The Pro Football Hall of Fame moved into the next phase of the selection process for the class of 2024 and named 25 modern-era finalists. Among the 25 semifinalists are three former 49ers.
That trio is made up of linebacker Patrick Willis, wide receiver Anquan Boldin and running back Ricky Watters.
Willis is a semifinalist for the fifth time in five years. He’s reached this stage every year he’s been eligible after spending all eight of his NFL seasons with the 49ers. Willis’ resume speaks for itself with seven Pro Bowl trips, five First-Team All-Pro nods, a Defensive Rookie of the Year award and a placement on the Hall of Fame All-Decade team for the 2010s.
Boldin was with San Francisco for three years from 2013-15. Despite being in his mid-30s he was a very productive receiver for the 49ers with 237 catches, 3,030 yards and 16 touchdowns in 46 games. Boldin finished his 14-year career with 1,076 receptions for 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and a three-time Pro Bowler. This is his third time making the list of semifinalists in three years.
Watters has been a semifinalist four times now including once in 2020 and then every year from 2022-24. He was with the 49ers for his first four seasons and helped them win a Super Bowl in the 1994 campaign. Watters posted 2,840 rushing yards and 1,450 receiving yards across three years on the field for San Francisco. He also put up 33 total touchdowns while going to the Pro Bowl every year he was in red and gold. He finished his career with five total Pro Bowls, 10,463 rushing yards, 78 rushing touchdowns, 4,248 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.
The next step in the selection process includes a cutdown to 15 finalists, and then the Hall of Fame class will be announced Feb. 8 during the NFL Honors ceremony.
