Former commissioner Tagliabue among newest set of inductees

made such a difference to the game. I think when you look back at his career, he brought it into the modern era and not only from a business standpoint. He understood how a community and the NFL have to operate together ultimately.”

Young, who also worked under Tagliabue in the league office, was a front-office executive for the Colts and Dolphins before joining — and turning around — a moribund Giants franchise. New York won two Super Bowls under his guidance.

“George is certainly very deserving of being in the Hall of Fame,” Giants co-owner John Mara said. “My only regret is that he’s not around to enjoy this. He took our organization from being in last place and not having a lot of respect around the league, to being a Super Bowl champion. He made every football department in our organization more professional. He changed the reputation and level of respect that our team had for the better.”

Harris was one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in the NFL, a major part of the Dallas defenses of the 1970s who made three All-pro teams and six Pro Bowls. He played in seven conference title games and five Super Bowls, winning two.

Speedie was part of the unstoppable Cleveland Browns offense in the AAFC and then in the NFL. As one of two primary targets for quarterback Otto Graham, along with Dante Lavelli — both already are in the hall — Speedie averaged 16.1 yards on 349 receptions and scored 32 touchdowns. Twice he gamed more than 1,000 yards receiving.

Another member of the Steel Curtain, safety Donnie Shell, made it as did fellow safety Bobby Dillon and defensive tackle Alex Karras. Shell is the 10th man from the Pittsburgh dynasty of the 1970s to be elected, and the fifth from the defense that dominated the NFL.

Also, Duke Slater, one of the NFL’S first black players, defensive standout Ed Sprinkle and NFL Films pioneer Steve Sabol were announced. So were wide receiver Harold Carmichael and offensive tackles Winston Hill and Jim Covert.

Over the weekend, the election of coaches Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson as part of the special class celebrating the NFL’S 100th season was revealed. Four more 2020 members are upcoming.

Shell had to be special to keep up with the likes of Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert on the Steel Curtain. A punishing hitter with terrific ball skills, Shell played 14 seasons, had 51 interceptions, made three All-pro teams and five Pro Bowls. He also won four Super Bowls.

“Don’t give up on your dreams and aspirations,” said Shell, who was an undrafted rookie in 1974 when he made the Steelers — and won a championship. “Some people have to work harder to make those gifts come out and I was one of those people.”

Dillon was a superb player on a bad team. He was with the Packers from 1952-59, retiring after Vince Lombardi’s first year as coach in Green Bay. Despite a childhood accident in which he lost an eye, Dillon was an NFL star. He made nine interceptions in a season three times and seven picks twice. Dillon picked off four passes in one game against Detroit on Thanksgiving Day 1953 and led the NFL in interception return yardage (244) in 1956.