Tag: Steve Wisnieski

Couple Raiders legends remain among modern-era semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

The latest trim down to 25 modern-era semi-finalists, leaves two Raiders nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Wednesday the Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed their list of nominees down to 25 semi-finalists. Among them are a couple Raiders legends.

Making the list are Raiders greats CB Eric Allen and G Steve Wisniewski.

Allen finished out his career in Oakland, playing for the Raiders for four seasons from 1998-2001. This is his fifth time being named a semi-finalist.

Wisniewski played his entire career for the Raiders, starting in Los Angeles in 1989 and retiring after the 2001 season. This is his second time as a semifinalist.

This round saw Marshawn Lynch trimmed from the list of nominees for the Raiders. He was in his first year of eligibility.

This list will be trimmed down to a shorter list of finalists later this year. They will be combined with the senior finalists for a list of 20 modern-era and senior finalists, with the list of inductees announced prior to Super Bowl LIX in February.

3 Raiders legends advance among modern-era nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025

The list of modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025 has been trimmed to 50.

Wednesday the Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed their list of modern-era finalists for the class of 2025 to 50. Among them are three Raiders legends.

The three Raiders to advance in the voting are RB Marshawn Lynch, G Steve Wisniewski, and CB Eric Allen.

Here is the entire list of 50 modern-era nominees:

QUARTERBACKS (2): Eli Manning, Steve McNair

RUNNING BACKS (6): Shaun Alexander, Tiki Barber, Eddie George, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Taylor*, Ricky Watters

WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt*, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne*

TIGHT ENDS (2): Ben Coates, Antonio Gates*

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (12): Willie Anderson* (T), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans* (G), Olin Kreutz (C), Logan Mankins (G), Jeff Saturday (C), Joe Staley (T), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): John Abraham (DE also LB), Jared Allen* (DE), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT)

LINEBACKERS (5): Cornelius Bennett, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs

DEFENSIVE BACKS (6): Eric Allen* (CB), Kam Chancellor (S), Rodney Harrison* (S), Earl Thomas (S), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson* (S)

SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Gary Anderson (K), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Adam Vinatieri (K)

From here the list will be trimmed to 25 semi-finalists. That list will be compiled in about four weeks.

First year eligible Marshawn Lynch one of 15 former Raiders among Hall of Fame nominees

Marshawn Lynch has been nominated for the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He is one of 15 former Raiders to make the list

Each year around this time, the process for the following year’s Hall of Fame class begins. It starts with a long list of that year’s nominees.

That list was released this morning by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It consists of 167 NFL greats. Among them are 15 former Raiders players, which includes Marshawn Lynch who has been nominated in his first year of eligibility.

Here is the full list of 15 former Raiders among the modern era nominees:

QB Rich Gannon
RBs Charlie Garner, Marshawn Lynch
WR’s Jordy Nelson, Andre Rison
OL Lincoln Kennedy (T), Steve Wisniewski (G)
DL La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Chester McGlockton (DT), Justin Tuck (DE), Ted Washington (NT/DT)
LB’s NaVorro Bowman, Bill Romanowski
CB Eric Allen
P Shane Lechler

Marshawn spent two seasons with his hometown Oakland Raiders in 2017-18. He built his his Hall of Fame caliber career over his first eight seasons split between the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.

His best years were in Seattle where Beast Mode made four straight Pro Bowls, was named an All Pro once and won a Super Bowl. And should have won a second had Pete Carroll had called for him to get the ball near the goal line instead of notoriously calling for Russell Wilson to throw it only to have it intercepted.

Lynch retired after his tenth season in 2015, but came out of retirement for the chance to suit up and play in front of his hometown fans. Thus adding another 1300 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns to his resume before retiring for good in 2019 at the age of 33.