Bill Nunn, Alan Faneca selected to the 2021 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

At the NFL Honors Ceremony on Saturday night February 6, one of the announcements is the 2021 inductees into the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame. According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers scout Bill Nunn and former guard Alan Faneca have both been selected as part of the 2021 Hall of Fame class.

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.

With the 2020 induction class being pushed to this fall 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 in August. With the Steelers once again scheduled to play the Dallas Cowboys in next year‘s Hall of Fame Game, adding the enshrinement of Bill Nunn and Alan Faneca would make for a fantastic Steelers weekend in Canton.

With his selection, Bill Nunn will be the first person of color inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.

Alan Faneca had been a finalist the last five years before finally getting the call. Seeing other offensive lineman going in with less accomplishments has been what Faneca has seen over the last two years. Faneca played 13 years in the NFL, 10 of which were for the Steelers. He was selected to nine Pro Bowls and was All-Pro six times.

On behalf of Behind The Steel Curtain, congratulations to Allan Faneca and the family of Bill Nunn for the recognition to be a part of the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class!