Jerry Seeman, a Minnesotan who went on to become one of the most memorable and influential officials in NFL history, has made the cut to 25 candidates being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s contributor category finalist for 2025, the Hall announced Wednesday.
Seeman was a quarterback and a three-sport star at Plainview High School before going on to Winona State, where he played football and basketball while getting a degree in mathematics in 1957.
He climbed the ranks in officiating from high school to the Big Ten to the NFL in 1975. In the NFL, he kept climbing from line judge to head linesman to director of officiating over the next quarter-century.
Seeman officiated in Super Bowls XXIII and XV. He also was the first official to have his number (70) retired. Seeman died at his home in Blaine in 2013.
The Hall’s Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee reduced the list from 47. It will continue its reduction until one finalist will be presented to the Hall’s full 50-member selection committee. All finalists require 80 percent approval from the committee for selection.
Here is a look at the 25 still under consideration:
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 NFL.
Roone Arledge: Television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.