Begun in 2002, the Hall of Very Good seeks to honor outstanding players and coaches who are not in the Hall of Fame and are not likely to ever make it. The PFRA does not promote any of the electees for the Hall of Fame nor does it view the Hall of Very Good as a springboard for the Hall of Fame. We simply recognize that there are many players and coaches who had great careers who deserve to be recognized.

Class of 2009
Bruno Banducci, Guard, Eagles and 49ers 1944-54: Solid all-around blocker who earned first team all-pro honors twice in AAFC and three times in NFL. Also twice named to combined all-AAFC/NFL. Never played on champion but his teams won two-thirds of their games and finished second eight times. Seven times his team finished first in rushing yards and four times a teammate won rushing title.

Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver, Eagles and Cowboys 1971-84: Ranked fifth in career receptions, seventh in receiving yards and seventh in touchdown catches when he retired. Also held record with 127 straight games with a catch. Led NFL in receptions and yards in 1973 when he was first team all-pro. Third in yards in 1978 and fifth in catches in 1974. Unanimous all-NFC in 1978 and 1979.  

Blanton Collier, Browns assistant coach 1946-53 and 1962 and head coach 1963-70: Had big impact as all-around assistant as Browns finished first in all eight seasons of his first tenure in Cleveland. Succeeded Paul Brown in 1963 after four playoff-less seasons and guided team to five first-place finishes and 1964 NFL championship. Browns won 69% of their games and never had a losing season in his eight years as head coach.

Boyd Dowler, Wider Receiver, Packers and Redskins 1959-69, 1971: Leading receiver on Green Bay’s dynasty of the 1960’s who twice was named all-conference. Finished in the top 10 in receptions three times despite playing for a very run-oriented team. Ranked 10^th in catches and 12^th in receiving yards all-time when he retired. Had huge postseason in 1967 when Packers won Ice Bowl and Super Bowl II.

Claude Humphrey, Defensive End, Falcons and Eagles 1968-74, 1976-81: Tall, powerful end who crushed pass pockets and destroyed running plays with great effectiveness. Garnered some first or second team all-pro honors eight times including three seasons where he was a consensus first-teamer. Joined Philadelphia after several serious injuries and helped Eagles to playoffs in each of his last three years.

Ken Kavanaugh, End, Bears 1940-41, 45-50: Averaged 18.7 yards per catch or better every year he played and led NFL in 1941 at 28.5. Career average of 22.4 is one of best ever. Fifty of his 162 career catches were touchdowns and twice led league in TD receptions. Played in three title games (all Bear victories) and scored TD in all three. Missed three prime seasons to military service.   

Verne Lewellen, Halfback, Packers and Yankees 1924-32: One of best backs of the 1920’s who twice led NFL in TD’s and rushing TD’s. Second team all-pro in 1925 and consensus first-teamer in 1926-29. Few statistics are available from that time but was an outstanding punter in era when advantage in that part of the game frequently meant victory. Packers won three titles in his years in Green Bay.   

Walt Sweeney, Guard, Chargers and Redskins 1963-75: Key component of San Diego’s high-octane offense of the 1960’s. Chargers ranked at top in numerous offensive categories in first part of his career and played in three straight title games, winning once. Named as second team all-league selection three times and first team four times including 1967-69 when he was consensus all-AFL.

Class of 2008
Dick Barwegen, 1947-54 - G:  Outstanding guard for four teams in two leagues. Powerful run blocker whose teams were first in rushing yards twice and average gain once. Unanimous all-league choice four straight years. Excellent defender in his early years as two-way player.

Randy Gradishar, 1974-83 - LB:  Leader of Denver's Orange Crush defense that won the AFC in 1977. NFL Defensive Player of Year in '78. Never missed a game in 10 seasons. Broncos led NFL in numerous defensive categories in his prime years. 4 TD's and 20 INT's in career.

Bob Hoernschmeyer, 1946-55 - HB:  Among top rushers in each of his first 8 seasons. Led Detroit in rushing four straight years while Lions were winning two NFL titles.  Counting AAFC total, was 4th all-time in rushing when he retired.

Cecil Isbell, 1938-42 - TB:   Spectacular passer who led Packers to two Championship Games and one title. Set records for passing yards in 1941 and for completions, TD passes, and yards in '42. Also set marks with 5 TD throws in game and 22 straight games with TD pass.

Buddy Parker, 1951-64 - Coach: Coached Detroit to three title games and two titles, compiling 50-24-2 record. Turned Pittsburgh into contender and ranks 3^rd behind Noll and Cowher in wins among Steeler coaches. Also played 9 NFL years including on 1935 Lion title winners.

Spec Sanders, 1946-50 - TB:  Hard running tailback who established pro records with 1,432 rushing yards and 19 TD's in 1947 when he was AAFC MVP. Led Yankees to two AAFC title games. Set NFL record with 13 interceptions when he switched to defense full time in 1950.

Jim Ray Smith, 1956-64 - G:  One of fastest guards ever who earned all-pro honors in five of the six full seasons he played. Browns led NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry twice each in his years with team. Had memorable game in '59 when he dominated Gene Lipscomb.

Billy Wilson, 1951-60 - WR:  Thrice led NFL in receptions and was in top 7 seven straight years. 4th or better in receiving yards 5 times and also led league in TD catches once. Ranked 2^nd all-time to Hutson in receptions and TD catches and 3^rd in receiving yards when he retired.

Class of 2007:
Frankie Albert, 1946-1952 - QB
Roger Brown, 1960-1969 - DT
Timmy Brown, 1959-1968 - RB
Marshall Goldberg, 1939-1948 - B
Jim Lee Howell, 1937-1947, 1954-1960 - E
Glenn Presnell, 1931-1936 - B
Dick Schafrath, 1959-1971 - T
Jake Scott, 1970-1978 - DB
Ed Sprinkle, 1944-1955 - DE
Tank Younger, 1949-1958 - HB-FB

Class of 2006:
Charley Conerly, 1948-1961 - QB
John Hadl, 1962-1977 - QB
Chuck Howley1958-1973 - LB
Alex Karras, 1958-1970 - DT
Eugene Lipscomb, 1953-1962 - DT
Kyle Rote, 1951-1961 - E-HB
Dick Stanfel, 1952-1958 - G
Otis Taylor, 1965-1975 - WR
Fuzzy Thurston, 1958-1967 - G
Deacon Dan Towler, 1950-1955 - FB

Class of 2005:
Maxie Baughan, 1960-1974 - LB
Jim Benton, 1938-1947 - E
Lavie Dilweg, 1926-1934 - E
Pat Harder, 1946-1953 - FB
Floyd Little, 1967-1975 - RB
Tommy Nobis, 1966-1976 - LB
Pete Retzlaff, 1956-1966 - HB-E
Tobin Rote, 1950-1966 - QB
Lou Rymkus, 1943, 1946-1951 - T
Del Shofner, 1957-1967 - E

Class of 2004:
Gene Brito, 1951-1960 - DE
John Brodie, 1957-1973 - QB
Jack Butler, 1951-1959 - DB
Chris Hanburger, 1965-1978 - LB
Bob Hayes*, 1965-1975 - SE-WR
Billy Howton, 1952-1963 - E
Jim Marshall, 1960-1979 - DE
Al Nesser, 1920-1928, 1931 - G
Dave Robinson, 1963-1974 - LB
Duke Slater, 1922-1931 - T

Class of 2003:
Gino Cappelletti, 1960-1970 - E-K
Carl Eller*, 1964-1979 - DE
Pat Fischer, 1961-1977 - DB
Benny Friedman*, 1927-1934 - TB
Gene Hickerson*, 1958-1973 - G
Jerry Kramer, 1958-1968 - G
Johnny Robinson, 1960-1971 - DB
Mac Speedie, 1946-1952 - E
Mick Tingelhoff, 1962-1978 - C
Al Wistert, 1943-1951 - T

*Voted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame after induction into the Hall of Very Good.