Doug Williams among five Hall of Fame finalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Contributor Subcommittee narrowed the list of 42 potential candidates to five. Washington Commanders front office executive Doug Williams is one of the remaining finalists. The group voted multiple times to select the final five names for consideration.

The other four candidates are New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, former offensive lineman and scout John Wooten, ex-Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, and NFL co-founder Ralph Hay. Members will convene later this month to select one of these five individuals. That chosen candidate will then face the full Selection Committee as it votes on the 2027 class. Kraft previously won the Contributor nomination but did not make the final cut last year.

Williams played for Washington from 1986 to 1989. He assumed the starting quarterback role early in the 1987 season following an injury to Jay Schroeder. He led the team, then known as the Redskins, to a victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. Williams won the Most Valuable Player award for that game, throwing for 340 yards and four touchdowns. He was the first Black quarterback to win the Super Bowl.

Since leaving the field, Williams has coached at Navy and several other college programs. He currently serves as a senior advisor to General Manager Adam Peters in Washington. The Commanders organization has 32 members already enshrined in Canton, Ohio.