The Pro Football Hall of Fame released the list of modern-era nominees for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 on Wednesday. There are several former New York Giants on the list of 130 names of which 14 are in their first year of eligibility.
According to the PFHOF website, “The roster of nominees consists of 65 offensive players, 49 defensive players and 16 special teams players. The list of Modern-Era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.”
Ex-Giants appearing on the list are one first-timer (defensive end Justin Tuck) and eight players who have appeared on the list in prior years: running back Tiki Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey, offensive tackle Lomas Brown, guard Chris Snee, running back Herschel Walker, punters Jeff Feagles, Sean Landeta and running back/returner Brian Mitchell.
The field will be a tough one, no doubt. Several players are locks to be voted in on their first try such as Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson and Charles Woodson. Others who fell short in years past and could get the nod this year are Tony Boselli, Torry Holt, Ronde Barber, Reggie Wayne and Alan Faneca.
Tuck was a two-time Super Bowl champion and captain with the Giants but was only named All-Pro once and a Pro Bowler twice. Shockey began his career with a bang but fizzled out over time. Barber is probably one year short statistically to make the cut. Had he played in 2007 and won the Super Bowl with the Giants, he’d already be in.