SANTA CLARA — The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s semifinalist stage welcomed back a few former 49ers and a first-year eligible one.
Among the 26 modern-era semifinalists are:
— Wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who is in his initial year on the ballot and played for the 49ers from 2013-15 late in his 14-year career.
— Running back Ricky Watters, a second-time semifinalist who made the Pro Bowl his first three years on the 49ers (1992-94) before finishing his 10-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks.
— Defensive lineman Bryant Young, a 2020 finalist and three-time semifinalist who was honored this month for his enshrinement into the 49ers’ Edward J. DeBartolo Hall of Fame.
— Linebacker Patrick Willis, a semifinalist in his third year of eligibility after playing his entire career (2007-14) with the 49ers, as was the case with Young’s NFL tenure. Willis will be honored with John Taylor in the 49ers’ Hall of Fame next month, before the Dec. 19 game against Atlanta.
The 49-person selection committee will whittle the list to 15 modern-era finalists, plus the nominees of Dick Vermeil, Cliff Branch and Art McNally from the coach, contributor and senior committees.
Other semifinalist:
Eric Allen, cornerback: 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Raiders. (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2021-22)
Jared Allen, defensive end: 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers. (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2021-22)
Willie Anderson, offensive tackle: 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens. (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2021-22)
Ronde Barber, defensive back: 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2018-2022)
Tony Boselli, offensive tackle: 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve). (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 – 2016-2022)
LeRoy Butler, safety: 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2018-2022)
Eddie George, running back: 1996-2003 Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers-Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Devin Hester, return specialist/receiver: 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Torry Holt, wide receiver: 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars. (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2015-2022)
Andre Johnson, wide receiver: 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016, Tennessee Titans. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Robert Mathis, defensive end/linebacker: 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Sam Mills, linebacker: 986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2016, 2019-2022)
Richard Seymour, defensive lineman: 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Raiders. (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2018-2022)
Steve Smith, wide receiver: 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Steve Tasker, special teams/wide receiver: 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills. (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2004, 2008-2010, 2012-13, 2020-22)
Fred Taylor, running back: 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots. (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2020-22)
Zach Thomas, linebacker: 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys. (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2019-2022)
Hines Ward, wide receiver: 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2017-2022)
DeMarcus Ware, linebacker/defensive end: 2005-2013 Dallas Cowboys, 2014-16 Denver Broncos. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Reggie Wayne, wide receiver: 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts. (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2020-22)
Vince Wilfork, defensive tackle: 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans. (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2022)
Darren Woodson, safety: 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys. (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2022)
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