OT: Harrison, Vinatieri, Wilfork Advance as Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of '26 Semifinalists

[Ian]

Just saw this come up in the feed:

Harrison, Vinatieri, Wilfork Advance as Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of '26 Semifinalists

Rodney Harrison, Adam Vinatieri and Vince Wilfork are among 26 semifinalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.

www.patriots.com

 

[sb1]

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/11/26-modern-era-players-named-as-semifinalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame%E2%80%99s-class-of-2026/

 

[Rob0729]

Congrats Rodney, Adam, and Vince. That said I don't think any of them get in, at least not this year. Here is why:

Harrison - I think his dirty player rep will keep him out of the Hall.
Vinatieri - He will get in, but I don't see them ever making a kicker a first ballot HOFer.
Wilfork - I just don't think he has the numbers nor that people consider him elite enough for the Pro Football HOF. It is tough to get in as a DT to begin with because it isn't a stat position.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Boy, if Vinatieri can't get in on the first ballot as a kicker, no one ever will.

Agreed that Harrison's rep will keep him out of a spot he deserves.

Kindof like kickers, I don't think NTs like Wilfork will ever get the credit they deserve. If a NT is doing his job you just don't hear his name a lot.

 

[Steve102]

Favorite Big Vince moment.

 

[signbabybrady]

We know Brady and Gronk and such are going in but until one of these 3 and really at least 2 of these 3 get in then the HoF is just a piece of crap.

Really all 3 should be in and we should be hoping for Willie or Jules or something. But we can't even wish for these guys until the others get in.

 

[maust]

Favorite Big Vince moment.

• Media buffoon: Did you need oxygen?
• VW: No. I am a well-conditioned athlete (laughing). I didn't need any oxygen. I was good to go

 

[Steve102]

• Media buffoon: Did you need oxygen?
• VW: No. I am a well-conditioned athlete (laughing). I didn't need any oxygen. I was good to go

McCourty with the block in the back. Or tackle, depending on your point of view.

 

[maust]

McCourty with the block in the back. Or tackle, depending on your point of view.

C'mon man, just helpin' a brother out

 

[jmt57]

I think it has been long enough now that Rodney's reputation as a 'dirty' player has passed.
It has also been aided by the fact that he is on tv every week, and he comes across as a sincere, likeable guy.
He also would not be the first former player who was aided by keeping his name on people's minds, by being on tv.

The guy is the first player in NFL history to have 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, was a first team All pro with two different teams, won two super bowl rings, holds the NFL record for sacks by a defensive back, and is in two team's Hall of Fames.

Come on, how is that not enough?


There is precedent as well. Much was made of Ronde Barber being one of only two players with 40 picks and 20 sacks the last few years, and he was inducted to the HoF in 2023. Yes, he was/is deserving, as he also holds the NFL record for sacks by a CB. But as good as that Tampa defense was, they only won one super bowl - and Rodney's individual records are similar, if not better.

If Ronde Barber is in the Hall of Fame - something I have no problem with - then Rodney Harrison absolutely deserves to be as well.
You cannot make a reasonable argument for Barber to be in, but not Harrison.

 

[jmt57]

Vince's biggest hurdle is that he did not play a position that accumulates gawdy stats.

But if the voters can recognize the talent of centers and guards and vote them into the Hall, they should be able to do the same for a two-gap defensive tackle that owns two rings. Ron Borges stating his case doesn't help matters though.

 

[maust]

I think it has been long enough now that Rodney's reputation as a 'dirty' player has passed.
It has also been aided by the fact that he is on tv every week, and he comes across as a sincere, likeable guy.
He also would not be the first former player who was aided by keeping his name on people's minds, by being on tv.

The guy is the first player in NFL history to have 30 sacks and 30 interceptions, was a first team All pro with two different teams, won two super bowl rings, holds the NFL record for sacks by a defensive back, and is in two team's Hall of Fames.

Come on, how is that not enough?


There is precedent as well. Much was made of Ronde Barber being one of only two players with 40 picks and 20 sacks the last few years, and he was inducted to the HoF in 2023. Yes, he was/is deserving, as he also holds the NFL record for sacks by a CB. But as good as that Tampa defense was, they only won one super bowl - and Rodney's individual records are similar, if not better.

If Ronde Barber is in the Hall of Fame - something I have no problem with - then Rodney Harrison absolutely deserves to be as well.
You cannot make a reasonable argument for Barber to be in, but not Harrison.

I agree with every word, just like I did last year and the year before and the year before and the year before and... (well, you know)

 

[maust]

Ron Borges stating his case doesn't help matters though.

I'm fairly sure the only person Ron Borges is interested in helping is Ron Borges

 

[jmt57]

Vinatieri should get in eventually.
The NFL has been around long enough that they can induct a third kicker.
Besides the iconic game-winning kicks, he does hold several NFL records, including most points scored in his career and consecutive field goals made.
The list of people with four super bowl rings that are not in Canton has to be very short.

It will be helpful for his case if the Patriots and Colts would both put him into their team's HoF first.

 

[Triumph]

Whats going on with Bobby K?

 

[maust]

It will be helpful for his case if the Patriots and Colts would both put him into their team's HoF first.

I think that now being in two teams HoF thing will put Rodney over the top this year. If the momentum from the Chargers enshrining him this year doesn't get him over the top I fear he'll be waiting on the Senior Committee

 

[Huckleberry1]

I want Vince in the HOF. He's the only player I can think of that I never came away from a game saying he played poorly throughout his career until he tore his Achilles at the end of it. On top that he was double teamed his entire career and still dominated. That's the definition of a hall of famer.

 

[TommyD4207]

Congrats Rodney, Adam, and Vince. That said I don't think any of them get in, at least not this year. Here is why:

Harrison - I think his dirty player rep will keep him out of the Hall.
Vinatieri - He will get in, but I don't see them ever making a kicker a first ballot HOFer.
Wilfork - I just don't think he has the numbers nor that people consider him elite enough for the Pro Football HOF. It is tough to get in as a DT to begin with because it isn't a stat position.

They all deserve to get in, they were all the very best in the league at their respective positions for multiple years.

Rodney Harrison not being in already is a borderline crime against humanity. The. Best. Safety. from the 90s and 2000s. Better than Dawkins, better than all of the ones in already.

 

[TommyD4207]

Vince's biggest hurdle is that he did not play a position that accumulates gawdy stats.

But if the voters can recognize the talent of centers and guards and vote them into the Hall, they should be able to do the same for a two-gap defensive tackle that owns two rings. Ron Borges stating his case doesn't help matters though.

I mean, it's not like Richard Seymour had 150 sacks or something, and he still got in.

 

[sb1]

Feels like Harrison isn't getting in at all and that's a shame.

Many of the guys in already aren't exactly angels on the field themselves