Every year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee names up to two finalists for consideration along with the 15 modern-era candidates. In many years, both of the Seniors Committee nominees end up getting in.
This year, the two Seniors Committee nominees are former Steelers cornerback Jack Butler (pictured) and former Redskins and Lions guard Dick Stanfel. Both were members of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1950s.
Stanfel was a nominee of the Seniors Committee in 1993. Bob Hayes was a nominee in 2004 and again in 2009, when he finally got enough votes for enshrinement.
There was some thought that former Packers offensive lineman Jerry Kramer, who was nominated by the Seniors Committee but not inducted in 1997, would be one of the two nominees this year.
The Seniors Committee has been responsible for the induction of men like John Madden, George Allen, Dick LeBeau, Hank Stram, and Fritz Pollard.