A pair of former Green Bay Packers defensive backs are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2021.
LeRoy Butler and Charles Woodson were both named finalists on Tuesday.
Butler and Woodson join Jared Allen, Ronde Barber, Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, Torry Holt, Calvin Johnson, John Lynch, Peyton Manning, Clay Matthews Jr., Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Zach Thomas and Reggie Wayne as the 15 modern-era finalists.
Butler, now in his 15th season of eligibility, is a finalist for the second straight year. Woodson is a first-time finalist in his first year of eligibility.
Up to five players from the 15 finalists will be elected to the Hall of Fame. Players need 80 percent of the vote to be inducted.
Butler played for the Packers from 1990 to 2001. Woodson played for the Packers from 2006 to 2012.
Congratulations to S @leap36 on being selected as a Finalist for the #PFHOF21 Class!@packers pic.twitter.com/JQCjGYFIUR
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 5, 2021
The Hall of Fame’s profile on Butler:
One of the most prolific defensive backs in the Packers’ storied history and among premier safeties of his era … Led the team in interceptions five times … Key member of defense that guided team’s resurgence that included seven playoff appearances in nine-season span … Helped lead Packers to three straight division titles (1995-97) and two Super Bowl appearances … Started at strong safety in three consecutive NFC Championship Games and Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII … Had seven tackles and one sack in Packers’ 35-21 victory over New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI … Intercepted a pass in every season but his last … Career stats: 38 interceptions for 533 yards … Only pick-six came on 90-yard return versus San Diego Chargers, Sept. 15, 1996 … Registered 20.5 career sacks and one fumble recovery for a TD … Selected to four Pro Bowls … All-Pro four times (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
Congratulations to DB @CharlesWoodson on being selected as a Finalist for the #PFHOF21 Class! @Raiders | @packers pic.twitter.com/m5aebW5OmM
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 5, 2021
The Hall of Fame’s profile for Woodson:
Made immediate impact for Raiders after being drafted fourth overall in 1998, earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award and a Pro Bowl berth … Intercepted at least one pass in each of his 18 seasons (one year shy of Darrell Green’s NFL-record 19) … Totaled 65 career interceptions, tied for fifth in League history … Fourth in NFL history for passes defensed with 183 … Twice led NFL in interceptions (nine in 2009; seven in 2011) … In 2014, became first player in NFL history with 50 career interceptions and 20 sacks … Forced 33 fumbles and recovered 18 … AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 … Member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s … First-Team All-Pro three times … Elected to nine Pro Bowls … Appeared in Super Bowl XXXVII with Oakland, contributing five tackles and an interception in 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay … Contributed two tackles in 31-25 Green Bay victory over Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV … Co-holder of NFL record with 13 career defensive touchdowns … One of only two players (with Hall of Famer Marcus Allen) to win Heisman Trophy, AP Rookie of the Year, AP Player of the Year and a Super Bowl title in his career.
The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will meet on January 19 to vote. The 2021 Hall of Fame class will be announced during the “NFL Honors” on the eve of Super Bowl LV.
[lawrence-related id=53425,53383]