Several Cowboys greats are on the list of 128 modern-era players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Among them, a recent superstar who is up for the very first time… as well as one of the franchise’s all-time legends who has been here many times before,
This year’s list of nominees includes quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running backs Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy, and tight end Greg Olsen as first-timers.
Also in his first year of eligibility is Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. An 11-time Pro Bowler, Witten is the club’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and games played is considered to have a strong chance at earning a gold jacket on his first try.
But safety Darren Woodson knows that the Hall of Fame voting process can be fickle. The Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler and five-time Pro Bowler has made it to the semifinalist stage nine times and has been a finalist the past three years running. Woodson is, unsurprisingly, up for enshrinement once again.
Other Cowboys on this year’s list of nominees include offensive tackle Erik Williams, linebacker Dat Nguyen, and defensive tackles La’Roi Glover and Jay Ratliff.
Eddie George, Randall Cunningham, and Jimmy Smith are also possibilities for Canton this year; each had a brief tenure with the Cowboys, though the main parts of their careers were spent with other teams.
A screening committee will reduce this year’s list of 128 modern-era players down to 50 names, which will be revealed in mid-October. Then the Hall’s selection committee takes over, paring the list down even further to 25 semifinalists. Another vote will create a roster of 15 modern-era player finalists. Of that group, at least three and no more than five will be chosen for induction in the Class of 2026.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys’ Jason Witten among first-time nominees for Hall of Fame; Woodson on list again
Reporting by Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
