Each year around this time, the process for the following year’s Hall of Fame class begins. It starts with a long list of that year’s nominees.
That list was released this morning by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It consists of 167 NFL greats. Among them are 15 former Raiders players, which includes Marshawn Lynch who has been nominated in his first year of eligibility.
Here is the full list of 15 former Raiders among the modern era nominees:
QB Rich Gannon
RBs Charlie Garner, Marshawn Lynch
WR’s Jordy Nelson, Andre Rison
OL Lincoln Kennedy (T), Steve Wisniewski (G)
DL La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Chester McGlockton (DT), Justin Tuck (DE), Ted Washington (NT/DT)
LB’s NaVorro Bowman, Bill Romanowski
CB Eric Allen
P Shane Lechler
Marshawn spent two seasons with his hometown Oakland Raiders in 2017-18. He built his his Hall of Fame caliber career over his first eight seasons split between the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.
His best years were in Seattle where Beast Mode made four straight Pro Bowls, was named an All Pro once and won a Super Bowl. And should have won a second had Pete Carroll had called for him to get the ball near the goal line instead of notoriously calling for Russell Wilson to throw it only to have it intercepted.
Lynch retired after his tenth season in 2015, but came out of retirement for the chance to suit up and play in front of his hometown fans. Thus adding another 1300 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns to his resume before retiring for good in 2019 at the age of 33.
