Cincinnatti Bengals release
Sports Illustrated release
CANTON, Ohio -- Legendary former Augustana quarterback Ken Anderson has been named one of 12 finalists, five of which are returners from last year, who are now before the Pro Football Hall of Fame seniors committee.
Anderson, the only man to win at least four NFL passing titles not in the Hall of Fame, has again survived the gauntlet that last year yielded induction for Super Bowl XVI teammate Ken Riley. The 12-person committee meets Aug. 22 to cut the field to three, which pretty much guarantees election when the full 49-member board of selectors meets in January.
He was the Bengals' first NFL MVP player in franchise history during the 1981 AFC Champion season. All in all, Anderson played 16 seasons in Cincinnati (1971-86)—the longest of any player in franchise history. He completed 2,654 passes (59.3%) for 32,838 yards, 197 touchdowns and 160 interceptions.
On Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame calculator, Anderson rates higher than inductees like Troy Aikman, Sonny Jurgensen, Len Dawson, Bob Griese, and more. Although his score (82.99) is below the average HOFers at quarterback (108).
Anderson joins 11 other legends, three of which will get chosen for induction by the HOF seniors committee next month.
2024 Senior Candidates
- Ken Anderson
- Maxie Baughan
- Roger Craig
- Randy Gradishar
- Joe Jacoby
- Albert Lewis
- Steve McMichael
- Eddie Meador
- Art Powell
- Sterling Sharpe
- Otis Taylor
- Al Wistert
