ICYMI: Willie McGinest Reacts To Being Named Finalist For Pro Football Hall of Fame

Robert Alvarez

1 year ago at 8:21 pm ET

Last Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its full list of nominees for its Class of 2022.

The full roster of nominees consisted of 122 total players from the modern era, ten of which played multiple seasons with the New England Patriots.

One of those ten was linebacker Willie McGinest who played 12 of his 15 pro seasons in Foxboro before finishing his playing career with the Cleveland Browns. McGinest played a vital role on defense for the first three Patriots Super Bowl championships.

Over his career, McGinest logged 86 career sacks, 96 tackles for loss, 16 forced fumbles, and 5 interceptions. In 2005, McGinest set the NFL record for most career postseason sacks with 16 and in a single game with 4.5 sacks during the Patriots wild card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

McGinest would earn induction into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2015 along with selections to both the Patriots All-1990’s and All-2000’s teams.

Over the weekend, McGinest reacted to the news of his nomination over Twitter with a message for his family, friends, and fans.

I'm so grateful to have been nominated for the @ProFootballHOF class of 2022. Wouldn't have had the career I did without the continued support from my family, friends, and of course my fans 🙌🏾 @Patriots @NFLLegends pic.twitter.com/dOSSd6hHQM

— Willie McGinest (@WillieMcGinest) September 26, 2021

In addition to McGinest’s nomination, other notable Patriots to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2022 modern-era list include first-timer Vince Wilfork, defensive end Richard Seymour, a Hall of Fame finalist in each of the last three seasons, Wes Welker, Ben Coates, Logan Mankins, Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, and Asante Samuel.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee will meet prior to Super Bowl LVI to narrow the list down to 18 finalists before deciding on its 2022 class.