Pro Football Hall of Fame could add category for ‘contributors’

The popularity of the NFL speaks to the testament of the hard work of those involved in the league both on and off the field. The contributions of someone like the late Steve Sabol, who served for years as the President of NFL Films, broadened interest in the league through his hard work in television and video. While Sabol has found his place of honor in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his contemporaries have had a difficult time since they are currently forced to compete against players. That might not be the case in the near future.

According to NFL’s Gregg Rosenthal, the league is considering a special category of “contributor” for future Hall of Fame votes, to keep such figures from being forced to compete with players.

“At our board meeting today, we’re going to take up a very special amendment that we’ve worked through with our Selectors and our Selector’s Committee to work on the Contributors category,” Baker said. “... So much like our Senior Committee, we’re going to nominate Contributors separately should the amendment pass this afternoon. And the details about it will be forthcoming afterwards. But it will give a lot of these owners, former commissioners and general managers an opportunity to have a level playing field themselves.”

With so many front office personnel, executives, commissioners, media figures and the like working to expand the NFL’s footprint over the last few decades, it makes sense to create a special channel for their potential inclusion into Canton.

Rosenthal said the current method of voting for seniors would also apply to contributors, meaning that a candidate would need 80 percent of the vote in a simple yes or no format. A limit of a single contributor could be enshrined each year. In addition, Rosenthal said ex-coaches are likely not going to be allowed to be considered in the new category, if created.