CANTON, OH (WSAU) — The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the list of 26 modern-era players who are considered semi-finalists for the enshrinement with the Class of 2022, including a former Packers Safety.
LeRoy Butler is the only player with ties to the Green and Gold named on the list. He spent his entire career with the Packers from 1991-2001, and Wednesday’s announcement marks the 5th time he’s made it this far in the nomination process.
Other notable players to be considered alongside Butler include former Jaguars and Texans OL Tony Boselli, who would be the first player with ties to the Jags voted in. Buccaneers S Ronde Barber, Steelers WR Hines Ward, and DE Jared Allen are also semifinalists.
Notable players under their first year of consideration include Anquan Boldin, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, DeMarcus Ware, and Vince Wilfork. Each has been out of the league for five years, last playing in 2016.
The list will now be trimmed down to 15 finalists between now and the end of January. The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will then gather in Los Angeles ahead of Super Bowl LVI for their final vote.
There is no set number of players who will be called to be part of the Class of 2022. Bylaws call for between four and eight new players to be voted in.
Enshrinement will take place in early August as part of Hall of Fame week, which will also include the annual preseason Hall of Fame Game. Participants are to be determined, but usually feature two teams with ties to the class.
