It’s been more than half a century since the late Joe Fortunato executed his last play on the field as part of the Chicago Bears’ defense. Acclaimed during his time in the NFL, the linebacker and Mingo Junction (OH) native never got the Pro Football Hall of Fame recognition his supporters say he deserved. But that may change very soon. 

On Sept. 10, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the names of nearly 200 players who had been nominated for a spot in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 in the Seniors category. According to the Hall of Fame, former players must have appeared in a professional football game in the 1999 season or earlier — at least 25 full seasons ago — to be considered for nomination.