It could be the year of the quarterback for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2017, all while the era of the quarterback is happening in the NFL of today. That’s because the names of some of the best quarterbacks of the last couple of generations are on the list of nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
We’re talking names like Randall Cunningham, Steve McNair, Drew Bledsoe, Donovan McNabb, Phil Simms and 2016 finalist Kurt Warner.
Overall, there are 94 nominees for the class of 2017, of which the list will be narrowed down to 25 semi-finalists for the Modern-era committee to then give 15 finalists for the full selection committee to consider on the eve of the Super Bowl.
Quarterback isn’t the only position with intriguing names, and along with McNabb, there are some first-time nominees who will have to be in serious consideration to make it. That list includes running back LaDainian Tomlinson, wide receiver Hines Ward and defensive end Jason Taylor.
This year's first-time eligible nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame are 🔥 🔥 🔥. pic.twitter.com/QCOSdSS6if
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2016
Running back is also loaded with names like 2016 finalist Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Edgerrin James (also a 2016 finalist) and Herschel Walker.
A total of 10 finalists from last season return as nominees for the 2017 class, but there is one name that is certainly controversial in his inclusion on this list — safety Darren Sharper.
There’s little doubting his ability on the field and his contributions to the position as a member of the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints. But, he also was just recently convicted of some pretty horrific crimes.
Will voters put him through or exclude him from the list because of that recent past?
Needless to say, some of the games biggest names from the 2000’s are likely to have their names called to the Hall of Fame this year or soon after. So, as much fun as the 2016 induction ceremony was with Brett Favre and all, this group could be even more entertaining for the younger NFL generation to watch go in to the Hall of Fame.
[NFL.com]
