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NFF Unveils 2027 Hall of Fame Ballot, 11 Steelers Named

6/2/2026

Summary

NFF Announces Ballot

The National Football Foundation announced the 2027 Hall of Fame ballot, naming 179 players and nine coaches, with over 12,000 members set to vote before the Honors Court selects inductees.
The ballot includes 11 former Steelers—Alan Faneca, David DeCastro and Heath Miller—Alabama’s Barrett Jones and DeMeco Ryans, Texas’s Colt McCoy and Casey Hampton, and Louisiana Tech’s Maxie Lambright, Matt Dunigan and Troy Edwards.
The class will be announced in 2027.

Summary

RGIII Hall Ballot

Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, was named to 2027 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.
He set 54 Baylor records and entered the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
Drafted No. 2 in 2012, Griffin earned a Pro Bowl nod and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
He graduated in political science in 2010, founded the RGIII Foundation, and works as a FOX Sports analyst.

Summary

NFF Sends Ballot

The Football Foundation (NFF) emailed the ballot to more than 12,000 members and Hall of Famers for voting.
Votes will be compiled and sent to the NFF Honors Court after ballots are returned by July 1.
The new class will be announced in early 2027.
The induction ceremony will occur at the 69th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas.
Schools will host campus salutes presented by Fidelity Investments during the 2027 season.

Summary

NFF Lowers Threshold

The National Football Foundation (NFF) lowered the coach-eligibility winning-percentage threshold from .600 to .595 in 2025, expanding the pool.
Mike Leach (.596, 158-107) and Jackie Sherrill (.592) become eligible and appear on the 2027 Hall of Fame coach ballot, their first appearances after the rule change.
NFF president Steve Hatchell said the adjustment reflects dialogue with sport leaders and lets the Hall recognize coaches whose impact exceeds a statistical bar.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the National Football Foundation altered its Hall of Fame coach eligibility rule, echoing a wider shift in sports governance that year when the Rugby World Cup returned to South Africa after apartheid bans. Both moves expanded recognition for athletes and coaches, establishing a pattern that later revisions continue to follow.

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NFF Announces Ballot

The National Football Foundation announced the 2027 Hall of Fame ballot, naming 179 players and nine coaches, with over 12,000 members set to vote before the Honors Court selects inductees.
The ballot includes 11 former Steelers—Alan Faneca, David DeCastro and Heath Miller—Alabama’s Barrett Jones and DeMeco Ryans, Texas’s Colt McCoy and Casey Hampton, and Louisiana Tech’s Maxie Lambright, Matt Dunigan and Troy Edwards.
The class will be announced in 2027.

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