Hall of Fame Names Five 2027 Contributor Nominees

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has named five nominees for its 2027 contributor selection, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Washington quarterback Doug Williams. Ralph Hay, Virginia McCaskey and John Wooten are also on the list, selected from an original field of 42 nominees. The nominations do not mean any of the five has been elected. The Hall’s Contributor Subcommittee is scheduled to meet virtually on Nov. 17 and choose one candidate for consideration by the full Selection Committee. The other four will not advance to that stage through the contributor route. Kraft is a nominee for the second consecutive year. He advanced to the full selection meeting for the 2026 class but was not elected. He has owned the Patriots since 1994; during his ownership, the team has made 11 Super Bowl appearances and won six titles. Kraft has also served on NFL owners committees. Williams is being considered under a revised definition of the contributor category, which now allows the Hall to weigh playing and coaching careers alongside other contributions to football. Williams was Washington’s quarterback in its Super Bowl XXII victory after the 1987 season, throwing...