Former Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall and running back Chuck Foreman have made the cut from 52 to 34 former players still being considered for the three finalist spots from the Seniors category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, the Hall announced this morning.
The nine Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee members, who also serve on the 50-person selection committee, will trim the field from 34 to nine over the next four weeks. After that, they’ll meet virtually to decide the three finalists that will be considered by the full selection committee.
Seniors under consideration for 2026 played their final seasons in 2000 or before.
Marshall, who died June 3, defined the term “NFL ironman” during a 20-year career (1960-79) in which he played the final 19 as an original member of the Vikings. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Marshall’s 289 consecutive games started, including playoffs, is second all-time behind Brett Favre’s 321. Marshall’s 301 consecutive games played, including playoffs, is third behind punter Jeff Feagles (363) and Favre (323).
A dual-threat running back who was ahead of his time, the 74-year-old Foreman won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1973 and finished third in the Associated Press’ 1974 NFL MVP voting. A five-time Pro Bowl pick and 1975 first-team All-Pro, Foreman played seven seasons with the Vikings and a final year in New England. He led the NFL in receptions in 1975 (73), touchdowns from scrimmage in 1974 (15) and 1976 (14) and total touchdowns from 1974-76 (51).
Other seniors in the field of 52 with ties to the Vikings are running back Roger Craig, whose 11-year career ended with two seasons in Minnesota (1992-93) and receiver Art Powell, whose career ended in 1968 with one game with the Vikings.
The 34 players are:
Quarterbacks: Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Roman Gabriel.
