Former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is a semifinalist for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, it was announced Tuesday morning.
Willis was named one of the 25 best modern candidates from an original list of 173 nominees. He has been to the final 15 the last two years.
Ricky Watters, who played for the 49ers from 1992-94, and wide receiver Anquan Boldin, a member of the 49ers from 2013-15, are among the semifinalists.
Two first-time qualifiers are in the semifinals: tight end Antonio Gates and defensive end Julius Peppers. The two last played in the 2018 season. To be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an individual must not participate as an active player for five consecutive seasons.
Running back Tiki Barber was the only other first-time semifinalist in his 12th year of eligibility.
Willis was a seven-time Pro Bowler in eight NFL seasons. He was named First Team All-Pro five times and was selected to the NFL All Decade Team for the 2010s.
The current 25-member list will be whittled down to 15 finalists to vote on among the 50-member selection committee.
A maximum of five modern-day candidates may be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The committee will select the 2024 class in advance of Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. The class will be announced live during the “NFL Honors” telecast, scheduled to air on Feb. 8.
In addition to the current nominees, the committee will also consider coach/contributor Buddy Parker and veteran finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell.
Although there is no fixed number for any western division, the nominating committee’s bylaws stipulate that four to nine new members will be elected.
Here is the list of 2024 Modern Semi Finalists:
–Eric Allen, C.B – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as semi-finalists: 4 – 2021-24)
–Jared Allen, d – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as semi-finalists: 4 – 2021-24)
–Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as semi-finalists: 4 – 2021-24)
–Tiki Barber, RB – 1997-2006 New York Giants | (Periods as semi-finals: 1 – 2024)
–Anquan Boldin, WR – 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2022-24)
–Jahri Evans, G – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as semi-finalists: 2 – 2023-24)
–London Fletcher, L.B – 1998-2001 St. Louis Rams, 2002-06 Buffalo Bills, 2007-2013 Washington Redskins | (Times as semi-finalists: 2 – 2023-24)
–Dwight Freeney, DE – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions | (Times as semi-finalists: 2 – 2023-24)
–Antonio Gates, T – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (times as semifinalists: 1 – 2024)
–Eddie George, RB – 1996-2003 Houston/Tennis Oilers/Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys (Semifinalist seasons: 2 – 2022, 2024)
–James Harrison, L.B – 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as semi-finalists: 2 – 2023-24)
–Rodney Harrison, s – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2021, 2023-24)
–Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2022-24)
–Torey Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Periods as Semi-Finals: 10 – 2015-2024)
–Andre Johnson, WR – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2022-24)
–Robert Mathis, DE/LB – 2003-2016 Indianapolis Cubs | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2022-24)
–Julius Peppers, DE – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers (Player Season: 1 – 2024)
–Steve Smith Sr., WR – 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2022-24)
–Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as semi-final: 5 – 2020-24)
–Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Periods as semi-finalists: 8 – 2017-2024)
–Ricky Waters, RB – 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Periods as Semi-Finals: 4 – 2020, 2022-24)
–Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Cubs | (Times as semi-final: 5 – 2020-24)
–Vince Wilfork, D.T – 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as semi-finalists: 3 – 2022-24)
–Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as semi-final: 5 – 2020-24)
–Darren Woodson, Sr – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as semi-finalist: 8 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2024)
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