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(PHOTO: Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots Hall of Famer Vince Wilfork reacts during a halftime celebration at Gillette Stadium during a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports) Two prominent former Patriots are one step closer to football immortality.
On Tuesday, The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its list of 28 semifinalists for The Class of 2023
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and safety Rodney Harrison made it to the semifinal round for the second time each.
Both players played vital roles on defenses that won Super Bowl titles (two each) and are members of the Patriots Hall of Fame.
“I think that Rodney Harrison one hundred percent belongs in the conversation,” Bill Belichick said after last season’s semifinalist announcement. “I’ve coached safeties that have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame, not taking anything away from them, but certainly Rodney Harrison belongs in that conversation, and he certainly belongs in the conversation with other players that are already there.”
Before his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Belichick had the following to say about Wilfork;
“Vince [Wilfork] is a really, very athletic guy,” Belichick said before his induction into the Hall at Patriot Place. “He can run, very light on his feet. I mean for such a big guy, I think good balance and tremendous playing strength. Great competitor, very smart, good communicator. Was a good team leader. Great team captain. So he brought a lot to this organization on and off the field for a long period of time.”
Wilfork and Harrison will look to join Richard Seymour, Andre Tippett, Nic Buoniconti, John Hannah, Mike Haynes, and Ty Law as tenured Patriots in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis, running back Fred Taylor, linebacker James Harrison, wide receiver Henry Ellard, wide receiver Torry Holt, and wide receiver Reggie Wayne all made the semifinals but saw limited time in New England.
The list of 15 finalists will be reduced to a final group in January 2023 before up to eight enshrinees are announced before Super Bowl LVII.
Patriots Hall of Famers @vincewilfork and Rodney Harrison are among the 28 semi-finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Four other semi-finalists spent some time with the @patriots – Henry Ellard, @jhharrison92 , @darrellerevis and @fredtaylor pic.twitter.com/99wrxe5QNy
— The Hall presented by RTX (@TheHall) November 23, 2022
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