Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams, a five-time first-team All-Pro selection and a member of the NFL’s Team of the Decade for the 2000s, is among the 128 modern-era players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, the Hall announced Wednesday morning.
The ninth pick of the 2003 draft, Williams played 11 of his 13 seasons with the Vikings. In his first seven seasons, Williams earned all five All-Pro selections, all six Pro Bowls and notched 48½ of his 63 career sacks.
Williams is one of 22 defenders on the NFL’s Team of the 2000s. All but four are in the Hall of Fame. Williams, however, has never been among the 25 semifinalists as he enters his sixth year of eligibility.
Thirteen first-year eligible players are on the list of 128, including Larry Fitzgerald Jr., a Minneapolis native and Holy Angels graduate. Considered a likely first-ballot selection, Fitzgerald played all 17 seasons with the Cardinals and ranks second in NFL history in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492) and sixth in receiving touchdowns (121).
Quarterbacks Drew Brees, another likely first-ballot choice, and Philip Rivers also are on the list.
Other players with ties to the Vikings on the list are quarterbacks Randall Cunningham, Rich Gannon and Donovan McNabb; center Matt Birk; and kicker Gary Anderson.
Four players on the list — Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson, Rams receiver Torry Holt, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and NFL career scoring leader Adam Vinatieri — automatically advance to the final 15 because they were among the final seven a year ago. Only three players — Antonio Gates, Eric Allen and Vikings edge rusher Jared Allen — received enough votes from the Hall’s 50-member selection committee.
