The Pro Football Hall of Fame Released its list for 2023 in the Seniors and Contributor Category. The total number for the list is 54 players/coaches/contributors. The next round of finalists in both categories will be announced on July 27th.
Included on the list is Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders cornerback, Lester Hayes. In his 10-year career, Hayes was named to 5 Pro Bowls and recorded 8 interceptions in the playoffs including two returned for touchdowns. Hayes led the NFL in interceptions in 1980 and was named AP-Defensive Player of the Year, en route to a Super Bowl title for Oakland.
**Hayes has the 2nd most interceptions in a season (13) in NFL history. This was during the 1980 season, which makes it the most interceptions in the modern era.**
Also named a Semi-Finalist is the late coach Marty Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer coached in the NFL for 21 seasons leading his teams to 13 playoff appearances and 8 Division Titles. He was notably head coach of the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. Schottenheimer also played in the AFL and NFL from 1965-1971. He was on the Buffalo Bills 1965 AFL Championship team and was named to the All-Star Team that same season. Schottenheimer passed away in 2021 due to complications from Alzheimer’s.
The complete list of Semi-finalists can be found here.
