Former Vikings five-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time in his sixth year of eligibility.
Announced by the Hall on Tuesday morning, the list of 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2026 includes five players in their first year of eligibility, 19 players who were semifinalists a year ago and two players not in their first year of eligibility who have reached this stage in the process for the first time — Williams, a 2000s All-Decade member who retired following the 2015 season, and former longtime Detroit Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown, who retired after the 2002 season.
Among the list of five semifinalists in their first year of eligibility is Larry Fitzgerald Jr., a Minneapolis native and Holy Angels graduate who played all 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and ranks second all time in NFL history in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492), and sixth in receiving touchdowns (121). He’s a likely first-ballot choice for the Class of 2026.
Williams’ case has gained momentum of late as more attention has been focused on the fact he’s one of only five eligible players in NFL history with an All-Decade honor and five or more first-team All-Pro selections who is not in the Hall of Fame. The other four:
- Lavern Dilweg, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 1920s All-Decade team.
- Grover Ox Emerson, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 1930s All-Decade team.
- Del Shofner, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 1960s All-Decade team.
- Luke Kuechly, a five-time first-team All-Pro on the 2010s All-Decade team.
Kuechly, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt and Adam Vinatieri became automatic semifinalists when they reached the top seven a year ago but did not receive the necessary 80% vote from the Hall’s 50-member selection committee.
Joining Fitzgerald as first-year eligible semifinalists are Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Philip Rivers and Jason Witten. Other semifinalists are Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda, Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Darren Woodson, Terrell Suggs, Robert Mathis and Vince Wilfork.
The original list of candidates for the Class of 2026 had 128 players. The Hall’s Modern Era Players Screening Committee reduced that number to 52. The 50-member selection committee chose the 26 semifinalists and will reduce that number to 15 finalists later this year.
The ninth pick of the 2003 NFL draft, Williams played 11 of his 13 seasons with the Vikings. In his first eight seasons, Williams earned all five of his All-Pro selections, all six Pro Bowl nods and notched 49½ of his 63 career sacks.
