The Pro Football Hall of Fame whittled its list of candidates for the Class of 2023 down to 28 semifinalists on Tuesday.
Among those to make the cut included three former 49ers: linebacker Patrick Willis, running back Ricky Watters and wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
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Willis is a semifinalist for the fourth time since he was first eligible in 2020. Over eight NFL seasons, Willis compiled 950 tackles, 60 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro.
Watters began his NFL career as a second-round pick by the 49ers in 1991. He rushed for 1,013 as a rookie, which ended up being the first of seven 1,000-yard seasons for the Notre Dame product.
Boldin arrived in San Francisco as a 33-year-old receiver in 2013. He hauled in 237 catches for 3,030 yards with the 49ers from 2013-15 before wrapping up his career with the Detroit Lions in 2016.
Fifteen finalists will emerge from this batch of 28 names with the next reveal coming in January.
San Francisco 49ers
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will then officially be named during 2022 NFL Honors, which takes place in the days leading up to Super Bowl LVII.
Tuesday's semifinalist announcement begins the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 long journey to enshrinement next August in Canton, Ohio.
Here's the complete semifinalist list for Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2023:
- Eric Allen, cornerback
- Jared Allen, defensive end
- Willie Anderson, offensive tackle
- Ronde Barber, cornerback
- Anquan Boldin, wide receiver
- Henry Ellard, wide receiver
- Jahri Evans, offensive guard
- London Fletcher, linebacker
- Dwight Freeney, defensive end
- James Harrison, linebacker
- Rodney Harrison, safety
- Devin Hester, kick returner/wide receiver
- Torry Holt, wide receiver
- Andre Johnson, wide receiver
- Albert Lewis, cornerback
- Robert Mathis, defensive end/linebacker
- Darrelle Revis, cornerback
- Steve Smith Sr., wide receiver
- Fred Taylor, running back
- Joe Thomas, offensive tackle
- Zach Thomas, linebacker
- Hines Ward, wide receiver
- DeMarcus Ware, linebacker/defensive end
- Ricky Watters, running back
- Reggie Wayne, wide receiver
- Vince Wilfork, defensive tackle
- Patrick Willis, linebacker
- Darren Woodson, safety