The Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame (PPFHOF) is a nonprofit organization established in 2010. The PPFHOF is dedicated to honoring the greatest players, coaches and staff members in Pittsburgh professional football history. It was founded in 2010 and inducted its first hall of fame class in 2011. The electorate is a broad cross section of former Pittsburgh Steelers (including players Dermontti Dawson, Levon Kirkland, Andy Russell, Chad Brown, Ernie Mills, Roy Jefferson, Lee Flowers, Leon Searcy, Reggie Harrison, and radio announcer Bill Hillgrove among others)[1] and researchers specializing in Steelers history.[2] The PPFHOF is the only hall of fame specifically dedicated to football in the city of Pittsburgh[3] and inducts athletes, coaches, and administrators,[3] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[6]
There have been five induction classes since the hall's inception, beginning in 2011 and continuing through 2015.[7]
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2011 Inaugural Class:
Coaches Administrators Scouts |
2012 Class: 2013 Class:
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2014 Class: 2015 Class: |
* = Also a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame[8]