[jwplayer LTBigf40]
Not that it was much of a surprise, but former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne didn’t make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.
Very rarely does a player make it on their first try, especially a wide receiver. The same can’t be said for Wayne’s former teammate in running back Edgerrin James, who finally received the vote into the Hall of Fame after six tries and four times being a finalist.
The five modern-era players that were voted in included James, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, safety Troy Polamalu, guard Steve Hutchinson and safety Steve Atwater.
While Wayne didn’t make it into the Hall of Fame on his first go-round, there is plenty of reason to believe he eventually will be. He already made it into the round of finalists on his first try, which is a solid accomplishment and likely bodes well for his future.
Wayne certainly deserves to be in the Hall of Fame at some point. He’s 10th in NFL history in both receiving yards (14,345) and receptions (1,070). He was a six-time Pro Bowler and was selected as a first-team All-Pro in 2010.
Wayne is second to Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in Colts’ franchise history. He does, however, hold the franchise record for most games played (211).
The time will come for Wayne, and there’s a chance he joins his former quarterback in Peyton Manning, who will be headlining the 2021 class.