3 Colts icons make shortlist for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Three Indianapolis Colts icons are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that it has trimmed its list of Modern Era candidates to 26 semifinalists, including three former Colts players: defensive end Robert Mathis, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Robert Mathis has been a semifinalist in each of his five years of Hall of Fame eligibility but has not yet advanced as a finalist. Mathis, who spent his entire 14-year career with the Colts, holds the NFL record for forced fumbles (52) and strip-sacks (47).

Reggie Wayne has been a semifinalist for all seven of his years of eligibility and has been a finalist in each of the last six years. Wayne, who played 14 seasons with the Colts, is one of nine players in NFL history with at least 1,000 receptions, 14,000 yards, and 80 touchdowns.

Adam Vinatieri, in his second year of eligibility, was a finalist for the Class of 2025 and has again made the semifinalist cut this year. Vinatieri is the NFL’s all-time leader in points scored (2,673) and is widely regarded as one of the best kickers in NFL history.

Two other former Colts, running back Frank Gore and quarterback Philip Rivers, also advanced as semifinalists. Gore played for the Colts from 2015 to 2017, while Rivers was with the team in 2020.

The full list of 26 semifinalists includes:

• QB Drew Brees
• QB Eli Manning
• QB Philip Rivers
• RB Frank Gore
• RB Fred Taylor
• WR Larry Fitzgerald
• WR Torry Holt
• WR Steve Smith Jr.
• WR Hines Ward
• WR Reggie Wayne
• TE Jason Witten
• OL Willie Anderson
• OL Lomas Brown
• OL Jahri Evans
• OL Richmond Webb
• OL Steve Wisniewski
• OL Marshal Yanda
• DL Robert Mathis
• DL Vince Wilfork
• DL Kevin Williams
• LB Luke Kuechly
• LB Terrell Suggs
• DB Rodney Harrison
• DB Earl Thomas
• DB Darren Woodson
• K Adam Vinatieri

Wayne and Vinatieri are among 12 returning finalists from the Class of 2025, including Manning, Taylor, Holt, Smith, Anderson, Evans, Yanda, Kuechly, Suggs and Woodson.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce 15 modern era finalists later this year to be considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Those 15 finalists will be considered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee ahead of Super Bowl LX, and between three and five modern era finalists will be chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

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