Coughlin, Shanahan, Kraft, and McCaskey Among Semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame 2024 Class
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 60 semifinalists for the 2024 class, including two-time winning Super Bowl coaches Tom Coughlin and Mike Shanahan, as well as team owners Robert Kraft and Virginia McCaskey. The list was narrowed down by the Hall’s Seniors Committee and the Coach/Contributor Committee.
The Seniors Committee trimmed the list of eligible player nominees to 31, with each semifinalist having played their last game in professional football no later than 1998. The Coach/Contributor Committee reduced the list of nominated candidates to 29 semifinalists.
Tom Coughlin, who coached the New York Giants from 2004-2015, led the team to Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots in 2007 and 2011. Mike Shanahan, on the other hand, led the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998. Shanahan boasts an impressive overall record of 178-144 with three teams, including a remarkable 46-10 mark from 1996-1998, which is an NFL record for wins in a three-year span.
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots since 1994, has seen his team win six Super Bowls under the leadership of coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Kraft’s ownership has been marked by tremendous success on the field.
Virginia McCaskey, who turned 100 on January 5th, became the principal owner of the Chicago Bears in 1983 following the death of her father, Hall of Famer George Halas. McCaskey has been a prominent figure in the NFL and has overseen the Bears’ operations for several decades.
Unlike last year when cornerback Darrelle Revis and offensive lineman Joe Thomas were selected for enshrinement in their first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame, none of the 31 players on this year’s list appear to be a lock for induction. The competition is fierce, and the selection committees will have a difficult task ahead of them.
The respective selection committees will now consider the candidates and vote to determine 12 finalists from each group. The results of those votes will be announced on July 27th. The Coach/Contributor Committee members will meet on August 15th to select one candidate for final consideration for next year’s Hall of Fame class. The Seniors Committee will meet on August 22nd and may select up to three candidates for final consideration.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the 2023 class is set to take place on August 3rd, with Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Ronde Barber, Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, Ken Riley, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, and Don Coryell being honored.
As football fans eagerly await the announcement of the 2024 class, the semifinalists can take pride in being recognized as some of the best in the history of the sport. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor that celebrates the achievements and contributions of those who have made a lasting impact on the game.