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Branch was named the Senior Finalist and Vermeil was tabbed
Coach Finalist.
Branch, who died in 2019 at age 71, was a three-time Super Bowl
champion and a four-time Pro Bowler with the Oakland and Los
Angeles Raiders from 1972-85. He caught 501 passes for 8,685
yards and 67 touchdowns in 183 regular-season games.
Branch also excelled in the postseason with 73 receptions for
1,289 yards and five touchdowns in 22 games.
Vermeil, who turns 85 on Oct. 30, compiled a 120-109
regular-season record and 6-5 in the postseason. He won a Super
Bowl with the St. Louis Rams in the 1999 season and lost in the
Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1980.
Vermeil went 54-47 with the Eagles from 1976-82, 22-26 with the
Rams from 1997-99 and 44-36 with the Kansas City Chiefs from
2001-05.
Vermeil was one of seven coaches under consideration. The Coach
Committee only considers coaches whose careers ended at least
five years ago.
The Senior Committee began with a list of 16 nominees. Only
players whose careers ended at least 25 years ago are eligible.
To be elected to the Hall of Fame, Branch and Vermeil must each
receive 80 percent of the vote by the full 49-member Selection
Committee when it meets early next year.
--Field Level Media
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