The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special Centennial Class of 2020 will be announced Jan. 15 but the 38 finalists for induction have been revealed. As per the HOF’s official web site release:
A special Blue-Ribbon Panel comprised of many members of the overall Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Hall of Famers, coaches, football executives and several leading historians has scrutinized the merits of nearly 300 candidates nominated for consideration as part of the Hall’s special Centennial Class of 2020. The finalists will be deliberated by the Blue-Ribbon Panel in January from which 10 Seniors, three (3) Contributors and two (2) Coaches will be elected to the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020. The remainder of the one-time 20-person Class of 2020 will include five Modern-Era Players who will be elected from 15 finalists by the full Selection Committee on “Selection Saturday,” the eve of Super Bowl LIV in Miami.
So, with that in mind, here are our next best guesses — former coaches turned analysts, Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson, have already been announced as in — for the sweet Centennial Class enshrinees.
Paul Tagliabue
After serving as a lawyer for the NFL, Tagliabue was selected by NFL owners to succeed Pete Rozelle as Commissioner in 1989 and served until 2006.
Roger Craig
Craig, a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers, was the first NFL player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
Cliff Branch
Branch was a small (5-foot-11) but speedy and dangerous receiver who won three championships with the Raiders.
Harold Carmichael
Carmichael used his 6-foot-8, athletic frame to simply outjump defenders and become one of the game’s most unstoppable targets (79 career TDs) in the ’70s.
George Young
As the general manager of the New York Giants from 1979 to 1997, he was named NFL Executive of the Year five times.
