Which senior candidates will the Hall of Fame voters consider for 2014?

by Andy | Aug 7, 2013 | Hall of Fame

With the 2013 induction ceremony in the books, it’s time to start looking into who the 2014 class will include. The list of modern-era nominees is likely a ways off, but the senior committee will likely be announcing its pair of contenders sometime within the next few weeks.

The Pro Football Researchers Association, led by Ken Crippen, plans to promote four candidates:

Al Wistert, an offensive tackle who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1943 to 1951. Pro Football Reference lists him as a one-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First Team All-Pro on the Associated Press list. His overall resume is even more decorated when you take into accounts organizations like United Press International, Pro Football Illustrated and others.

Laverne “Lavvie” Dilweg, an end with the Milwaukee Badgers in 1926 and the Green Bay Packers from 1927 to 1934. Dilweg was an AP First Team All Pro five times and he graded out well compared with the best players of the era, including Don Hutson, according to a fact sheet published by the PFWA.

Frederick Wayman “Duke” Slater, a tackle who played 10 years of pro football after a stellar college career at the University of Iowa. He played for the Badgers in 1922 and then with Rock Island Independents from 1922 to 1926 and then joined the Chicago Cardinals in the NFL as one of just five black players in the league. He lasted in the NFL through 1931, often as the only African American player in the league. He participated in a game during which Ernie Nevers scored six touchdowns and achieved All-Pro status six times, though his playing days preceded the Associated Press list.

Mac Speedie, an end with Cleveland during a seven-year run from 1946 to 1952. Speedie was a two-time Pro Bowler and a three-time AP All Pro first teamer who led the league in catches four times in that span. (more…)