Tag: NFL Hall of Fame

Willie Anderson issues statement after latest Hall of Fame snub

Willie Anderson with a message for Bengals fans.

Cincinnati Bengals great Willie Anderson seems closer to the Hall of Fame than ever, even after falling short of the 2024 class.

Anderson, addressing the near-miss on social media, asked fans not to go on a massive campaign as a reaction to the latest class: “Bengals fans and my supporters. I ask you a favor. Please let’s not start this Twitter campaign about me being Snubbed. Only 5 men can go . Every last man who got in into tonight deserves it. Please let’s not harass anyone and endless tweeting I was snubbed.”

A finalist for the third straight year, Anderson said in an interview after the unveiling of the class that he doesn’t get too up or down about the process now.

“I kind of told myself after the first year, when I saw that 330 phone call, I don’t want to get too up or too down,” Anderson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “They called me this year and told me I didn’t make it and I kind of had the same feeling. You can say you get used to it, but you’re always wondering how it’s going to be. It dwindles down to 25 to 15 and we sit and wait.

Barring a stunner, the Bengals Ring of Honor member, first-team All-Pro three times with four Pro Bowls will be in the mix again this time next year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals great Willie Anderson misses on Hall of Fame again

Willie Anderson will have to wait another year.

Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson will have to wait another year to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Anderson, a finalist once more, misses out on the 2024 class:

— Dwight Freeney
— Devin Hester
— Andre Johnson
— Julius Peppers
— Patrick Willis
— Randy Gradishar (senior)
— Steve McMichael (senior)

Anderson, the 10th overall pick from 1996 was a first-team All-Pro three times with four Pro Bowls, allowing 16 sacks over 195 games and blocking for some historic Corey Dillon rushing outputs. He is a member of the team’s Ring of Honor and was in his 11th year of eligibility and a finalist for the third consecutive year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

One player from each NFL team who should be in the Hall of Fame by now

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its 25 semifinalists for the Class of 2024. Which got us thinking: Who should already be in?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently revealed its list of 25 modern-era semifinalists who will be considered for the Class of 2024, which will be revealed before Super Bowl LVIII in February.

Among them are two first-year eligible candidates that made the semifinalist cut in tight end Antonio Gates and pass rusher Julius Peppers. There are a slew of other notable names who have been finalists in the past, including return specialist Devin Hester, wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. and Torry Holt and linebacker Patrick Willis.

There are also three senior finalists up for induction: Linebacker Randy Gradishar, defensive tackle Steve McMichael and wide receiver Art Powell.

That made us wonder: Who is one player, coach or owner from each NFL team who should be in the Hall of Fame by now? Because, let’s face it, there are multiple deserving parties who continue to wait their turn.

From multi-year semifinalists to those who have been waiting decades to those considered among the greatest ever at their position, our NFL Wire editors revealed their pick for one player, coach or owner who should be in the Hall of Fame by now.

3 former 49ers among 25 semifinalists for 2024 Hall of Fame class

Three former #49ers landed among the 25 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists for the class of 2024.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame moved into the next phase of the selection process for the class of 2024 and named 25 modern-era finalists. Among the 25 semifinalists are three former 49ers.

That trio is made up of linebacker Patrick Willis, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and running back Ricky Watters.

Willis is a semifinalist for the fifth time in five years. He’s reached this stage every year he’s been eligible after spending all eight of his NFL seasons with the 49ers. Willis’ resume speaks for itself with seven Pro Bowl trips, five First-Team All-Pro nods, a Defensive Rookie of the Year award and a placement on the Hall of Fame All-Decade team for the 2010s.

Boldin was with San Francisco for three years from 2013-15. Despite being in his mid-30s he was a very productive receiver for the 49ers with 237 catches, 3,030 yards and 16 touchdowns in 46 games. Boldin finished his 14-year career with 1,076 receptions for 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and a three-time Pro Bowler. This is his third time making the list of semifinalists in three years.

Watters has been a semifinalist four times now including once in 2020 and then every year from 2022-24. He was with the 49ers for his first four seasons and helped them win a Super Bowl in the 1994 campaign. Watters posted 2,840 rushing yards and 1,450 receiving yards across three years on the field for San Francisco. He also put up 33 total touchdowns while going to the Pro Bowl every year he was in red and gold. He finished his career with five total Pro Bowls, 10,463 rushing yards, 78 rushing touchdowns, 4,248 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.

The next step in the selection process includes a cutdown to 15 finalists, and then the Hall of Fame class will be announced Feb. 8 during the NFL Honors ceremony.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

14 former Dolphins left off list of 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed down their list of 173 nominees to 25 semifinalists.

Back in September, the Pro Football Hall of Fame released their list of 173 Modern-Era nominees for the 2024 class, which included 14 players who spent time with the Miami Dolphins.

On that list were Ricky Williams, Antonio Freeman, Irving Fryar, Chad Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker, Josh Sitton, Richmond Webb, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Karlos Dansby, Larry Izzo, Joey Porter, Troy Vincent and Matt Turk.

On Tuesday, the Hall of Fame trimmed the nominees down to 25 semifinalists, and unfortunately, none were former Dolphins.

The list of nominees includes Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Tiki Barber, Anquan Boldin, Jahri Evans, London Fletcher, Dwight Freeney, Antonio Gates, Eddie Geroge, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Robert Mathis, Julius Peppers, Smith Sr., Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters, Reggie Wayne, Vince Wilfork, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.

15 finalists will be announced at a later date.

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert shares Hall of Fame aspirations

The RB wants a gold jacket.

The Miami Dolphins’ 2023 campaign is off to a great start, as they’ve put together a 6-3 record through the first 10 weeks of the season.

A large chunk of the responsibility for the impressive beginning is due to the success of Miami’s running game with Raheem Mostert leading the pack.

The former Purdue Boilermaker leads the league in rushing touchdowns (11) while rushing for 605 yards on an NFL-best 5.6 yards per attempt. He’s also added another 151 yards and two scores on 19 receptions as an outlet for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

With this being Mostert’s best season to date, he recently shared on his podcast, “Relentlessly Motivated with Raheem Mostert,” that he has much loftier aspirations than just a strong season.

“I’ve got an opportunity to want to have a gold jacket,” Mostert said. “That’s my goal. Everybody has their accolades. They want the fame. They want the money. All of that’s fine and dandy. But, at the end of the day, what is your true purpose? And, for me, my true purpose is getting my name called on the stage, for the gold jacket, giving out my speech, and thanking everybody that helped me along the way. Because that’s what you want, at least for an NFL player, that’s what you should aspire to be.”

Mostert has a long way to go before getting his name called in Canton is a realistic expectation, but he’s put together a decent resume so far.

His efficiency is what’s eye-popping. His 5.2 yards per carry since joining the Dolphins has actually lowered his career number from 5.7 to 5.41. However, 5.41 yards per carry still has him as the most efficient back in the Super Bowl era with at least 500 attempts, just ahead of Bo Jackson and Jamaal Charles.

If he can stay healthy and continue producing for years to come, he might be able to make a case for himself.

Happy Birthday to Seahawks all-time leading rusher Shaun Alexander

Even 15 years after his departure, Alexander is still the all-time leading rusher in franchise history..

Today marks the 46th birthday of Seattle Seahawks all-time leading rusher Shaun Alexander. An inductee of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Alexander was drafted out of the University of Alabama by the Seahawks in 2000 and spent eight seasons in Seattle before finishing his NFL career with the Washington Redskins in 2009.

Alexander’s career highlights are plentiful but his 1,880 rushing yard, 27 touchdown, 2005 MVP season was undeniably his best.

 

According to Alexander’s Twitter account, seeing the return of the classic Seahawks uniforms brings back “great memories.” While usage of the term “great” doesn’t refer to a championship season for Alexander, it does indicate how strong and memorable his experiences were suiting up for the Seahawks. Even 15 years after his departure, Alexander is still the all-time leading rusher in franchise history.

In 2022, Seattle inducted Alexander into the Seahawks Ring of Honor alongside household names like quarterback Matt Hasselback, wide receiver Steve Largent and former head coach Mike Holmgren.

More Seahawks Wire stories

7 iDL Seattle could target in a trade

2023 practice squad report tracker

Joe Thomas talks Hall of Fame, and shares his all-time NFL offensive line

Browns legend offensive lineman, Joe Thomas, speaks with USA TODAY Sports about the Hall of Fame.

Joe Thomas was one the best offensive linemen in NFL history. 

His resume is stellar, including 10 Pro Bowls, six First-team All-Pro selections – he’s a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and this Saturday will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

With those credentials, there aren’t many better suited to provide an all-time offensive line list. 

Appearing with Mackenzie Salmon on USA TODAY’s Sports Seriously, the legendary Browns tackle ran down his top five. 

Thomas’ first selection was tackle Walter Jones, a nine-time Pro Bowler for the Seahawks who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2014. 

Immediately after that pick, Thomas told Salmon that you “can’t vote for yourself. It’s like student council in fourth grade.” 

Jones’ teammate Steve Hutchinson was chosen as one of the guard positions; along with Steve Hutchinson, who starred for the Seahawks, Vikings and Titans. 

Mike Webster, who won four Super Bowls with the Steelers is the center, with 11-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden rounding out the line at the other tackle position. 

Joe Thomas also told Sports Seriously about what it meant to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and even gave his thoughts on the upcoming Cleveland Browns season. 

To hear the entire Joe Thomas interview click on the link above.  

Badger Countdown: Former OT set to be inducted into NFL HOF as No. 73

Badger Countdown: Former OT set to be inducted into NFL HOF as No. 73

The 2023 college football season is on the horizon and the Badgers are now 73 days away from their season opener versus Buffalo at home on Sept. 2. In August’s NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony, former Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas, who wore number 73 with the Cleveland Browns, will be amongst those enshrined.

From Brookfield, Wisconsin, Thomas spent the 2003-2006 seasons as a member of the Badgers’ offensive line. After he went third overall to the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft, Thomas at one point made 167 straight starts for the Browns at left tackle, playing an NFL record 10,363 offensive snaps over that stretch.

Additionally, the offensive lineman was inducted into UW-Madison’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and he will now be a hall of famer at the highest level.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=]

Oregon faithful share memories after passing of NFL Hall of Famer and Duck legend

The football world at large mourned the loss of an Oregon Ducks and San Francisco 49ers legend.

Oregon Ducks’ legend Dave Wilcox passed away at the age of 80, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

An 11-year career with the San Francisco 49ers put Wilcox in NFL lore, cementing his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of the best linebackers in 49ers history.

For the Ducks, Wilcox was a two-way player in the 1960s, working as a blocker for fellow Oregon greats like Bob Berry and Mel Renfro, while also drawing the attention of NFL scouts on the defensive side of the ball. Though he only played for two seasons with the Ducks, Wilcox made his mark, and was eventually enshrined in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.

Once the news of his passing went public on Wednesday, fans from Eugene and across the nation in the football world mourned the loss, sharing memories of Wilcox on Twitter and lifting up his name.

Here are some of the best stories and words from football fans across the nation.