Linebacker Chuck Howley, defensive lineman Joe Klecko, and defensive back Ken Riley are the three senior finalists for the Class of 2023, according to a statement released by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Seniors Committee for the thorough planning each member did in advance of the selection meeting. Twelve candidates were discussed by the selectors, and each one’s resume was thoroughly laid out”, Jim Porter, the Hall’s president, stated. Three deserving Finalists are now on the verge of being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame thanks to the dialogue being expanded with more Selectors involved in the process.
Howley, who started his career with the Chicago Bears, played with the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 to 1973, where he was a great player. Howley was the most valuable player in Super Bowl V, the Cowboys’ first trip in the championship game, and he was chosen for six Pro Bowls in addition to five straight first-team All-Pro awards. Only Howley has ever been the MVP of a losing Super Bowl squad. Riley played his whole career with the Cincinnati Bengals while Klecko was a Jet until 1988.
