Two Former Cardinals Named Senior/Coach Semifinalists for Hall of Fame

Two historic pieces to the Arizona Cardinals made the next cut to potentially enter Canton, OH.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a list of 60 semifinalists that qualify from the senior and coach/contributor categories for the Class of 2024 today - and two historic Arizona Cardinals made the cut.

"Sixty Seniors, Coaches and Contributors have moved one step closer to election as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024," read the release before going into the selection process.

"The Hall’s 12-person Seniors Committee trimmed a list of eligible nominees to 31 Semifinalists who advance to the next round of consideration. Each Semifinalist played his last game in professional football no later than the 1998 season.

"Separately, the Hall’s 12-person Coach/Contributor Committee reduced the list of nominated candidates to 29 Semifinalists who advance to the next round of consideration. Selection bylaws stipulate that both the Seniors Committee and Coach/Contributor Committee vote for 25 Semifinalists but also allows for additional candidates to proceed in the process in the case of a tie vote for the 25th position. That occurred in both fields this year.

"The respective selection committees now will consider the candidates and vote to send 12 Seniors and 12 Coach/Contributors through to the next stage. The results of those reduction votes will be announced July 27. Coach/Contributor Committee members will meet Aug. 15 to select one Coach or Contributor for final consideration for the Class of 2024."

The two Cardinals in contention are former RB Ottis Anderson and former coach Buddy Parker. 

Ottis Anderson (running back,1979-1992): Split 14 seasons between the St. Louis Cardinals (1979-1986) and New York Giants (1986-1992). Two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time 1,000-yard rusher.

Buddy Parker: Head coach of the Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1964). Overall NFL record of 107-76-9 and winner of back-to-back NFL titles with the Lions in 1952 and 1953.