Of the 25 semifinalists being considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 2006, just 8 are white players. Troy Aikman should be a cinch selection, but the others have been eligible for a number of years and look to be longshots.
Aikman will probably be joined by Warren Moon, Reggie White and Andre Reed, and possibly Derrick Thomas and Michael Irvin.
2005 may have been the last really good year for white players entering the Hall for many years to come (Steve Young and Dan Marino). After Aikman they are going to be few and far between.
The other white semifinalists besides Aikman:
Randy Gradishar, LB for Denver 1974-'83
Russ Grimm, offensive guard for Washington 1981-91
Ray Guy, punter for Oakland 1973-86 (still the dominant punter in NFL history by a wide margin)
Bob Kuechenberg, offensive guard, Miami 1970-84
Ken Stabler, QB for Oakland 1970-79, then five seasons with Houston and New Orleans
Roger Wehrli, CB St. Louis 1969-82 (a star right before white cornerbacks were banned from the NFL in perpetuity)
Gary Zimmerman, offensive tackle, Minnesota 1986-92, Denver 93-97Edited by: Don Wassall
Aikman will probably be joined by Warren Moon, Reggie White and Andre Reed, and possibly Derrick Thomas and Michael Irvin.
2005 may have been the last really good year for white players entering the Hall for many years to come (Steve Young and Dan Marino). After Aikman they are going to be few and far between.
The other white semifinalists besides Aikman:
Randy Gradishar, LB for Denver 1974-'83
Russ Grimm, offensive guard for Washington 1981-91
Ray Guy, punter for Oakland 1973-86 (still the dominant punter in NFL history by a wide margin)
Bob Kuechenberg, offensive guard, Miami 1970-84
Ken Stabler, QB for Oakland 1970-79, then five seasons with Houston and New Orleans
Roger Wehrli, CB St. Louis 1969-82 (a star right before white cornerbacks were banned from the NFL in perpetuity)
Gary Zimmerman, offensive tackle, Minnesota 1986-92, Denver 93-97Edited by: Don Wassall