Doug Williams is a contributor semifinalist

[JameisBrownston]

What did Williams do after his playing career? I'm not sure what his profile as a contributor even is.

[rewing84]

Was wondering why too james

[readjack]

What did Williams do after his playing career? I'm not sure what his profile as a contributor even is.

This is the description: "Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes."

Whether as a contributor or a senior, I'm good with this.

[Brian wolf]

I can understand Chris Berman easily over Doug Williams. Berman not only helped the popularity of the sport with his ESPN Sportscenter game highlights but also led the first primetime package of highlights that became must-see-television with NFL Primetime, which helped pre-empt not only ESPN Sunday Night Football but promoted other packages as well before NBC took over the package. Berman also helped popularize coverage of the NFL Draft which became a monster over the years. His work with NFL Films across different affiliates popularized the sport as well. A true ambassador. ESPN Sunday Countdown was so popular at one time, that the other broadcast networks hardly competed in terms of football stories, content and information.

Speaking of statistics and information, Siwoff was a pioneer in this field as well though he also profitted from it. This led to the unfortunate rise of fantasy football, which somehow tries to put the "I" in "team", and becomes another excuse to gamble on game-days.

[Sonny9]

What did Williams do after his playing career? I'm not sure what his profile as a contributor even is.

This is the description: "Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes."

Whether as a contributor or a senior, I'm good with this.

How did he create opportunities? Was he involved in some sort of mentorship?

[Ken Crippen]

What did Williams do after his playing career? I'm not sure what his profile as a contributor even is.

This is the description: "Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes."

Whether as a contributor or a senior, I'm good with this.

How did he create opportunities? Was he involved in some sort of mentorship?

Co-founded the Black College Football Hall of Fame, was an executive in the NFL, and worked with Marlin Briscoe and Shack Harris to mentor Black quarterbacks.

[Bryan]

honestly Bryan i have zero idea why robinson is on the ballot to begin with since he was mainly a college coach for many many years, also could i know why mccaskey is reprehensible could you explain to me why the other three Adams Berman Siwoff are also reprehensible

Bud Adams is one of the worst owners in NFL history and by all accounts a jerk.

Siwoff created the statistical Gestapo randomly called "the Elias Sports Bureau", which is the modern day equivalent of the Romans taking credit for Greek knowledge and then burning the library of Alexandria. A true antihero of research and knowledge.

I never bought into Berman's schtick (even when its wasn't "tired" yet), and I've heard he is terrible to work with, but maybe 'reprehensible' is too strong. Same with Virginia McCaskey. One of the least successful owners in NFL history who has constantly tried to alienate the fan base, but perhaps not 'reprehensible'.

[Bryan]

I get that "contributor" is a nebulous category, but some of the names on this list are ridiculous. What about just making it simple and include people who spent their lives contributing to the NFL? Pat Summerall, Jack Pardee, Buddy Young, etc?

[readjack]

Same with Virginia McCaskey. One of the least successful owners in NFL history who has constantly tried to alienate the fan base, but perhaps not 'reprehensible'.

For Mrs. McCaskey's 100th birthday last year, I struggled to sum up her legacy, which in a sense is her legacy:

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/ ... orge-halas

A wonderful woman by all accounts who everyone loves, but even this year's list of the 50 most powerful Chicagoans by Chicago Magazine did not include her.

[readjack]

I get that "contributor" is a nebulous category, but some of the names on this list are ridiculous. What about just making it simple and include people who spent their lives contributing to the NFL? Pat Summerall, Jack Pardee, Buddy Young, etc?

I love this idea!