Former Bucs quarterback Doug Williams is one of five Hall of Fame contributor finalists
A Hall of Fame subcommittee will pick one of the five on Nov. 17 to go before the full selection committee.
TAMPA - Doug Williams, who quarterbacked the Buccaneers to their first three playoff appearances and later worked in the team's front office, is one of five finalists in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's contributor category for the Class of 2027, the team reported Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The Hall narrowed the contributor list from 42 nominees to five, according to the team. The others are former Canton Bulldogs owner Ralph Hay, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, former Chicago Bears principal owner Virginia McCaskey and former Fritz Pollard Alliance chair John Wooten.
The Hall's Contributor Subcommittee is set to meet virtually Nov. 17 to choose one of the five, who will then be considered by the full Selection Committee early next year. Kraft was the subcommittee's choice last year, the team said.
Tampa Bay drafted Williams in the first round in 1978. In five seasons as the Bucs' quarterback he helped the team reach the playoffs in 1979, 1981 and 1982, including the NFC Championship Game after the 1979 season. With Washington, he became the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, earning MVP honors in Super Bowl XXII, a 42-10 win over Denver.
Williams returned to the Buccaneers in 2004 as a personnel executive and became coordinator of pro scouting in 2009, a job he held for two seasons. He is a member of the team's Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium.
Source: Buccaneers.com, "Bucs Legend Doug Williams One of Five Contributor Nominees for Hall of Fame," by Scott Smith, Nov. 4, 2026, opened Nov. 5, 2026.