Jared Allen, Devin Hester among Hall of Fame semifinalists
In this Sept. 25, 2011 file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen gestures during the first half an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in Minneapolis.[AP Photo/Genevieve Ross, File]
Jared Allen, Devin Hester and Steve Smith are among 26 modern-day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022.
It’s Allen’s second time as a semifinalist for the hall of fame after becoming eligible for induction last year.
Seven first-time eligible former players are semifinalists, including Smith, Andre Johnson and Anquan Boldin. Other semifinalists include Eddie George, Vince Wilfork, Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware.
The list of 26 semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 finalists. That number will then grow to 18 with the inclusion of the recommended nominees of the Hall of Fame’s Coach, Contributor and Senior Committees: Dick Vermeil, Art McNally and Cliff Branch, respectively.
The Hall of Fame’s 49-person Selection Committee will select the Class of 2022 in advance of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.