We as players were (usually) fortunate to receive most of the club’s media attention during our careers.
However, there were many “behind the scenes” personnel who supported us and contributed to the team’s success. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is recognizing 17 of those individuals this week in Year-Two of its “Awards of Excellence” program.
Those 17 honorees are classified in five distinct categories: Athletic Trainers, Public Relations Directors, Equipment Managers, Assistant Coaches and the new group (with five honorees) Film/Video Directors.
“This year’s group of honorees has impacted their clubs and the game of professional football positively, and this program is a way to recognize that,” says Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.
The 17 awardees who will be honored at the Hall of Fame (June 28-29) are:
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
- Lindsy McLean (who worked for the 49ers from 1979-2003)
- Bob Reese (Bills, Jets; 1972-1996)
- Bubba Tyer (Redskins; 1971-2009)
PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORS
- Greg Aiello (Cowboys, League Office; 1979-2018)
- Kevin Byrne (Cardinals, Browns, Ravens; 1977-2020)
- Budd Thalman (Bills; 1973-86)
EQUIPMENT MANAGERS
- Buck Buchanan (Cowboys; 1973-94)
- Bob Noel (Packers; 1951-93)
- Bill Simmons (Cardinals; 1966-87)
ASSISTANT COACHES
- Sherman Lewis (49ers. Packers, Vikings, Lions, Redskins; 1983-2009)
- Tom Moore (Steelers, Vikings, Lions, Saints, Colts, Jets, Titans, Cardinals, Buccaneers; 1977-2023)
- Dante Scarnecchia (Patriots, Colts; 1982-2019)
FILM/VIDEO DIRECTORS
- Mike Dougherty (Eagles; 1976-2012)
- Mickey Dukich (Rams; 1956-94)
- Thom Fermstad (Vikings, Seahawks; 1973-2012)
- Henry Kunttu (Bills; 1969-2013)
- Al Treml (Packers; 1967-2001)
“We relied so much during our playing careers on individuals such as those being honored this week in Canton,” says NFL Alumni CEO Brad Edwards. “We appreciated them during our playing days, and all our members join the Hall in saluting them this week at the Awards of Excellence event.”
Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Fouts again will be the Master of Ceremonies tomorrow in Canton as he was at last year’s star-studded event.
