FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Rich McKay has advanced in the selection process for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The former Falcons general manager, president and current chief executive officer for the Atlanta Falcons and AMBSE is nominated in the Contributor category.
The Hall's Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee trimmed an original list of 47 nominees to 25 individuals this week, of which McKay is included. The next round of selections will be announced in about two weeks and will be trimmed down further to nine semifinalists.
Here is the list of the 25 remaining candidates in the Contributor category:
• K.S. "Bud" Adams: During his 54 years as founder, owner, chairman of the board, president and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams was a pivotal figure in the NFL.
• Roone Arledge: Television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.
• Chris Berman: One of America's most respected, popular, and in many ways, most beloved sportscasters.
• Howard Cosell: A member of ABC's original "Monday Night Football" broadcasting team, Cosell worked alongside football legends Don Meredith and Frank Gifford from 1970-1983.
• Otho Davis: Served as associate athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts in 1971 and the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973-1995.
• John Facenda: Beginning his career at NFL Films in 1965 until his death in 1984 at age 71, Facenda narrated numerous films and weekly highlights packages.
• Mike Giddings: Former player, coach and scout who created the NFL talent evaluation and analytics company called Proscout.
• Ralph Hay: Owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922 and hosted the NFL's formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.
• Frank "Bucko" Kilroy: Worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots' general manager from 1979-1982 and vice president from 1983-1993.
• Don Klosterman: Built successful teams in three leagues (Chargers, Chiefs and Oilers in the AFL; Colts and Rams of the NFL; and the L.A. Express in the USFL).
• Eddie Kotal: Scout for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947-1961 and was one of the first to scout Black colleges and universities.
• Robert Kraft: Owner, chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots from 1994 to present.
• Virginia McCaskey: Owner of the Chicago Bears from 1983 to present.
• Rich McKay: General manager, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1994-2003; general manager, Atlanta Falcons, 2003-2008; president/CEO, Atlanta Falcons, 2008 to present.
• John McVay: Joined the 49ers in 1979 as the team's director of player personnel and spent 21 seasons there, ultimately presiding over five Super Bowl-winning seasons as vice president/director of football operations.
• Art Modell: Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2011.
• Lee Remmel: A sportswriter and columnist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette for 29 years, Green Bay Packers director of public relations from 1974-2004 and Packers' historian from 2004-07.
• Eddie Robinson: Credited with sending dozens of players to the NFL as coach at the HBCU Grambling State.
• Art Rooney Jr.: Employed with the Pittsburgh Steelers since 1961; from 1964-1986, he worked in the Steelers' Scouting Department. Currently a Steelers vice president and member of the board of directors.
• Jerry Seeman: Worked as a line judge, head linesman, referee and director of officiating in a career spanning from 1975-2000.
• Seymour Siwoff: Owner and president of Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the NFL, from 1952-2019.
• Amy Trask: CEO of the Oakland Raiders from 1997-2013.
• Jim Tunney: NFL official from 1960-1991. Worked as a field judge from 1960-67 and a referee from 1968-1991.
• Doug Williams: Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes.
• John Wooten: Director of pro scouting for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975-1991. Created player development programs for the NFL in 1991. Vice president/player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992 and assistant director, pro/college scouting for the Baltimore Ravens until his retirement in 2002.
