Hines Ward hung up the cleats in 2012, and now has a chance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Advertisement
They both could be among the next five in line – although Davis may have to watch out for first-year nominee LaDainian Tomlinson. Those three, along with Jason Taylor, Brian Dawkins, Chad Johnson and Shaun Alexander, were the first-time eligible players who made the nomination list.
The complete list of Modern Era nominees includes a total of 94 individuals.
Among the 2016 finalists back on the ballot are former Colts running back Edgerrin James, Ben Davis alum Morten Andersen, along with Kurt Warner, Terrell Davis, Terrell Owens, Joe Jacoby, Alan Faneca, Steve Atwater, John Lynch and coach Don Coryell.
The list of 2017 nominees will be trimmed down to 25 semifinalists in November, and then 15 finalists in January. The final vote takes place February 4 before Super Bowl LI in Houston.
The 2006 NFL Most Valuable Player, Tomlinson was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and six-time All Pro across 11 seasons with the Chargers and New York Jets.
Under bylaws of the HOF, a minimum of four people have to be inducted each year, with a maximum of eight.
Advertisement
The former Georgia wide receiver was one of nine first-year nominees for the prestigious honor on Wednesday following a 14-year career in the NFL.
