CANTON, Ohio — Ten former players in their first year of eligibility, including defensive stars DeMarcus Ware and Robert Mathis and star receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin are among the 122-man field vying for a spot at the Hall. of professional football fame in 2022.
The list of former players in their first year of eligibility also includes Devin Hester, a kick return specialist, offensive linemen Jake Long and Nick Mangold, defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and defensive back Antonio Cromartie.
The list will be reduced to 25 semi-finalists in November and 15 finalists in January. Subsequently, the selection committee will meet and choose the players who will be immortalized in August 2022.
The list of nominees includes 65 players who played in the attack, 46 defensive players and 11 members of the special teams.
Nine finalists in 2021 remain candidates for potential induction in 2022. They include wide ends Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt, tackle Tony Boselli, defensive end Jared Allen, tackle Richard Seymour, linebackers Sam Mills and Zach Thomas and defensive backs Ronde Barber and LeRoy Butler.
Former wide receiver Cliff Branch was recently selected as a finalist in the senior category. The finalists in the contributor and coach categories are, respectively, Art McNally, a former umpire and chief officials, and Dick Vermeil, who won the Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams in 2000.
