INDIANAPOLIS – The field of modern-era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 has been whittled to 52, yet continues to have a definite Colts flavor.
Three long-time, prolific players for the franchise, along with a fourth who boosted his Hall of Fame stock in Indy, made the latest cut, which was released Wednesday.
Still with the opportunity to have a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio:
- Wide receiver Reggie Wayne
- Kicker Adam Vinatieri
- Defensive end Robert Mathis
- Running back Frank Gore
A fifth individual, defensive end Simeon Rice, appeared in two games for the Colts in 2007, the final season of his 12-year career.
The initial list of modern-era candidates included 128 individuals, and a Hall of Fame screening committee narrowed that to 52. The 50-member Selection Committee (I am a member) will pare the list to 25, which will be announced in approximately five weeks. That list will be narrowed to 15 Finalists.
Four players who advanced to the final seven for the Class of 2025 automatically advance to the Final 15: Vinatieri, offensive tackle Willie Anderson, wideout Torry Holt and linebacker Luke Kuechly.
Vinatieri nearly was enshrined in his first year of eligibility earlier this year, but fell short of receiving the required 80% support.
Wayne and Jerry Rice are the only players in NFL history to rank in the top 10 in receptions and yards in the regular season and postseason. He’s in his seventh year of eligibility and has reached the Final 15 in each of the previous six years.
Vinatieri established himself as the most prolific and clutch kicker in league history in a career that spanned 10 seasons in New England and 14 more in Indy.
Mathis is the Colts’ career sacks leader with 123 sacks, which is tied-20th in NFL history, and finished with a league-record 52 forced fumbles.
Gore’s 16-year career included three seasons with the Colts during which he rushed for 2,953 yards. He ranks No. 3 in league history with 16,000 rushing yards.
The 52 (x – denotes first year of eligibility, y-denotes 2025 Finalist):
Quarterbacks: Drew Brees-x, Philip Rivers-x, Eli Manning-y.
Running backs: Warren Dunn, Eddie George, Frank Gore-x, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Neal, Fred Taylor-y, Ricky Watters.
Wide receivers: Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald-x, Torry Holt-y, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Jr.-y, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne-y.
Tight ends: Greg Olsen-x, Jason Witten-x.
Offensive linemen: Willie Anderson-y, Lomas Brown, Ruben Brown, Jahri Evans-y, Olin Kreutz, Nick Mangold, Logan Mankins, Maurkice Pouncey-x, Richmond Webb, Erik Williams, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda-y
Defensive linemen: John Abraham, Robert Mathis, Haloti Ngata, Simeon Rice, Vince Wilfork, Kevin Williams.
Linebackers: London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly-y, Terrell Suggs-y.
Defensive backs: Rodney Harrison, Asante Samuel, Earl Thomas, Charles Tillman, Troy Vincent, Darren Woodson-y.
Punters/kickers: Gary Anderson, Shane Lechler, Adam Vinatieri-y.
*Special teams: Brian Mitchell.