The Rams have two former players – Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce – who could be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, but an ex-coach could be on his way to Canton, too. The Hall of Fame announced finalists for the special Centennial Slate in 2020, and Dick Vermeil was among the coaches nominated.
The Centennial Slate is a new addition to the induction process, specifically to commemorate the NFL’s 100th season – which has been celebrated all year in 2019.
Vermeil is one of eight coaches nominated, but only two will make it to Canton after the Blue-Ribbon Panel votes on the candidates. The panel is made up of Hall of Famers, members of the selection committee, coaches, executives and football historians.
Two coaches, 10 senior players and three contributors will be inducted into the Hall of Fame from the finalists.
Here’s the full list of Centennial Slate finalists, which also features Winston Hill, who played one season with the Rams in 1977 (3 games).
Vermeil led the Rams to their only Super Bowl title in St. Louis, beating Jeff Fisher and the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. Vermeil only spent three years with the Rams from 1997-99, helping kick off the Greatest Show on Turf era of the franchise.
His other 12 years as a head coach were spent with the Eagles and Chiefs. His teams made the playoffs six times, finishing with a career record of 120-109.
