Though the NFL was robbed of their Hall of Fame ceremony in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the league is full steam ahead with getting the class of 2021 ready to be enshrined in what very well be Dallas Cowboys heavy.
Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson and 2015 Ring of Honor inductee is among 25 members to have reached the semifinals of the process to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For Woodson, it will be the fifth time making it this far as he was a semifinalist in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, and now once again in 2021.
BREAKING: 4 first-year eligible players are among the list of 25 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists for the Class of 2021.
More on the semifinalists: https://t.co/ZtQVFup3B2#PFHOF21 pic.twitter.com/ukCvmOWnrF
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 24, 2020
Drafted in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft, Woodson was a part of three championships with the Cowboys. The safety was known for his ability to also play man-to-man coverage, often dropping into the slot to defend opponents receivers. His coverage ability, play diagnosis and hard-hitting nature earned him three All-Pro nominations and five Pro Bowl appearances.
For his career Woodson totaled 23 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, 11 sacks and 967 total tackles. He started in 162 of 178 career games, and each of them was in a Cowboys uniform.
This potential Hall of Fame class is headlined by four first-time candidates, QB Peyton Manning, DE Jared Allen, WR Calvin Johnson and DB Charles Woodson.
The initial list included 130 members that was whittled down to the current 25. There will be another cut down to 15 Modern-Era finalists. Former Cowboys wide receiving great Drew Pearson is one of three already among the finalists as a Senior Committee member.
If Woodson were to be selected, he would also be joining his two-time Super Bowl winning head coach Jimmy Johnson on stage to be enshrined. Former Cowboys’ safety Cliff Harris will also be enshrined next August. Dallas was scheduled to play in the annual Hall of Fame game this past season, but all of the events were cancelled due to COVID-19.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 will be enshrined Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021 in Canton as part of the 2021 Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls. Other events during the week of festivities will include the rescheduled Hall of Fame Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 5, the Gold Jacket Dinner on Aug. 6 and the Centennial Class of 2020 Enshrinement on Aug. 7.
[vertical-gallery id=658566][listicle id=658653][listicle id=658673][lawrence-newsletter]