There are two things that are almost guaranteed to happen when the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017 is announced Saturday night in Houston on the eve of Super Bowl LI.
First will be the uproar over who didn’t get voted in. That happens every year.
Next comes the speculation on the favorites for the Class of 2018 – either from the candidates who come up short this year, or players who’ll be eligible for the first time. Ray Lewis, Randy Moss and Brian Urlacher will be on the ballot next year.
Unlike last year, when guard Dick Stanfel from the Detroit Lions’ championship teams of the 1950s was voted in, none of the 18 finalists for induction this year has any connection to the Lions.