Darren Woodson is once again on the hunt for his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Hall announced Wednesday the 50 modern era candidates who advanced from the original list of 167 after voting by a newly created screening committee. The list includes eight players in their first year of eligibility and 10 players who were finalists last year, including Woodson, but didn’t get enough support.
Woodson is the Dallas Cowboys’ all-time leader in tackles (1,350) having played in 178 games over 12 seasons. He has three Super Bowl rings, all with the Cowboys. Woodson also was named to five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro over three seasons. Woodson was inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2015.
Former Cowboys offensive lineman Erik Williams was also named a modern era candidate. He spent 10 of his 11 NFL seasons in Dallas, winning three Super Bowls alongside Woodson. Williams went to four Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro.
The full selection committee will next reduce the list of nominees to 25 semifinalists in about four weeks. Then 15 finalists will be picked for the annual meeting before the Super Bowl that will produce the new class. Players must get 80% of votes to get in with between three and five players getting in as modern era candidates.
There will also be votes for three seniors candidates, one contributor and one coach with between one and three people from that group getting into the Hall.
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly, Ravens star Terrell Suggs and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri led the group of candidates in their first year of eligibility.
Tight end Antonio Gates and defensive lineman Jared Allen headline the rest of group of returning finalists from last year along with receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne, offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, defensive backs Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison, and running back Fred Taylor.
Modern Era Candidates
QUARTERBACKS (2): Eli Manning, Steve McNair
RUNNING BACKS (6): Shaun Alexander, Tiki Barber, Eddie George, Marshawn Lynch, Fred Taylor*, Ricky Watters
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt*, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne*
TIGHT ENDS (2): Ben Coates, Antonio Gates*
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (12): Willie Anderson* (T), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans* (G), Olin Kreutz (C), Logan Mankins (G), Jeff Saturday (C), Joe Staley (T), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): John Abraham (DE also LB), Jared Allen* (DE), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT)
LINEBACKERS (5): Cornelius Bennett, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs
DEFENSIVE BACKS (6): Eric Allen* (CB), Kam Chancellor (S), Rodney Harrison* (S), Earl Thomas (S), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson* (S)
SPECIAL TEAMS (3): Gary Anderson (K), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Adam Vinatieri (K)
*-indicates Finalist for the Class of 2024
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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