CANTON, Ohio – Ceremony host Rich Eisen called it the most special part of Hall of Fame weekend in Canton because it symbolizes the reality of the Pro Football Hall of Fame officially welcoming new members. And this year more newly elected Hall of Famers were part of the Gold Jacket Ceremony than ever before.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the 2020 class to wait a year to Rams their rightful place in football immortality, 18 golden jackets were presented in one event to all of the living members of the soon-to-be enshrined 2020 and 2021 classes.
Out of those 18 jackets handed out on stage at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, 3 of those were presented to people who predominantly represented the Steelers throughout their legendary careers. Bill Cowher, Alan Faneca and Donnie Shell all took part in the ceremony and were graced with a fresh new golden jacket.
Troy Polamalu was not able to join his fellow Hall of Famers in person due to testing positive for COVID-19 last week. Bill Nunn, who is widely recognized for building the Steelers dynasty of the 1970’s is being inducted posthumously due to passing away in 2014 at the age of 89.