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PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison and wide receiver Hines Ward are among the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, the hall announced on Wednesday.
Harrison is a semifinalist for the third time in his third season of eligibility. Ward has now been a semifinalist for nine consecutive seasons. Neither player has advanced beyond the semifinalist stage. The list of 25 semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 finalists in December.
In addition to the two Steelers, cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, tackle Willie Anderson, wide receiver Anquan Bolden, guard Jahri Evans, tight end Antonio Gates, safety Rodney Harrison, wide receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly, quarterback Eli Manning, defensive end Robert Mathis, wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., defensive end Terrell Suggs, running back Fred Taylor, defensive back Earl Thomas, running back Ricky Watters, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, tackle Richmond Webb, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, guard Steve Wisniewski, safety Darren Woodson and offensive lineman Marshal Yanda advanced as semifinalists.
The list of semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 finalists in December before the vote in February. Those 15 modern-era finalists will be considered alongside coaches, contributor’s committee and seniors committee finalists. A maximum of five modern-era candidates will be selected out of the group of 15. Longtime Steelers scouting executive and vice president Art Rooney Jr. is a semifinalist as a contributor.
The 25 semifinalists were selected from the 167 nominees announced in September. Former Steelers kicker Gary Anderson, inside linebacker James Farrior, nose tackle Casey Hampton, fullback John Kuhn, defensive back and kick returner Allen Rossum and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel were all among the list of nominees that did not advance to the semifinalist portion of the process. Anderson advanced through the first round of cuts in October.
Harrison is one of the team’s most legendary outside linebackers. Originally joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2002, it took him years to catch on with the squad full time and Harrison considered giving up football. But starting in 2004, he was a long-term fixture of the Pittsburgh defense that won Super Bowls XL and XLIII. Harrison had the most memorable play of the latter game, with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown just before the half serving as one of the top plays in NFL history. Harrison was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, he was a four-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. He was inducted into the Steelers’ Hall of Honor last season.
Ward’s 14-year NFL career was spent carving out a role as one of the most physical players in the league, 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...
