Johnny Robinson Selected as Finalist for Hall of Fame's Class of 2019
Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Johnny Robinson was selected as the Seniors Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019. Robinson was picked by the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee who met at the Hall of Fame in Canton today.
Robinson, who was drafted in the first round of the American Football League draft by the Dallas Texans (who later became the Kansas City Chiefs) and third overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, played 12 seasons from 1960 to 1971.
“I’m thrilled. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have been selected,” Robinson shared after he learned the news from Hall of Fame President David Baker.
The LSU product began his pro career as a running back until he switched to safety in his third season. It was at that position that he left an indelible mark on the game as he recorded 57 interceptions over a ten-year span. Twice he picked off 10 passes in a season when he led the AFL in that category in 1966 and the NFL in 1970.
Robinson, a key member of the Chiefs’ dominant defense of that era, was voted to seven Pro Bowls, received all-league recognition six straight years (All-AFL, 1965-69; All-NFL, 1970), and was named to the AFL’s All-Time Team.
He was a member of the 1962 Texans AFL championship team and the 1969 Chiefs who captured the Super Bowl IV championship.
The Seniors Committee is comprised of nine members of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee who consider players whose careers ended at least 25 years ago. Through mail vote, the 2019 senior nominees were reduced to a final list of candidates. Then, on a rotating basis, five of the nine members meet at the Pro Football Hall of Fame to discuss each of the Seniors candidates and select the finalist.
To be elected to the Hall of Fame, Robinson must receive the same 80 percent voting support by the entire 48-member Selection Committee on “Selection Saturday.” The Hall’s Selection Committee, at its annual meeting to be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Ga., will consider 18 finalists, including a Senior (Robinson), two Contributors (to be named Thursday, Aug. 23), and 15 Modern-Era Finalists (to be determined from a preliminary list announced on September 13; trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November and to 15 finalists in January). Current bylaws call for a class no smaller than four or larger than eight. The Senior Finalist will be voted on for election independent of the other finalists.
The Class of 2019 will be formally enshrined during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls in Canton next August 1-4.
SENIOR FINALISTS (ALL-TIME)
Those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame are indicated in caps.
1972 – ACE PARKER
1973 – Ole Haugsrud
1974 – TONY CANADEO
1975 – No senior candidate selected.
1976 – RAY FLAHERTY
1977 – BILL WILLIS
1978 – TUFFY LEEMANS
1979 – Marshall Goldberg
1980 – Lou Creekmur
1981 – RED BADGRO
1982 – GEORGE MUSSO
1983 – Mac Speedie
1984 – ARNIE WEINMEISTER
1985 – FRANK GATSKI
1986 – DOAK WALKER
1987 – JOHN HENRY JOHNSON
1988 – Lou Rymkus
1989 – Henry Jordan
1990 – BOB ST. CLAIR
1991 – STAN JONES
1992 – Willie Galimore
1993 – Dick Stanfel
1994 – LEROY KELLY
1995 – HENRY JORDAN
1996 – LOU CREEKMUR
1997 – Jerry Kramer
1998 – TOMMY McDONALD
1999 – BILLY SHAW
2000 – DAVE WILCOX
2001 – NICK BUONICONTI
2002 – GEORGE ALLEN
2003 – HANK STRAM
2004 – BOB BROWN, Bob Hayes
2005 – BENNY FRIEDMAN, FRITZ POLLARD
2006 – JOHN MADDEN, RAYFIELD WRIGHT
2007 – GENE HICKERSON, CHARLIE SANDERS
2008 – Marshall Goldberg, EMMITT THOMAS
2009 – BOB HAYES, Claude Humphrey
2010 – DICK LeBEAU, FLOYD LITTLE
2011 – CHRIS HANBURGER, LES RICHTER
2012 – JACK BUTLER, Dick Stanfel
2013 – CURLEY CULP, DAVE ROBINSON
2014 – RAY GUY, CLAUDE HUMPHREY
2015 – MICK TINGELHOFF
2016 – KEN STABLER, DICK STANFEL
2017 – KENNY EASLEY
2018 – ROBERT BRAZILE, JERRY KRAMER
2019 ENSHRINEMENT WEEK POWERED BY JOHNSON CONTROLS OFFICIAL TICKET PACKAGES
Official Ticket Packages for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls are on sale now at www.HOFexperiences.com or by calling 844-751-0532. A variety of ticket packages, starting at $299, provide fans with VIP experiences, premium seating and parties with Hall of Famers. Packages range from event day offerings to four-day experiences that include a multitude of exclusive extras.
Individual tickets to the 2019 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls will go on sale at a later date.
Fans can also sign up to receive information and updates about tickets by going to www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement-ticket-info-request/ or by following the Hall on social media @ProFootballHOF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
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