Former Falcons linebacker Tommy Nobis, offensive lineman Mike Kenn, wide receiver/returner Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, offensive lineman Chris Hinton, offensive lineman George Kunz and linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. were named semifinalists by the seniors committee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for consideration in the class of 2023 on Thursday.
Also, current Falcons president Rich McKay and former coach Dan Reeves, one of two coaches to lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl, were named semifinalists in the coach/contributor categories.
In all, 54 seniors, coaches and contributors were named semifinalists.
The Hall’s 12-person seniors committee trimmed a list of eligible nominees to 25 semifinalists who advance to the next round of consideration.
In addition to the Falcons, the other players were: Ken Anderson, Maxie Baughan, Mark Clayton, Roger Craig, LaVern Dilweg, Randy Gradishar, Lester Hayes, Chuck Howley, Cecil Isbell, Joe Jacoby, Joe Klecko, Bob Kuechenberg, Jim Marshall, Clay Matthews Jr., Eddie Meador, Stanley Morgan, Ken Riley, Sterling Sharpe, Otis Taylor and Everson Walls.
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Each player semifinalist played his last game in professional football no later than the 1996 season.
Separately from the seniors committee, the 12-person coach/contributor committee reduced the list of nominated candidates to 29 semifinalists who advance to the next round of consideration.
In addition to McKay and Reeves the coach/contributor lists includes: K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr., Roone Arledge, C.O. Brocato, Don Coryell, Otho Davis, Ralph Hay, Mike Holmgren, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Eddie Kotal, Robert Kraft, , John McVay, Art Modell, Clint Murchison Jr., Buddy Parker, Carl Peterson, Lee Remmel, Art Rooney Jr., Marty Schottenheimer, Jerry Seeman, Mike Shanahan, Clark Shaughnessy, Seymour Siwoff, Amy Trask, Jim Tunney, Jack Vainisi, Lloyd Wells and John Wooten.
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The respective selection committees now will consider the candidates and vote to send 12 seniors and 12 coach/contributors through to the finalists stage. The results of those reduction votes will be announced July 27.
The seniors committee will meet Aug. 16 to select up to three seniors for final consideration as members of the class of 2023. Expansion of the seniors pool for election to the Hall was approved earlier this year for the classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The coach/contributor committee members will meet Aug. 23 to select one coach or contributor for final consideration for the class of 2023.
Here are short bios on the Falcons who are semifinalists:
Chris Hinton: Guard/tackle (1983-1995)
Named to seven Pro Bowls and recognized as a two-time first-team All-Pro, Hinton played with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts (1983-89), Falcons (1990-93) and the Minnesota Vikings (1994-95).
Billie “White Shoes” Johnson: Wide receiver/kick returner/punt returner (1974-1980, 1982-88)
During his 14-year NFL career (Houston Oilers, 1974-1980; Atlanta Falcons, 1982-87; Washington Redskins, 1988), Johnson accumulated three Pro Bowl selections and is most famously known for his end-zone celebrations.
Mike Kenn: Tackle (1978-1994)
A former first-round draft pick, this University of Michigan product played his entire 17-year career with the Falcons and racked up five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro selections.
Bob Kuechenberg: Guard/tackle/center (1970-1983)
A member of the Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame and a six-time Pro Bowler, Kuechenberg spent the entirety of his 14-year career as a member of the Dolphins.
George Kunz: Tackle (1969-1978, 1980)
One of the premier offensive linemen of his generation. Kunz was named to the Pro Bowl seven times in his career and received three first-team All-Pro honors. He won Offensive Lineman of the Year in back-to-back years (1976, 1977). He played for the Falcons (1969-1974) and the Baltimore Colts (1975-1980).
Clay Matthews Jr.: Linebacker (1978-1996)
Matthews made four Pro Bowl appearances for the Cleveland Browns in the 1980s. He led the NFL in forced fumbles in 1983 and earned a place in the Browns’ Ring of Honor. He finished his career with the Falcons, where he became the oldest player to record a sack in NFL history at the age of 40 years, 282 days.
Tommy Nobis: Linebacker (1966-1976)
Nobis was the first player the expansion Falcons drafted and played his entire career in Atlanta. He won NFL Rookie of the Year, played in five Pro Bowls, was selected first-team All-Pro (1967) and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.
Sterling Sharpe: Wide receiver (1988-1994)
Sharpe made five Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro teams during his seven-year career with the Green Bay Packers. His 18 touchdown receptions in his final season is still good for third-best all-time.
Rich McKay: General Manager, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1994-2003; general manager, Atlanta Falcons, 2003-08; president/CEO, Atlanta Falcons, 2008-present.
Dan Reeves: Head coach of the Denver Broncos (1981-1992), New York Giants (1993-96) and the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003).
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