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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum reportedly said at a Bank of America reception Thursday that he believes President Teddy Roosevelt will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, according to the New York Post.
“Roger Goodell was in the White House in the Oval Office. I had a chance to be with him there because we, the National Park Service, control the National Mall,” Burgum said, according to the outlet.
“The NFL draft will be held on the Mall a year from now, (and) the Capitol will be in the background.
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“Keep it a secret. Fingers crossed, but I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. … It will be announced on the Mall when Roger Goodell directs the draft.”
Pakinomist Digital has reached out to the secretary, the White House and the NFL for comment.
US President Theodore Roosevelt in his office in Washington, DC, February 10, 1903. (History Archive/Universal Images Group)
Teddy Roosevelt is credited with saving football in 1905–1906 by forcing college officials to reform the game’s rules after frequent injury-related deaths among players.
The reforms led to the creation of the forward pass and the prohibition of dangerous formations.
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Fans after a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
The 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class is led by first-year eligible legends Rob Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson and Ben Roethlisberger. Bill Belichick and Eli Manning are also candidates to come in after missing out on the first ballot.
