Bill Nunn should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Full stop. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Considering how the NFL included him high on their list of league “game changers,” I’d like to think they’d agree.
Nunn was named one of the Top 100 League Changers in NFL history last night by NFL Network, coming in at 47th, a spot most Steelers’ fans would argue is still too low.
His story and impact is well-known to virtually every Steelers’ fan. After working for the local Pittsburgh Courier, publishing an annual list of the top players at HBCUs around the country, Pittsburgh hired him to be their full-time scout. Nunn’s expertise and knowledge of those schools overlooked by the rest of the NFL led them to gems like John Stallworth (Alabama A&M), Donnie Shell (Morgan State), LC Greenwood (Arkansas Pine-Bluff), and Dwight White (East Texas State).
He also oversaw the 1974 draft class, arguably the best successful selections in NFL history. Four of the Steelers first five picks included:
Lynn Swann
Jack Lambert
John Stallworth
Mike Webster
After Nunn’s ranking was unveiled, there was an outpouring of support from the football community to acknowledge what he did for the Steelers and the NFL.
Our own David Orochena wrote extensively about Nunn and why he should be enshrined in Canton last year. I recommend you check out his article from 2018.
At this point, Nunn’s only path to the Hall of Fame is through the senior committee. But with this being the league’s 100th year and the expansion of their class, it’s the perfect chance to enshrine someone so worthy and impactful on the game.
