The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 60 semifinalists in the “Seniors” and “Coaches/Contributors” categories for the 2024 Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday. The Green Bay Packers had several former players and a former coach named to this list.
Most notably, former wide receiver Sterling Sharpe and tailback/defensive back/halfback Cecil Isbell are among the 31 semifinalists in the “Seniors” category, which consists of players who played their last game in professional football no later than the 1998 season.
Sharpe was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He led the NFL in receptions three times (1989, 1992, 1993), led the NFL in receiving touchdowns twice (1992, 1994), and led the NFL in receiving yards once (1992). In 1992, he completed the receiving triple crown by leading the NFL in all three categories. Unfortunately, Sharpe’s career was cut short by a neck injury. Over seven seasons, he averaged 85 catches, 1,162 yards, and 9.3 touchdowns per year.
Isbell played only five seasons in Green Bay (1938-42) but was named to four Pro Bowls. As a tailback — a position that required both rushing and throwing — he led the league in passing in 1941 and 1942 and once a threw touchdown pass in 23 consecutive games. Isbell also played defensive back and halfback for the Packers and helped them to an NFL Championship in 1939. He was named to the All-Decade Team of the 1930s.
Former Packers coach Mike Holmgren is a semifinalist in the “Coaches/Contributors” category. Holmgren won two Super Bowls as an assistant coach before winning three NFC titles and a Super Bowl (XXXI) as a head coach. Overall, he won 174 games as a head coach, including 13 playoff games. Holmgren was the Packers’ coach from 1992-98 and led the team to back-to-back Super Bowls. He helped develop future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and turn around the franchise overall. The Packers won 67 percent of games during Holmgren’s tenure. His teams captured eight total division crowns and made the playoffs 12 times.
Additionally, receiver Mark Clayton and defensive lineman Steve McMichael, who played for Green Bay toward the end of their careers, were also semifinalists. Last but not least, Eddie Kotal was named to the “Coaches/Contributors”category thanks to his long tenure as a scout for the Los Angeles Rams. Kotal played for the Packers in the 1920s and was a member of the 1929 NFL championship team before becoming an assistant coach in the 1940s.
By July 27, the committee will reduce the field to 12 “Seniors” and 12 “Coaches/Contributors.” In August, three finalists from “Seniors” and one “Coach/Contributor” will eventually be selected for final review.
