Overview
- Five first-year eligibles advanced: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Frank Gore and Jason Witten.
- Per Hall bylaws, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri automatically advanced to this semifinal stage based on last year’s voting.
- Returning contenders in the group include Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson.
- Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams reached the semifinal stage for the first time, joining a field reduced by a screening committee from a larger nominee pool to 52 and then to 26.
- Between four and eight modern-era players will be elected, with coaches, contributor and seniors finalists set to be named Dec. 3 before the final class is revealed at NFL Honors.