Buddy Parker, who coached the Steelers for eight seasons in the 1950-60s, was selected as the lone finalist in the coach/contributor category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 balloting.
The Steelers had two candidates among the final 12 under consideration. Art Rooney Jr., the team’s long-time head of scouting, was the other candidate.
Parker, who died in 1982, coached the Detroit Lions to two NFL championships, defeating the Cleveland Browns after the 1952 and 1953 seasons. Parker joined the Steelers in 1957 and compiled a 51-47-6 record with the franchise. For his career, Parker had a 104-75-9 record.
In Parker’s first season with the Steelers, the Lions won the NFL championship again, fielding a roster of players who Parker developed. He had four winning seasons and one .500 record with the Steelers, who had only three winning seasons out of 22 before his arrival.
The Hall of Fame’s 50-member selection committee will consider Parker for election in February when they also consider 15 modern-era players and three senior candidates. Parker will be elected if he receives at least 80% of the vote from the committee.
