Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his fifth attempt.
Tagliabue and former Giants General Manager George Young made it to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as contributors. Ex-Cowboys safety Cliff Harris and former Browns receiver Mac Speedie completed the centennial class announced Wednesday. The class of 10 senior candidates, three contributors and two coaches are part of the Hall's celebration of the NFL's 100th season.
Tagliabue replaced Pete Rozelle as league commissioner in 1989 and served 17 years, during which there was labor peace, expansion to 32 teams and widespread upgrades in stadiums. The NFL's television revenue under Tagliabue skyrocketed, and he helped establish a pension system for former players.
The issue that seemed to keep him from earlier selection to the Hall was how the NFL dealt with concussions and head trauma. But, as with all commissioners, Tagliabue was doing the bidding of his bosses, the team owners. He made some unwise comments about the connection between concussions and football for which he later apologized.
"Deep appreciation to the Hall of Fame and just as much to all the people who worked with me for almost 50 years in the NFL," Tagliabue said. "Football is the ultimate team sport, we were not playing the game on the field … the team was people who worked for me at the NFL and the teams and our partners."
Young, who also worked under Tagliabue in the league office, was a front-office executive for the Colts and Dolphins before joining — and turning around — a moribund Giants franchise. New York won two Super Bowls during his tenure.
Harris was one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in the NFL, a major part of the Dallas defenses of the 1970s who made three All-Pro teams and six Pro Bowls. He played in seven conference title games and five Super Bowls, winning two.
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