Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is one of 52 Modern-Era players who have advanced in the voting process for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
This is Manning’s second year of eligibility for enshrinement into the Hall. Last year, Manning made it to the final round of 15 but fell short in the voting.
Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, is one of three quarterbacks in this year’s group. Drew Brees and Philip Rivers are the others.
From the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Candidates for the Hall in this category last could have appeared in a professional football game in the 2020 season.
In the next step of the process, each member of the Hall of Fame’s full 50-person Selection Committee will review the above list and cast a vote for the 25 nominees each believes should advance to the Semifinalist stage. The names of the 25 Semifinalists (plus ties, if any, for the 25th position) will be announced in about five weeks.
Because they reached the final list of seven Modern-Era Players under consideration for the Class of 2025 but were not elected, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri automatically advance to the final 15 this election cycle.
Reduction votes also are occurring in the Seniors, Coach and Contributor categories. On Tuesday, the Hall of Fame released the list of 12 Coach candidates still under consideration. Later this week, progress in the Seniors and Contributor categories will be announced.
Eventually, 20 Finalists will be presented at the Selection Committee’s annual meeting next year in advance of Super Bowl LX: 15 Modern-Era Players, three Seniors, one Coach and one Contributor. While there is no set number of enshrinees for any class, the Hall of Fame’s selection process bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members will be selected.
Manning is up against some serious competition this year with Brees and Rivers becoming eligible, as well as wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight end Jason Witten, and running back Frank Gore also joining the first-time eligibles.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants legend Eli Manning advanced in Hall of Fame selection process
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
