Bill Nunn selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021

It has been long overdue. According to Dale Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports, Steelers assistant personnel director from 1970 to 1989 Bill Nunn is a finalist to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2021.

Nunn joined the Steelers in a part-time capacity in 1967 as part of the scouting staff. Working as the managing editor at the Courier, Nunn became an expert when it came to players at historical back colleges and universities. Working on a “Black College All-America Team,” Nunn’s extensive knowledge was something the Steelers tapped into. Coming on as a full-time employee in 1969 when Chuck Noll became the head coach, Nunn played an integral part in the selection of players who shaped the Steelers’ 1970s dynasty.

In all, Nunn was a part of all six of the Steelers Super Bowl championships as he continued to work as a scout from 1987 to 2014 when he passed away following a stroke.

The recognition of the contributions of Bill Nunn are legendary in Pittsburgh and are finally being noticed by those on the national level. Last month, NBC Sports writer Peter King gave an endorsement for Nunn to be in the Hall of Fame.

It is anyone’s guess as to if Nunn will be selected this year, but it would be difficult to make a case against his enshrinement. With the 2020 induction class being pushed to next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, former Steelers Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell along with former head coach Bill Cowher are set to be enshrined next summer. With the Steelers already scheduled to play the Dallas Cowboys in next year‘s Hall of Fame Game, adding the enshrinement of Bill Nunn would make for a fantastic Steelers weekend in Canton.

If selected for enshrinement, Bill Nunn will be the first person of color inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor as noted by Jim Trotter.