The first week of August officially brings the world back to football. And that includes an annual historic ceremony known as the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement. Here’s details of the 2023 gala.
How To Watch the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2023 Enshrinement
- Start Time: Noon ET, Aug. 5, 2023
- Channels: NFL Network, ESPN
- Live Stream Options: fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, NFL App, ESPN App
- Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
Fans who tune in will watch nine new members receive their long-awaited gold jackets and unveil their Hall of Fame bronze busts in front of the crowds at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony.
Beforehand, each Hall of Fame member will have someone of their choosing to induct them. Some players have chosen family members, former coaches, executives, or past teammates.
Each bust will be behind a veil. After the veil is slowly removed, every member (or for deceased inductees, a family member speaking on their behalf) then gives a speech thanking the committee and many who helped forge their path into the league’s pedestal of individual excellence in honoring their accomplishments.
What Is the Process in Selecting the Hall of Fame Class?
One media representative from each of the 32 NFL cities has a say in the selection process. That includes two in Los Angeles and New York, with both cities having two franchises.
There is additionally one representative from the Pro Football Writers of America involved in the process to select the next Hall of Fame class. Four to eight new members can be voted for enshrinement for every season per the current rules for enshrinement.
However, the Pro Football Hall of Fame website states that fans also have a say in selecting a new member of the Hall class with one caveat: That player must be retired for five seasons to be in the process of being inducted.
The site also states:
“Each year, the Selection Committee will be polled three times before the final list of Modern-Era Player Nominees is determined. That Initial Preliminary List of nominations is compiled and sent to the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee by March 1. The list is provided so the Selectors can study the nominees and request the addition of any other candidates who might have been overlooked. Included on this list are first-time eligible candidates who have strong enough credentials to give them even a remote chance of eventual Hall of Fame election.”
From there, the second preliminary list is sent over to the selectors for review in July. The third list goes to the selectors in September. At that time, the selection committee is asked to vote for 25 player nominees from the modern era in order to determine the semifinalists for the class. The final preliminary lists are set for November.
Then, in January, the official class members get “the knock” that indicates they’ve been selected for the next Hall of Fame class. Those inductees are then named and honored during the annual NFL Honors award show.
How Does the Senior Process Work?
Older players can get in through this process. For players whose careers ended 25 years ago, there is a committee for the senior selection — which is a 12-member group.
It’s a different process for coaches. Like modern-era players, they must complete five seasons of retirement to become eligible.
Lastly, for both senior selections, coaches, and modern-era options, they must receive at least 80% of the votes to officially solidify their case for enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
What Else Is Part of the Enshrinement Week?
The ceremony isn’t complete without a football game.
This year, the New York Jets will face the Cleveland Browns to help kick off the season. Also included in the enshrinement festivities, the league chooses the teams that have a Hall of Fame finalist being represented. In this case, the Jets have Joe Klecko and Darrelle Revis. The Browns, meanwhile, have Joe Thomas.
The Hall of Fame Game will air on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET Thursday.
