NASHVILLE – K.S. “Bud” Adams has been named one of nine semifinalists in the Contributors category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025.
Adams was on the list that was reduced from 25 individuals up for consideration earlier this month.
Adams, long-time owner of the Oilers/Titans, is now in a pool of candidates who will be considered for a vote by the selection committee.
The committee will discuss the semifinalists when it meets virtually Nov. 12 to select one finalist for the full Selection Committee to consider for possible election with the new class of enshrinees.
The nine Semifinalists in the Contributor category this year are: K.S. "Bud" Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank "Bucko" Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten.
Earlier this year, the Hall of Fame revised its bylaws beginning with the Class of 2025. Among the changes: a split of the Coach/Contributor category, which had been combined over the past few election cycles. Both categories now will send nominees through respective Blue-Ribbon Committees before candidates are considered by the full Selection Committee. The Blue-Ribbon Committees are comprised of nine (9) individuals: seven (7) who also are members of the full Selection Committee and two (2) others who hold full voting rights for this subcommittee only.
Adams, along with Lamar Hunt, co-founded the AFL to rival the NFL before the two leagues eventually merged. In fact, the formation of the AFL was announced in Adams' Houston office in 1959.
Hunt, long-time owner of the Chiefs who started an AFL team in Dallas, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. Another one of the members of the self-appointed "Foolish Club," Bills owner Ralph Wilson, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
In addition to his role in forming the AFL, Adams convinced Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon to play in the AFL, and his aggressive spending helped give the upstart league instant credibility.
In 2008, Adams received the inaugural Lamar Hunt Award for Professional Football, which recognized his vision and his role in helping the NFL reach preeminent status.
Adams was the founder and owner of the Oilers/Titans for 53-plus years (1960-2012).
Over the years, his teams produced 21 playoff seasons, two AFL Championships (1960 & 61), an AFC Championship win (1999), four AFC Championship Game Appearances, and a Super Bowl appearance (XXXIV). The 21 playoff appearances between 1960-2012 ranked eighth among NFL teams during that period.
The organization has produced 11 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In an interview with The Tennessean in 2013, the Titans owner wondered if he'd ever join football's hallowed halls. Adams passed away later that same year.
"Besides the playoffs, one thing I would like to accomplish is to be considered in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,'' Adams said. "I realize there may be some hard feelings about me moving the team to Nashville, but I truly feel my body of work…
"I don't like tooting my own horn. But at my age, and now being the senior NFL owner, there is no one from back in those days that can really speak up for me now."
Reduction votes also are occurring in the Modern-Era Players, Seniors and Coach categories. Eventually, 20 Finalists will be presented at the Selection Committee's annual meeting next year in advance of Super Bowl LIX: 15 Modern-Era Players, three Seniors, one Coach and one Contributor.
Here's a look at the nine finalists for the contributor category for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class:
K.S. "Bud" Adams: During his 54 years as founder, owner, Chairman of the Board, president and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams was a pivotal figure in the formation of the AFL and its merger with the NFL. - LEARN MORE
Ralph Hay: Owned the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922 and hosted the NFL's formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.
Frank "Bucko" Kilroy: Worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots' general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.
Robert Kraft: Owner, chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls. Key member of several influential NFL owners' committees.
Art Modell: Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996-2011. Key figure in transformational broadcast deals between NFL and networks.
Art Rooney Jr.: Employed with the Steelers since 1961, from 1964 through 1986, worked in the Steelers' Scouting Department. Currently a Steelers vice president and member of the Board of Directors.
Seymour Siwoff: Owner and president of Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the NFL, from 1952-2019.
Doug Williams: Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978-1982) and Washington Redskins (1986-89) included historic moment as first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl (XXII) with an MVP performance; credited with creating opportunities for future Black athletes.
John Wooten: Director of pro scouting for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1991. Created player development programs for the NFL in 1991. Vice president/player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992 and assistant director of pro/college scouting for the Baltimore Ravens until his retirement in 2002. In 2003, became chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a position he held until 2019.
