Following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Hall of Fame Game, the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined into the hall in Canton, Ohio. Who are the bumper group of 20 inductees in the NFL’s 2020 Hall of Fame class, and when is the ceremony taking place?
Who is being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2020?
Five modern-era NFL players are being enshrined into the Hall of Fame as part of the group of 2020 inductees.
Edgerrin James, RB (1999-2009)
Edgerrin James burst into the NFL in 1999, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and leading the league in rushing yards in each of his first two seasons. He would finish his career as part of the 2000s All-Decade Team, with four All-Pro selections (two first-team and two second-team) and four Pro Bowl appearances.
Isaac Bruce, WR (1994-2009)
One of the all-time leaders in NFL receiving yards, Isaac Bruce is not as highly decorated in terms of NFL awards and All-Pro selections as his fellow 2020 Hall of Fame inductees. However, he won a Super Bowl ring (XXXIV), led the league in receiving yards in 1996, and was named a second-team All-Pro in 1999.
Steve Atwater, S (1989-1999)
Part of the 1990s All-Decade Team, Steve Atwater formed one of the hard-hittest safety duos of all time with Dennis Smith. Atwater finished his career with two straight Super Bowl rings (XXXII, XXXIII), two first-team All-Pro selections, and eight Pro Bowl appearances. The earliest to be drafted of the 2020 NFL Hall of Fame inductees, he has been waiting a long time for this moment.
Steve Hutchinson, G (2001-2012)
With five first-team All-Pro selections to his name, it is no surprise Steve Hutchinson was selected as part of the 2000s All-Decade Team. While offensive linemen rarely make headlines, Hutchinson did in 2006 when he switched from the Seahawks to Vikings. So controversial was his move that it led to a change in the rules regarding the NFL transition tag.
Troy Polamalu, S (2003-2014)
One of the leaders of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ incredible defensive group of the 2000s, Troy Polamalu is part of the 2000s All-Decade Team. During his career, Polamalu took home two Super Bowl rings (XL, XLIII), won Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, and was selected a first-team All-Pro four times.
Who will make up the 2020 Centennial Slate?
As part of the NFL Centennial celebrations, 15 former NFL players, contributors, and coaches will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as 2020 inductees.
Bill Cowher, Coach (1992-2006)
As the Steelers head coach for 15 years, Bill Cowher led Pittsburgh to a win in Super Bowl XL. He is part of a rich history of Steelers’ coaches stretching back over the past 50 years. Cowher led the Steelers to the playoffs 10 times in his 15 years in charge.
Jimmy Johnson, Coach (1989-1999)
Jimmy Johnson had a short and sweet reign as the Dallas Cowboys head coach. Despite leading the team for just five years, he led them to two Super Bowl victories. Over the course of his final three seasons in Dallas, Johnson had a 36-12 record in the regular season.
George Young, Contributor/General Manager (1968-2001)
The first of the contributor portion of the 2020 NFL Hall of Fame inductees, George Young was a crucial part of the rebuild of the New York Giants. He helped turn around a franchise that had not made the playoffs since 1963. During his time in New York (1978-1997), the team won two Super Bowls. Throughout his career, Young won the NFL Executive of the Year award five times.
Paul Tagliabue, NFL Commissioner (1989-2006)
Serving as commissioner of the NFL for 17 years, Paul Tagliabue has been instrumental in the league’s growth. His influence was so significant that he was named among Pro Football Network’s NFL Mount Rushmore. Under Tagliabue, the league expanded by four teams, the salary cap was introduced, and television deals exploded.
Steve Sabol, Administrator/President NFL Films (1964-2012)
The co-founder of NFL Films helped shape the way we view the NFL today. Sabol won more than 40 Emmy awards during his career and was important in founding the NFL Network. Sabol’s legacy in the NFL was so great that he was honored before every NFL game the following week when he passed away.
Alex Karras, DT (1958-1970)
Alex Karras is the first of the ex-NFL players listed for the 2020 Hall of Fame class. Named as part of the 1950s All-Decade Team, Karras was named to nine All-Pro teams during his career. A star in college, Karras’ game translated to the NFL, where he was a star for the Lions.
Bobby Dillon, S (1952-1959)
A star for the Packers in the 1950s, Bobby Dillon is the Packers’ all-time interceptions leader. The safety was selected as a first-team All-Pro four times in five years and went to four straight Pro Bowls. He did all of this while playing with a glass eye after losing one as a child in a car accident.
Cliff Harris, S (1970-1979)
Selected as a first-team All-Pro for four straight years, Cliff Harris is a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team. The Cowboys’ safety finished his career with two Super Bowls and six Pro Bowl appearances.
Donnie Shell, S (1974-1987)
A star for the Steelers for over a decade, Donnie Shell helped the team win four Super Bowls. On an individual level, Shell was selected as a first-team All-Pro three times and went to five Pro Bowls.
Duke Slater, T (1922-1931)
The oldest member of the 2020 NFL Hall of Fame inductees, Duke Slater will be inducted 55 years after his passing. During his career, Slater was a five-time first-team All-Pro and was selected a second-team All-Pro twice. While playing football, Slater earned his law degree. He would go on to become just the second African American judge in Chicago history.
Ed Sprinkle, DE/LB/E (1944-1955)
Named as one of the 100 greatest Bears of all time, Ed Sprinkle was selected to the 1940s All-Decade Team. While never named a first-team All-Pro, he was selected to the second-team twice and went to four Pro Bowls. He was part of the Bears’ NFL winning team in 1946.
Harold Carmichael, WR (1971-1984)
From 1973-1983, Harold Carmichael led all receivers in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. In 1973, he led the league in receptions and receiving yards on the way to his first second-team All-Pro selection. He was selected to the 1970s All-Decade Team and won the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1983.
Jim Covert, T (1983-1991)
Jim Covert is the youngest player among the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. Another member of the 100 greatest Bears of all time, he was named to the 1980s All-Decade Team. He received two first-team All-Pro selections and was part of the 1985 Super Bowl team.
Mac Speedie, E (1946-1952)
With honors in both the CFL and NFL, Mac Speedie is a true crossover member of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He led the AAFC in receptions four times, receiving yards twice, and was named a first-team All-Pro six times. Those performances earned Speedie a place on the 1940s All-Decade Team. He would then go on to be first-team All-WIFU twice in the CFL to end his career.
Winston Hill, T (1963-1977)
Winston Hill is part of a select group of players selected to an AFL All-Time Team. He was a Super Bowl champion with the Jets and three-time All-AFL. Additionally, Hill was named to three straight Pro Bowls between 1970 and 1973.
When is the Hall of Fame ceremony for the 2020 class?
After their ceremony was delayed a year, the former NFL players, coaches, and contributors that form the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees will have their moment in the spotlight on August 7, 2021. The ceremony will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.