The list is getting smaller. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Steering Committee has chosen five names to enter their prestigious list of football legends. A maximum of three of these five people can be inducted. To do this, it will be necessary to collect 80% of the votes. If no individual reaches this bar, only the player with the most votes will be elected.
The final Hall of Fame induction list includes:
- Ralph Hay (contributor), owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918 to 1922, founder of the NFL
- Mike Holmgren (coach), head coach of the Packers (1992-1998) and Seahawks (1999-2008), two Super Bowls played (XXXI & XL), one won (XXXI).
- Maxie Baughan (senior), linebacker for the Eagles (1960-1965) and Rams (1966-1970), 9 times Pro-Bowler.
- Sterling Sharpe (senior), Packers receiver (1988-1994), 5 Pro Bowls and 3 All-Pro. 565 receptions, 8134 yards and 65 career touchdowns.
- Jim Tyrer (senior), offensive lineman for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1961-1973) and Washington (1974), winner of Super Bowl IV and 3 AFL championships.
What about modern-era players in the Hall of Fame?
Don't panic, players who stopped their careers after 2000 have not been forgotten. They are in their list, separately. This list has not yet changed, the 15 finalists will be known on December 28, 2024.
The 25 semi-finalists are:
- Eli Manning (QB)
- Fred Taylor (RB)
- Ricky Watters (RB)
- Anquan Boldin (WR)
- Torry Holt (WR)
- Steve Smith Sr. (WR)
- Hines Ward (WR)
- Reggie Wayne (WR)
- Antonio Gates (TE)
- Willie Anderson (OL)
- Jahri Evans (OL)
- Richmond Webb (OL)
- Steve Wisniewski (OL)
- Marshal Yanda (OL)
- Eric Allen (DB)
- Rodney Harrison (DB)
- Earl Thomas (DB)
- Darren Woodson (DB)
- James Harrison (LB)
- Lueke Kuechly (LB)
- Terrell Suggs (LB)
- Jared Allen (DL)
- Robert Mathis (DL)
- Vince Wilfork (DL)
- Adam Viniateri (K)