FRISCO — Jason Witten and Darren Woodson, two of the best Cowboys players in the franchise’s storied history, were named among the 15 Modern Era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday morning.
The two players join a list that includes five first-time finalists in their first year of eligibility, with notables being quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and running back Frank Gore.
Witten was also named a finalist in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility. He was named to 10 Pro Bowls and two first-team Associated Press All-Pro teams. The tight end is fourth in league history in catches (1,228) and 21st in yards (13,046).
Woodson, a safety, has been named a finalist the last four years and enters his 18th year of eligibility. A player is eligible for 20 years before getting moved to the Seniors category.
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Woodson, the Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler (1,350), was named to the Pro Bowl five times and was a first-team All-Pro four times.
Joining them are four players who reached the final seven of voting last year, and based on the new rules automatically move to the finalists stage the next year: tackle Willie Anderson, receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Among the finalists are three players named from the Seniors category who played against the Cowboys during their Super Bowl runs in the 1970s and 1990s: 49ers running back Roger Craig and Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood. Bengals quarterback Kenny Anderson is also a finalist from the Seniors category.
Six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick is a finalist from the Coaching category and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is a finalist from the Contributor category.
Hall of Fame voters will pick the Class of 2026 before Super Bowl LX, with the announcement coming Feb. 5.
Up to five Modern-Era players for the Class of 2026 must receive a minimum positive vote of 80% for election.
Voting on these five players is conducted separately from the Seniors, Coaching and Contributors categories. A minimum of one person with a maximum of three may get elected from those categories.
There is no set number of enshrinees, but Hall of Fame voting bylaws state that anywhere from four to eight new members may be selected.
Modern-Era finalists
Willie Anderson, tackle
Drew Brees, quarterback
Jahri Evans, guard
Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver
Frank Gore, running back
Torry Holt, wide receiver
Luke Kuechly, linebacker
Eli Manning, quarterback
Terrell Suggs, linebacker
Adam Vinatieri, kicker
Reggie Wayne, wide receiver
Kevin Williams, defensive tackle
Jason Witten, tight end
Darren Woodson, safety
Marshal Yanda, guard/tackle
Seniors Category
Kenny Anderson, quarterback
Roger Craig, running back
L.C. Greenwood, defensive end
Coach Finalist
Bill Belichick
Contributor Finalist
Robert Kraft
Calvin Watkins is a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter and former president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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