On November 22, 2022, the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee narrowed down the list of over 100 nominees for induction into the Hall of Fame to 28. Among the list of nominees are five players named in their first year of eligibility. It was a very good week for Darrelle Revis who not only saw his name added to the list of HOF semifinalists; but has also had his name added to the New York Jets Ring of Honour. Jahri Evans, Joe Thomas, Dwight Freeney, and James Harrison are the remaining players on the semifinalists list in their first year of eligibility.
Henry Ellard and London Fletcher finally saw their names added to the list in their final year of eligibility as players in the modern era. Albert Lewis makes the list for the second time is also in his final year of eligibility for a modern era player.
The remainder of the list features players making a return with Torry Holt leading the way with his ninth try.
The remaining list of HOF semifinalists are:
Hines Ward
Darren Woodson
Ronde Barber
Zach Thomas
James Willis
Reggie Wayne
Eric Allen
Jared Allen
Willie Anderson
Anquan Boldin
Rodney Harrison
Devin Hester
Andre Johnson
Robert Mathis
Steve Smith Sr
Fred Taylor
DeMarcus Ware
Ricky Watters
and Vince Wilfork
The 28 semifinalists will be cut down to 15 finalists in January with the newest inductees announced on February 9 as a part of the NFL Honours. The new inductees will be enshrined in a gala weekend of events including the first game of the pre-season in August.
The finalists will join Coach Don Coryell, Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, and Ken Riley who have been announced previously.
Players must receive at least 80 percent of the votes from the selection committee in order to become a member of the Hall of Fame.
Meet the 2023 Modern Era NFL Hall of Fame semifinalists:
Cornerback Eric Allen spent from 1988 to 2001 in the NFL playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas). He makes the list for the third time.
Defensive end Jared Allen spent 12 years in the NFL and played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and the Carolina Panthers. This is his third year as a semifinalist.
Tackle Willie Anderson played 13 years in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. This is his third time on the list.
Cornerback and safety Ronde Barber spent his entire 25 year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is his sixth time making the list.
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin spent 13 years in the NFL playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions. This is his second time on the list.
Wide receiver Henry Ellard makes the list for the first time after spending 16 years in the NFL playing for the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins (now Commanders), and New England Patriots. This is his final year of eligibility in the modern era.
Guard Jahri Evans also makes the list for the first time after spending 12 years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers.
In his final year of eligibility, linebacker London Fletcher makes the list for the first time after spending 15 years in the NFL with the St Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins (now Commanders).
Defensive end Dwight Freeney spent 15 years in the NFL playing for the Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions. This is Freeney’s first time making the list of semifinalists.
Linebacker James Harrison is making the list for the first time after spending 15 years in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and the New England Patriots.
Safety Rodney Harrison spent 14 years in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and the New England Patriots. This is his second time making the semifinalist list.
Punt and kickoff return master and wide receiver Devin Hester spent eleven years in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and the Baltimore Ravens. This is his second time on the list.
Wide receiver Torry Holt leads the list of returning players to the list with nine after spending nine years in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles) and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wide receiver Andre Johnson spent 13 years in th NFL as a part of the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans. This is his second time on the semifinalist list.
In his last year of eligibility, cornerback Albert Lewis spent 15 years in the NFL as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas).
Defensive end and linebacker Robert Mathis spent his entire 13 year career with the Indianapolis Colts. This is his second time on the list.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis makes the list for the first time after spending 10 years in the NFL as a member of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Steve Smith Sr spent 15 years with the NFL as a member of the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens. This is his second time on the list.
Running back Fred Taylor played in the NFL for 10 years as a part of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots. This is his fourth year on the list.
Tackle Joe Thomas played his entire 10 year NFL career with the Cleveland Browns. This is his first year as a semifinalist.
Linebacker Zach Thomas spent 12 years in the NFL as a part of the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys. This is his fifth time on the list.
Wide receiver Hines Ward spent his entire 13 year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers This is his seventh time on the semifinalist list.
Linebacker and defensive end DeMarcus Ware played in the NFL for eleven years as a part of the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. This is his second time on the list.
Running back Ricky Watters played in the NFL for 10 years as a part of the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks. This is his third time on the list.
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne played his entire 13 year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. This is his fourth time on the list.
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork spent 12 years in the NFL playing for the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans. This is his second time on the list.
Linebacker Patrick Willis played for only seven years in the NFL; all of them for the San Francisco 49ers. This is his fourth time on the list.
Safety Darren Woodson spent his entire eleven year career with the Dallas Cowboys. This is his seventh time on the list.