Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward advanced to become a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the 10th time that Ward has been a semifinalist, but three other former Steelers did not, including former semifinalist James Harrison.
Ward is among the 26 semifinalists announced by the Hall of Fame on Tuesday for the Class of 2026 that will be cut to 15 finalists later this year before the full Hall of Fame selection committee votes on the class in February.
Ward has been a semifinalist for nine consecutive years, but has never advanced beyond that stage in the voting process.
Harrison, who was eligible for a fourth time, has been a semifinalist twice before, including last season, but he did not advance in the voting this time around.
Pouncey advanced in the voting process but fell short of the semifinalist mark in his first season of eligibility. Anderson was nominated in 2025, but did not advance in the process last year.
Ward’s 14-year NFL career was spent carving out a role as one of the most physical players on the Steelers, even as a wide receiver. The Korean-born Ward won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and was the MVP of Super Bowl XL after his game-sealing touchdown reception. His impact as a blocker was so well-known that the NFL changed its rules to prevent blindside blocks downfield, which has come to be known as the Hines Ward Rule. Ward was named to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time All-Pro and is on the Steelers’ All-Time Team. He is currently serving as the wide receivers coach at Arizona State.
The 15 modern-era finalists will be presented to the full committee at the selection meeting in advance of Super Bowl LX, along with the finalists from the contributors, coaches and senior players committees. Between four and eight new members will be selected at that meeting and the Class of 2026 will be unveiled in February.
L.C. Greenwood has advanced in the seniors committee voting as a semifinalist, Art Rooney Jr. is a semifinalist as a contributor, and Buddy Parker is a coaching semifinalist.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Hines Ward Advances in Hall of Fame Voting, Three Other Steelers Do Not
