On Saturday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 modern-era finalists for the 2025 class of the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, that list did not include either of the former Pittsburgh Steelers who were semi-finalists.
Wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker James Harrison both missed the cut this time around.
For Harrison, the only player at his position who did make the cut was former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. In fairness to Suggs, he played 51 more career games and finished with 139 sacks compared to just 84.5 for Harrison. For the Steelers, Harrison is a legend but his road to the HOF isn’t going to be easy.
The argument for Ward is even tougher with three other wide receivers making the finals. Ward is one of only 14 wide receivers with at least 1,000 career receptions. Another of those is Reggie Wayne who is a finalist as is Steve Smith Sr. Only Torry Holt doesn’t have at least 1,000 receptions and all three finalists have more receiving yards. However, none of them have more receiving touchdowns.
🚨NEWS🚨
The Modern-Era Player Finalists have been selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, presented by @visualedgeit. #PFHOF25
Full story: https://t.co/vVCKLL6I6a pic.twitter.com/sbV8kmyrVA
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 28, 2024
