Mel Kiper and the Hall of Fame / Pete Rozelle award (1 Viewer)

[GregR]

The Hall of Fame has the Pete Rozelle award which it bestows each year for longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football. It has been awarded to play by play announcers, studio analysts, network executives with a large in hand NFL production, and to notables like John Facenda from NFL Films. 2025 award is going to Brent Musberger. See list of all awardees below.

Does Mel Kiper deserve to receive this recognition from the HoF? He wasn't the first media analyst of the NFL draft, but arguably Kiper took the concept and had a big role in turning it into an industry. One could argue what role he played in going from a league that didn't want to broadcast the draft once upon a time, to becoming of year-round interest like it is today.

Dan Patrick recently brought this up that he will be campaigning for Kiper for the award next, comparing him to John Facenda. Do you think Kiper deserves it in the near future? How much do you think he deserves credit for the NFL draft industry that we have today?

Rozelle Award recipients
Year Honoree Primary affiliation(s)
1989 Bill MacPhail Executive: CBS
1990 Lindsey Nelson Play-by-play: CBS
1991 Ed Sabol Founder and executive: NFL Films
1992 Chris Schenkel Play-by-play: DuMont, CBS, NBC
1993 Curt Gowdy Play-by-play: NBC, CBS
1994 Pat Summerall Color commentator and play-by-play: CBS, Fox
1995 Frank Gifford Color commentator and play-by-play: CBS, ABC
1996 Jack Buck Play-by-play: CBS, NBC, CBS Radio
1997 Charlie Jones Play-by-play: ABC, NBC
1998 Val Pinchbeck NFL broadcast official
1999 **** Enberg Play-by-play: NBC, CBS
2000 Ray Scott Play-by-play: DuMont, CBS
2001 Roone Arledge Executive: ABC
2002 John Madden Color commentator: CBS, Fox, ABC, NBC
2003 Don Criqui Play-by-play: CBS, NBC
2004 Van Miller Play-by-play: Buffalo Bills
2005 Myron Cope Color commentator: Pittsburgh Steelers
2006 Lesley Visser Reporter: CBS, ABC
2007 Don Meredith Color commentator: ABC, NBC
2008 Dan Dierdorf Color commentator: CBS, ABC
2009 Irv Cross Color commentator and studio analyst: CBS
2010 Chris Berman Studio host: ESPN
2011 Jim Nantz Studio host and play-by-play: CBS Radio, CBS
2012 Len Dawson Studio host and color commentator: HBO, NBC, Kansas City Chiefs
2013 Al Michaels Play-by-play: ABC, NBC, Amazon Prime
2014 Bob Trumpy Color commentator: NBC, Westwood One
2015 Tom Jackson Studio analyst: ESPN[1]
2016 James Brown Studio host and play-by-play: CBS, Fox
2017 David Hill Executive: Fox
2018 Andrea Kremer Reporter: NFL Films, ESPN, NBC, NFL Network, Amazon Prime[2]
2019 **** Ebersol Executive: NBC[3]
2020 Joe Buck Play-by-play: Fox, ESPN[4]
2021 John Facenda Broadcaster and narrator: NFL Films[5]
2022 Howard Katz Executive: ABC, ESPN, NFL Films[6]
2023 Fred Gaudelli Producer: ABC, NBC, Amazon Prime[7]
2024 Merrill Reese Play-by-play: Philadelphia Eagles[8]
2025 Brent Musburger Play-by-play, studio: CBS, ABC

 

[zed2283]

I voted no, but he absolutely was a primary driving force in creating what the draft is today for the NFL.

 

[travdogg]

Easy yes. He deserves it more than at least half the people on that list.

 

[Bankerguy]

He’s not my fav guy - but gotta say yes.

 

[TheDirtyWord]

Without a doubt. For the Bill Tobin clip alone.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

While I was never a big fan of his actual ratings, I will admit that he is a hard worker who was also on the ground floor of the entire present industry. And there is no one else more iconic in terms of the NFL draft.

 

[ChiefD]

There is Mel Kiper and a long list of people who owe their entire career to a guy who made the draft what it is.

Absolutely deserves to be in.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

Ugh, definitely not a fan of Kiper. I will admit though, tossing my personal feelings aside, that Kiper played a huge role in promoting the draft and helping to make it the huge televised event it has become for the NFL. I believe he was also instrumental in making the combine a televised event. He consistently used combine stats to inform viewers as to why he ranked certain players where he did and where he thought they might get drafted. Soon enough, the combine was televised every year. I'll give him credit for that also. Again, not a fan but, I admit he deserves the award and have voted accordingly.

 

[travdogg]

There is Mel Kiper and a long list of people who owe their entire career to a guy who made the draft what it is.

Absolutely deserves to be in.

Looking at that list of award recipients, I think Ed Sabol and John Madden are the only 2 people on the list who have done more than Kiper has.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Most of us are old enough to remember when the NFL draft was a non-event, at the level of the MLB draft. I remember opening the local paper and reading profiles of the new Packers rookies printed a week or two after the draft had taken place, completely unbeknownst to me. 700,000 people attended the NFL draft in person last year in Detroit. I don’t think it’s exaggerating to say this is one of the most incredible marketing successes of our lifetimes - to turn a non-event into this bizarre year round content machine, culminating in what we now see this time of year. At a time when NFL football should by all reasonable expectations be the furthest thing from our minds, we have a massive industry in full blown production mode churning out teams of nearly meaningless content every day (7 round mocks and journalist “analysis” of teenaged athletes) and fans gobble it up like it actually has some nutritional value. Kiper played a massive role in this. If this award recognizes media contributions to the NFL’s success he’s on Mount Rushmore.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I don’t enjoy him on my TV. Too much of a used-car salesman vibe for my liking. But more than anyone else, he made the NFL draft the event that it is today. So it would be perfectly understandable if he got this award.

 

[Ruffrodys05]

I don’t enjoy him on my TV. Too much of a used-car salesman vibe for my liking. But more than anyone else, he made the NFL draft the event that it is today. So it would be perfectly understandable if he got this award.

This is funny to me because it is exactly the description I could not think of when posting in this thread last night. It is even more funny when to think that was the vibe I also got, yet, he was selling brand new models fresh off the college factory line.

 

[Snotbubbles]

Absolutely.

 

[JAA]

I voted yes. I dont think the NFL combine/draft is what it is today without him.

Mel Kiper helped revolutionize the NFL draft. I loved ordering his blue book draft prospectuses and watching the NFL draft starting 12pm on Saturday. Was much much more enjoyable than this sensationalized dribble.

 

[JAA]

Without a doubt. For the Bill Tobin clip alone.

Just rewatched that. Absolute classic, RIP Tobin.

 

[ChiefD]

the NFL draft starting 12pm on Saturday. Was much much more enjoyable than this sensationalized dribble.

This part was so awesome. A full day of grilling and drinking beer with the boys and watching the draft all day.

I miss those days. A wonderful way to spend a spring Saturday.

 

[Marauder]

I voted yes. I dont think the NFL combine/draft is what it is today without him.

Mel Kiper helped revolutionize the NFL draft. I loved ordering his blue book draft prospectuses and watching the NFL draft starting 12pm on Saturday. Was much much more enjoyable than this sensationalized dribble.

I go back to when the draft was held on a Tuesday starting at 8:00am EST and going on all day. Being on the west coast I used to get up at 5:00am to watch it on ESPN. I took the day off work a few times.

The first time I ordered Mel's blue book, I can't remember what year it was, but it was sometime in the early 80's. I called the number to order it and he answered the phone. He was a nice guy. We had a conversation about some of the prospects.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

The first time I ordered Mel's blue book, I can't remember what year it was, but it was sometime in the early 80's. I called the number to order it and he answered the phone. He was a nice guy. We had a conversation about some of the prospects.

This is pretty awesome. Ground floor stuff.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Perfect example of how steady, consistent, hard work pays off. If you would have asked me 15 years ago Im not sure I could see it.

Now? Not even a discussion, hes a lock for the NFL HALL of FAME. Thats a monumental achievement.

 

[ChiefD]

I hope they put him in soon so he can live to be a part of it. He's only 64 but that's no guarantee on anything.

He seems like the type of guy who would really, really appreciate that honor, especially for a guy who wasn't a football player and a guy who literally built this up from his basement.

What a trajectory for a guy. Basically getting where every sports dreaming kid ever hoped to get - hall of fame recognition.

 

[Grahamburn]

Kiper is fantastic. Just authentic and convicted in how he operates. Huge reason why I love the draft.

 

[need2know]

easily

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I hate Mel Kiper and have for a long time, he's a greasy salesman that makes money off the backs of these kids

Kiper Knows Nothing about the NFL

 

[Mister CIA]

Voted before reading other opinions. I'm not a Mel Kiper fan per se, but Mel Kiper is basically us, a football nerd, only fully-fledged - and we'd be better at it too, if we only had time ... well, I would be. If you voted no because you disagreed with his rankings and predictions, you're thinking about this all wrong.

Yes, Mel Kiper belongs in the NFL Hall of Fame, unquestionably.

 

[Desert_Power]

He's just such a blowhard. I've never enjoyed watching him. He's definitely influenced the type of folks that end up on NFL coverage. Mostly for the worse.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Mel seems to have gone off the rails a bit in Green Bay last weekend. Many didn’t really take him very seriously to begin with but he has always presented himself as a serious analyst and whatever reputation he had probably took a hit last week. I wonder what he’s thinking about this week.

 

[Joe Bryant]

For sure Kiper deserves to be in.

But what kind of award waits until 2021 to add John Facenda? The award should be named after him.

 

[RC94]

I first thought that Kiper deserved to get in based on the work he did many years ago, but he's become a blowhard and has been annoying for a long time now, and this year he completely lost it. I have no respect for him anymore and will never watch him again. That doesn't change what he did 30-40 years ago, but now I don't think it's enough. He's not some sure fire hall of famer like an Aaron Rodgers, where a fall from grace at the end won't change his overall legacy. Kiper's legacy is still going and it's not doing well now and hasn't been that great for some time based on how many people don't like him. Someone like Rodgers' legacy is already in place.

 

[MAC_32]

Mel seems to have gone off the rails a bit in Green Bay last weekend. Many didn’t really take him very seriously to begin with but he has always presented himself as a serious analyst and whatever reputation he had probably took a hit last week. I wonder what he’s thinking about this week.

It's been trending that way for a while. Whether he's bought off by agents or too high on his own stash, he's been unserious for years.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I can't believe this is a serious question.

I like Dan Patrick, but he is off his rocker for suggesting this.

 

[3C's]

Like him or not, the answer is a resounding yes.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

You gotta think ESPN takes him off the air after this, right?
I’m hoping this is his last draft.
But I won’t watch ESPN anymore. Their draft coverage this year was terrible. I switched after the first couple picks and it was all about Sanders.

 

[pinkstapler]

You gotta think ESPN takes him off the air after this, right?
I’m hoping this is his last draft.
But I won’t watch ESPN anymore. Their draft coverage this year was terrible. I switched after the first couple picks and it was all about Sanders.

Never forget, and there are studies which back this up especially in recent years; negative reactions get just as high, if not sometimes even higher, ratings, viewership, more clicks and comments, etc.

I'm with you, probably more because of Shefter than Kiper actually, but I stopped watching ESPN for the draft and switched over to NFL network last year (and watched them again this year). But there are plenty more people legit hate watching just to complain about stuff. And some of the most trending posts on social media during and after the draft were "Mel Kiper melt down". Interactions/views = more options for and higher priced sponsorships/advertisements.

ESPN execs very likely LOVED that Kipers 3rd overall ranked player fell to the fifth round and that he was losing his ish about it on live television.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

You gotta think ESPN takes him off the air after this, right?
I’m hoping this is his last draft.
But I won’t watch ESPN anymore. Their draft coverage this year was terrible. I switched after the first couple picks and it was all about Sanders.

Never forget, and there are studies which back this up especially in recent years; negative reactions get just as high, if not sometimes even higher, ratings, viewership, more clicks and comments, etc.

I'm with you, probably more because of Shefter than Kiper actually, but I stopped watching ESPN for the draft and switched over to NFL network last year (and watched them again this year). But there are plenty more people legit hate watching just to complain about stuff. And some of the most trending posts on social media during and after the draft were "Mel Kiper melt down". Interactions/views = more options for and higher priced sponsorships/advertisements.

ESPN execs very likely LOVED that Kipers 3rd overall ranked player fell to the fifth round and that he was losing his ish about it on live television.

Agreed. ESPN’s entire business model is based on “engagement”, and negative engagement is actually more valuable than positive engagement. It is why they are unwatchable to reasonable people like ourselves but others are addicted to them.

This all goes back to the landmark study where analysts determined that people who hated Howard Stern listened to him for twice as long as the people who liked him.

 

[pinkstapler]

You gotta think ESPN takes him off the air after this, right?
I’m hoping this is his last draft.
But I won’t watch ESPN anymore. Their draft coverage this year was terrible. I switched after the first couple picks and it was all about Sanders.

Never forget, and there are studies which back this up especially in recent years; negative reactions get just as high, if not sometimes even higher, ratings, viewership, more clicks and comments, etc.

I'm with you, probably more because of Shefter than Kiper actually, but I stopped watching ESPN for the draft and switched over to NFL network last year (and watched them again this year). But there are plenty more people legit hate watching just to complain about stuff. And some of the most trending posts on social media during and after the draft were "Mel Kiper melt down". Interactions/views = more options for and higher priced sponsorships/advertisements.

ESPN execs very likely LOVED that Kipers 3rd overall ranked player fell to the fifth round and that he was losing his ish about it on live television.

Agreed. ESPN’s entire business model is based on “engagement”, and negative engagement is actually more valuable than positive engagement. It is why they are unwatchable to reasonable people like ourselves but others are addicted to them.

This all goes back to the landmark study where analysts determined that people who hated Howard Stern listened to him for twice as long as the people who liked him.

Perfect example, spot on.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I don’t enjoy him on my TV. Too much of a used-car salesman vibe for my liking. But more than anyone else, he made the NFL draft the event that it is today. So it would be perfectly understandable if he got this award.

Agreed

 

[massraider]

Whole bunch of dudes making money standing on his shoulders, an industry he CREATED.

He lost his fastball, but he's the OG