1978-1996): Matthews, four-time Pro Bowler, recorded a whopping 1,595 tackles during his career. Matthews, who is also credited with 69.5 career sacks (individual sacks only became an official statistic in 1982), played a key role in a Browns team hitting three AFC title games over a four-year period.
LB Sam Mills (1986-1997): As a five-time Pro Bowler, Mills led the Saints to four playoff appearances from 1987-92. A member of the Panthers’ inaugural team, Mills anchored a Carolina defense that didn’t advance to the NFC title game until its second year of existence.
DL Richard Seymour (2001-2012): Seymour was a Pro Bowler in both defensive tackle and end, was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL’s All-2000s team. He played a key role in a Patriots team that won three Super Bowls over four years.
LB Zach Thomas (1996-2008): Thomas was a tacking machine who managed to score 1,734 tackles during his 13-year career. A key member of the talented Miami defense of the mid-90s, Thomas was a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, and member of the NFL’s All-2000s team.
WR Reggie Wayne (2001-2014): Wrongfully cast as the Robin for Marvin Harrison’s Batman, Wayne has carved his own niche in Indianapolis. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XLI champion and led the NFL in 2007. Wayne was the eighth receiver of all time when he retired and was the No. 1 receiver on the 2009 Colts AFC Championship Team.