Three Georgia Bulldogs are among the 25 semifinalists of modern-era players for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021.
Steelers legend Hines Ward and three-time Super Bowl winner Richard Seymour are the two Dawgs who are semifinalists.
Between the two of them, they have five Super Bowl rings.
To be considered for selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a nominated individual must not have participated as an active player for five consecutive seasons.
Ward had an incredibly successful NFL career playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ward is currently a Hall of Fame candidate. Over fifteen seasons in Pittsburgh, Ward accumulated 1,000 career catches and over 12,000 receiving yards. Ward is the Steeler’s all-time reception, receiving touchdown and receiving yardage leader. He won two Super Bowl titles including a Super Bowl MVP award. Not too bad for a third round pick out of Georgia.
Seymour was a force to be reckoned with not just in college, but in the pros as well. The 6’6, 317 lb Seymour attended Lower Richland High School in Hopkins, South Carolina and won first-team all region honors his senior season.
Seymour played for the bulldogs from 1997 to 2000. In 41 games (25 starting), he finished his UGA career with great stats. He tallied 226 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 35 quarterback pressures. He was named to the All-SEC first team in 1999 and 2000 and first team All American in 2000.
Seymour was taken 6th overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He became one of the Patriots best defenders of all time and was the leader of their defense for eight seasons. He helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls and was named to five different all-pro teams. In the ladder of his NFL career, Seymour played a few seasons with the Oakland Raiders.