The Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame (PPFHOF) is a

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

established in 2010. The PPFHOF is dedicated to honoring the greatest players, coaches and staff members in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

history. It was founded in 2010 and inducted its first

hall of fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

class in 2011. The electorate is a broad cross section of former

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...

(including players

Dermontti Dawson Dermontti Farra Dawson (born June 17, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was a center and long snapper in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football with the Kentucky Wildcats. He was drafted by t ...

Levon Kirkland Lorenzo Levon Kirkland (born February 17, 1969) is an American former football inside linebacker and coach. A second-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1992 NFL Draft, he played 11 years as a linebacker in the National Footba ...

, Andy Russell, Chad Brown,

Ernie Mills Ernest Lee Mills, III (born October 28, 1968) is an American former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the Universit ...

, Roy Jefferson, Lee Flowers,

Leon Searcy Leon Searcy (born December 21, 1969) is an American football coach and former player. He currently works as a radio personality in Jacksonville, Florida. Searcy is a former NFL offensive lineman who played primarily for the Pittsburgh Steelers a ...

, Reggie Harrison, and radio announcer

Bill Hillgrove William Thomas Hillgrove (born November 20, 1940) is an American sports broadcaster, radio personality, and sports journalist. Hillgrove is a notable broadcaster in his hometown of Pittsburgh, and has worked exclusively in that market. He is the ...

among others)Electorate
. Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-04-02. and researchers specializing in Steelers history.Home page
. Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-03-29. The PPFHOF is the only

specifically dedicated to football in the city of PittsburghAbout
Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-03-29. and inducts athletes,

coaches Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Coac ...

, and

administrators Administrator or admin may refer to: Job roles Computing and internet * Database administrator, a person who is responsible for the environmental aspects of a database * Forum administrator, one who oversees discussions on an Internet forum * N ...

, based on football achievements, off-field citizenship and other intangibles that made him/her valuable to the organization and/or community. Nominees from Pittsburgh teams in other professional leagues, including the USFL, Arena League, or any defunct or future leagues are also considered. The PPFHOF Steering Committee is engaged in ongoing discussions regarding the possible inclusion of college players and players from organized amateur leagues and the feasibility of establishing a brick-and-mortar hall of fame in Pittsburgh.Future Plans
. Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-04-01.

Voting procedures

Each year, the PPFHOF board selects approximately twenty candidates to appear on the annual ballot. Electors will vote for a maximum of four players and a maximum of three coaches, scouts or staffers. There is no minimum number of votes a candidate must receive to remain on the ballot in subsequent years. Final results are announced each year in March.Voting
. Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-03-29.

Criteria

A player becomes eligible for consideration immediately following his retirement or departure from the Steelers with no mandatory waiting period. Coaches and staff members become eligible after retirement or after 15 years of cumulative service. Each nominee is graded on football achievements, off-field citizenship and other intangibles that made him/her valuable to the organization and/or community.Hall of Fame Criteria
. Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-03-29.

Inductees

There have been five induction classes since the hall's inception, beginning in 2011 and continuing through 2015.Inductees
. Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
2011 Inaugural Class:
''Players''
*

Joe Greene Charles Edward Greene (born September 24, 1946), better known as "Mean" Joe Greene, is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1969 to 1 ...

* * Jack Lambert* *

Mel Blount Melvin Cornell Blount (born April 10, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) for fourteen seasons. A five-time Pro Bowler, he was inducted in ...

* *

Franco Harris Franco Harris (March 7, 1950 – December 20, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection ...

* *

Rod Woodson Roderick Kevin Woodson (born March 10, 1965) is an American former professional football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He is currently the Head Coach of the XFL's Vegas Vipers. Woodson was drafted in the ...

* *

Jack Ham Jack Raphael Ham Jr. (born December 23, 1948) is an American former professional football player who played as an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1971 to 1982. He is considered one of th ...

* *

Mike Webster Michael Lewis Webster (March 18, 1952September 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a membe ...

* *

Terry Bradshaw Terry Paxton Bradshaw (born September 2, 1948) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Since 1994, he has been a television sports analyst an ...

* *

Ernie Stautner Ernest Alfred Stautner (April 20, 1925 – February 16, 2006) was a German-American professional American football coach and defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also served as a coach for the Pittsburg ...

* ''Coaches''
*

Chuck Noll Chuck is a masculine given name or a nickname for Charles or Charlie. It may refer to: People Arts and entertainment * Chuck Alaimo, American saxophonist, leader of the Chuck Alaimo Quartet * Chuck Barris (1929–2017), American TV producer * ...

* *

Bill Cowher William Laird Cowher (born May 8, 1957) is an American sports analyst, former football player and coach. Following a six-year playing career as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL), he served as a head coach in the NFL for 15 se ...

* ''Administrators''
* Art Rooney, Sr.* *

Dan Rooney Daniel Milton Rooney (July 20, 1932 – April 13, 2017) was an American executive and diplomat best known for his association with the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team in the National Football League (NFL), and son of the Steelers ...

* ''Scouts''
*

Bill Nunn William Goldwyn Nunn III (October 20, 1953 – September 24, 2016) was an American actor known for his roles as Radio Raheem in Spike Lee's film ''Do the Right Thing'', Robbie Robertson in the Sam Raimi ''Spider-Man'' film trilogy and as Terre ...

* *

Dick Haley George Richard Haley, Jr. (born October 2, 1937) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the Universit ...

2012 Class:
''Players''

Hines Ward Hines Edward Ward Jr. (born March 8, 1976) is an American football coach and former wide receiver of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Georgia and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ...

Jerome Bettis Jerome Abram Bettis Sr. (born February 16, 1972) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed "the Bus" for his large size and runn ...

Alan Faneca Alan Joseph Faneca (; born December 7, 1976) is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University (LSU), and earned ...

John Stallworth Johnny Lee Stallworth (born July 15, 1952) is a former American football wide receiver who played 14 seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is considered to be one of the best wide receivers in NFL history. He pl ...

*
''Coach''
John Mitchell
''Administrator''
Joe Carr
''Scout''
Phil Kreidler 2013 Class:
''Players''
Andy Russell

L. C. Greenwood L. C. Henderson Greenwood (September 8, 1946September 29, 2013) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). College career Born and raised in Canton, Mi ...

Casey Hampton Casey Hampton Jr. (born September 3, 1977) is a former American football nose tackle who played twelve seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Texas, and receiv ...

Donnie Shell Donnie Shell (born August 26, 1952) is a former American Football strong safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League between 1974 and 1987. Shell was a member of the Steelers famed Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s. Shel ...

*
''Coach''

Dick LeBeau Charles Richard "Dick" LeBeau ( ; born September 9, 1937) is a former American football cornerback and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He was active with the NFL for 59 consecutive seasons, 14 as a player with the Detroit Lions and ...

*
''Administrator''
James Boston
''Scout''

Bob Schmitz Robert Joseph Schmitz (September 10, 1938 – June 8, 2004) was an American football linebacker who played professionally in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Schmitz graduated from New Holstein High School in New Holste ...

2014 Class:
''Players''

Lynn Swann Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former football player, broadcaster, politician, and athletic director, best known for his association with the University of Southern California and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served on the ...

Carnell Lake Carnell Augustino Lake (born July 15, 1967) is an American former professional football player and coach who is the defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL). He was a safety and cornerback in th ...

Greg Lloyd Gregory Lenard Lloyd Sr. (born May 26, 1965) is a former American football outside linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was named to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. College care ...

Jack Butler*
''Coach''

Dick Hoak Richard John Hoak (born December 8, 1939) is an American former football player and coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college for Penn State, and was selected by the Steelers in the seventh round ...

''Administrator''
Mary Regan
''Scout''

Tom Modrak Tom Modrak was an American football executive who was the general manager for the Philadelphia Eagles from May 1998 until his dismissal in May 2001, and was most recently the Vice President of College Scouting for the Buffalo Bills from 2001 befor ...

2015 Class:
''Players''

Rocky Bleier Robert Patrick "Rocky" Bleier ( , born March 5, 1946) is a former professional American football player. He was a National Football League (NFL) halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 and from 1970 to 1980. Origin of nickname Nicknamed "R ...

John Henry Johnson John Henry Johnson (November 24, 1929 – June 3, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a running back. He was known for his excellence at the fullback position as both a runner and a blocker. His first professional stint ...

Bobby Layne Robert Lawrence Layne (December 19, 1926 – December 1, 1986) was an American football quarterback who played for 15 seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Chicago Bears in 1948, the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the Detroit ...

Mike Wagner Michael Robert Wagner (born June 22, 1949) is a former professional football player, a safety for 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He won four Super Bowls as a member of the famed Steel Curtain defense. ...

''Pioneers''

John Brallier John Kinport "Sal" Brallier (December 12, 1876 – September 17, 1960) was one of the first professional American football players. He was nationally acknowledged as the first openly paid professional football player when he was given $10 to play f ...

Pudge Heffelfinger William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger (December 20, 1867 – April 2, 1954), also spelled Hafelfinger, was an American football player and coach. He is considered the first athlete to play American football professionally, having been paid to pl ...

Ray Kemp Raymond Howard Kemp (April 7, 1907 – March 26, 2002) was an American football player and a charter member of the Pittsburgh Pirates football team (now called the Pittsburgh Steelers). He was also the first African-American player in the team's ...

''Contributor''

Myron Cope Myron Sidney Kopelman (January 23, 1929 – February 27, 2008), known professionally as Myron Cope, was an American sports journalist, radio personality, and sportscaster. He is best known for being " the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers". Cope ...

''President's Award''

Henry Ford Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American industrialist, business magnate, founder of the Ford Motor Company, and chief developer of the assembly line technique of mass production. By creating the first automobile that mi ...

* = Also a member of the

Professional Football Hall of Fame The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for professional American football, located in Canton, Ohio. Opened on September 7, , the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of professional football, including players, coa ...

Pro Football Hall of Fame members
Pro Football Hall of Fame official website. Retrieved 2014-04-02.

References

{{Reflist

External links

PPFHOF official websitePPFHOF official Facebook page
> American football in Pittsburgh American football museums and halls of fame Halls of fame in Pennsylvania Non-profit organizations based in Pennsylvania Awards established in 2010 Sports organizations established in 2010 2010 establishments in Pennsylvania

Voting procedures

Criteria

Inductees

See also

References

External links