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Williams On Hall Of Fame List Being Trimmed Today

Former Bucs QB has a chance to make the cut to 25 semifinalists

Tribune file photo by JAY CONNER

Doug Williams (left) chats with Lee Roy Selmon, the Bucs' only member of the Hall of Fame, before a Tampa Bay training camp at the Wide World of Sports at Disney in July.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2008

Doug Williams could find himself a big step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame today.

The Bucs' 53-year-old personnel executive is one of 133 nominees for the Class of 2009, and that list will be whittled to 25 semifinalists today.

Another cutdown to the final 15 modern-era candidates will take place next month, leading up to the Jan. 31 announcement of the Class of 2009.

The list of 25 semifinalists is expected to be released by 6 p.m.

Williams was the first black quarterback to start a Super Bowl, earning MVP honors as he led Washington past Denver 42-10 on Jan. 31, 1988, by throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns. He was a first-round draft pick of the Bucs in 1978 and guided Tampa Bay to three playoff berths within a four-year span, beginning in 1979.

Other Class of 2009 candidates with Buc ties include linebacker Hardy Nickerson, a seven-year starter in the 1990s, guard Randall McDaniel (2000-01), tackle Lomas Brown, who played 11 games for the 2002 championship team, and punter Reggie Roby (1995).

Only modern-era candidates who advance to the list of 15 finalists are discussed in the room and voted on by the Hall of Fame panel on the day before the Super Bowl. A maximum of five modern-era players can be enshrined in any given year, along with up to two senior nominees.

Topping this year's group of first-time modern-era nominees are defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive back Rod Woodson and tight end Shannon Sharpe. The two senior candidates are wide receiver Bob Hayes and defensive end Claude Humphrey.

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