CANTON, Ohio (WKBN) – Two former Pittsburgh Steelers, Hines Ward and James Harrison, have reached the semifinalist stage for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
A total of 25 Modern-Era Players advanced to the next stage of potential induction.
The list was reduced from an initial group of 167 nominees announced in September. The next step in the Moden-Era Players category will be a cut to 15 finalists late this year.
Harrison was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He was a four-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2023.
Ward was named Super Bowl XL MVP in 2006. He won a second Super Bowl (XLIII) with the Steelers in 2009. Ward is still the team’s all-time leader in receptions. He was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2019.
The following is the list of Modern-Era Players who have reached the semifinalist stage for the Class of 2025.
Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
Anquan Boldin, WR – 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as a semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
Jahri Evans, G – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a semifinalist: 3 – 2023-25)
Antonio Gates, TE – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | (Times as a semifinalist: 2 – 2024-25)
James Harrison, LB – 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a semifinalist: 3 – 2023-25)
Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a semifinalist: 4 – 2021, 2023-25)
Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a semifinalist: 11 – 2015-2025)
Luke Kuechly, LB – 2012-19 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
Eli Manning, QB – 2004-2019 New York Giants | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
Robert Mathis, DE/LB – 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
Steve Smith Sr., WR – 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
Terrell Suggs, LB/DE – 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a semifinalist: 6 – 2020-25)
Earl Thomas, DB – 2010-18 Seattle Seahawks, 2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
Adam Vinatieri, PK – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a semifinalist: 9 – 2017-2025)
Ricky Watters, RB – 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a semifinalist: 5 – 2020, 2022-25)
Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a semifinalist: 6 – 2020-25)
Richmond Webb, T – 1990-2000 Miami Dolphins, 2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
Vince Wilfork, DT – 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
Steve Wisniewski, G – 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders | (Times as a semifinalist: 2 – 2014, 2025)
Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a semifinalist: 9 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2025)
Marshal Yanda, G/T – 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
According to a release from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, reduction voting also is occurring in the Seniors, Coach and Contributor categories. The names of those finalists will be announced in December.
Eventually, 20 finalists will be presented at the Selection Committee’s annual meeting next year in advance of Super Bowl LIX: 15 Modern-Era Players, three Seniors, one Coach and one Contributor.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 will be announced at “NFL Honors” in New Orleans, La., in February and enshrined in August in Canton.
