Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

162 (!) Seniors have been nominated for the upcoming class of the Hall of Fame.

https://www.nfl.com/news/162-senior-pla ... ss-of-2026

That is definitely the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate of senior lists. Everyone is here and then some. Is this normal for a preliminary list?

The list was larger last year ... luckily they took off the worst cases but you have to make sure not to miss or omit those that are deserving. Gene Brito finally made it !!

Players That Made The List This Year But Not Last Year

Matheson
Putnam
Powell
Niland
Lloyd
BRITO
C Green
Robertson
A Woodson
Hadl
Blair
Perkins ... finally

Did I miss anyone? ... Still many that should have made the list

No Jim Benton?

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Sep 12, 2025 12:00 pm The list was larger last year ... luckily they took off the worst cases but you have to make sure not to miss or omit those that are deserving. Gene Brito finally made it !!

To the best of my recollection (which, granted, is not as good as it used to be) all of the initial candidates (like the HoVG) have to be nominated by someone.
There is no "they" involved... nominations can come from anyone who sends in a name to the Hall of Fame... fans, journalists, family members...
Correct?

There are probably some names "they" (presumably the HoF?) would prefer to not have to consider every year... like Jim Tyrer.

I had mailed in-ballot Brito before ... he didnt make it. Maybe the HOF lost my ballot? I also mail-ballotted Jim Benton. Who knows what they do?

I have also heard that despite mail-in voting, the HOF still can set whatever preliminary list they want. Its probably why Darren Sharper doesnt make one. If he has, I have missed it.*

*Edited ... the last list he made was 2017, I believe ... need to research further ...

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Sep 12, 2025 5:56 pm I had mailed in-ballot Brito before ... he didnt make it. Maybe the HOF lost my ballot? I also mail-ballotted Jim Benton. Who knows what they do?

As I understand it, Gene Brito was a good defensive end who was on some bad defenses in his career.

Also, out of curiosity, who would your top 50 on the list this year be?

Hunk Anderson would be a great nomination for the HoVG. I'm still waiting for someone to nominate Marty Schottenheimer.

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Sun Sep 14, 2025 2:59 am

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Fri Sep 12, 2025 5:56 pm I had mailed in-ballot Brito before ... he didnt make it. Maybe the HOF lost my ballot? I also mail-ballotted Jim Benton. Who knows what they do?

As I understand it, Gene Brito was a good defensive end who was on some bad defenses in his career.

Also, out of curiosity, who would your top 50 on the list this year be?

I probably wouldnt do a top 50 list, SeahawkFever, simply because it wont matter. Many of the names from the 25-30 semifinalist list will advance again. The committees will have to continue to advance the most deserving names but we all know that the voting members will go with recentism if they even consider a candidate. If they do, it could help out Ken Anderson, Craig, Hayes or Lewis.

I would be very happy if Dilweg, Lewellen, Wistert, Brito, Emerson, Conerly and Powell could advance again but we will see. As usual, Isbell will take the spot of one of these players.

I am hoping that Jake Scott can advance along with Dick Anderson this year. Neither will get voted in, but at least he is a more modern candidate that deserves to have his case heard over some that will advance to the final 9.