Wayne, Polamalu lead Hall finalists
Reggie Wayne and Troy Polamalu are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s modern-day 2020 class.
The former Colts receiver and Steelers safety are joined by five others who have never been finalists: Packers safety LeRoy Butler, Rams receiver Torry Holt, Panthers linebacker Sam Mills, Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas and 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young.
They are joined by past finalists consisting of Broncos/Jets safety Steve Atwater, Jaguars tackle Tony Boselli, Rams/49ers receiver Isaac Bruce, Steelers/ Jets/Cardinals guard Alan Faneca, Seahawks/Vikings/Titans guard Steve Hutchinson, Colts/ Cardinals/Seahawks running back Edgerrin James, Buccaneers/Broncos safety John Lynch and Patriots/Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour.
These 15 finalists, announced Thursday, will be considered for selection on Feb. 1 in Miami. A player must receiver 80 percent of votes from the selection committee. A maximum of five modern-day players can be chosen.
For the first time this year, the Hall of Fame also is adding 10 senior candidates, three contributors and two coaches to be inducted in the Canton, Ohio, shrine in August. That is a special selection in celebration of the NFL’s 100th season.
The class of 2020 will be introduced during NFL Honors, when The Associated Press announces its NFL individual awards winners, on the evening of Feb. 1 on Fox.
The entire 20-person class of 2020 will be on hand for the enshrinement week in Canton. Modern-era players along with contributors and coaches will be formally enshrined Aug. 8. The 10 seniors will have their own inductions the week of Sept. 16-19.
Wyche, former coach of Bengals, dies at 74
Sam Wyche, who pushed the boundaries as an offensive innovator with the Bengals, died Thursday. He was 74.
Wyche, who had a history of blood clots in his lungs and had a heart transplant in 2016 in Charlotte, N.C., died of melanoma, Bengals officials confirmed.
One of the Bengals’ original quarterbacks, Wyche was known for his offensive innovations as a coach. He led the Bengals to their second Super Bowl during the 1988 season by using a nohuddle offense that forced the league to change its substitution rules. Cincinnati lost to Joe Montana and San Francisco in that Super Bowl.
During his eight seasons in Cincinnati, Wyche’s teams went 61-66 in the regular season and 3-2 in the playoffs. His tenure ended with controversy after the 1991 season — owner Mike Brown announced that Wyche had quit during their end-of-the-season meeting, but Wyche insisted he was fired with two years left on his contract.
The Buccaneers hired him for the 1992 season and finished 5-11. Tampa Bay went 23-41 in his four seasons.