Narrowing down the worthiest of individuals who make the Hall of Fame is a tall task, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame has gotten this year’s class to 15 individuals.
It was announced that this year’s modern-era finalists have been narrowed down to 15 after starting with 103 nominees back in September. Among the 15 finalists are some impressive names.
Perhaps the most recognizable name is tight-end, Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez played from 1997-2013 with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons and is widely-considered not just the best tight end of all time, but one of the best pass catchers period.
Another big name finalist is former Ravens safety, Ed Reed. One of the best Ravens ever, Reed played for eleven seasons in Baltimore, highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVII win. The hard-hitting safety also split a season in 2013 with the Texans and the Jets.
Other notable names include dynamic Rams and 49ers receiver Issac Bruce, Buccaneers and Broncos safety and current 49ers GM, John Lynch, and running back Edgerrin James, who’s best remembered for his years in Indianapolis and Arizona.
The full list can be seen here:
The Class of 2019 Modern-Era Finalists have been announced! #PFHOF19
Learn more about the finalists: https://t.co/FQiKT6NL99 pic.twitter.com/B94oDszg8G
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) January 3, 2019
Along with the modern-era players are two contributor finalists (Broncos’ owner Pat Bowlen and former Cowboys’ VP of player personnel and NFL.com contributor Gil Brandt) and one senior finalist (1960s Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs safety Johnny Robinson).
All finalists will be voted on February 2, with an announcement of the class to come during the annual NFL Honors show the night before the Super Bowl.
A class of four to eight inductees is usually customary, although last year’s class was on the higher end with eight new members enshrined.
One potential question is whether any member of this class will skip the Canton ceremony, following in the footsteps of Terrell Owens. One will have to wait until August for Hall of Fame Weekend to find out.
