After being snubbed in last year's Pro Football Hall of Fame Vote, Indianapolis Colts legends Reggie Wayne and Adam Vinatieri are one step closer to being given the recognition they deserve. They, along with Colts icon Robert Mathis, have been named semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
Originally, 128 eligible modern-era players were nominated in September, with all three players surviving the first cut down to 52 nominees in October. They're now another step closer, having been named among the 26 semifinalists. The list will be further narrowed down to 15 finalists, with the new class ultimately chosen before the Super Bowl.
Technically speaking, a fourth Indianapolis alum is also nominated: Philip Rivers, who played his last season with the Colts. However, Rivers is known more for his time with the Los Angeles Chargers, with whom he spent most of his career.
His 2020 season with the Colts was his 12th with 4,000 or more passing yards, tying with Drew Brees for third in NFL history, behind Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
Three Colts greats are now in the conversation for football’s top honor
The Hall of Fame issued a press release with their semifinalists, including Mathis, Wayne, and Vinatieri. As noted, Rivers could be celebrated by Colts fans also, but it's unlikely; not many people will associate him with Indianapolis over Los Angeles, whereas the other three are Colts, through and through.
Robert Mathis
Mathis has been nominated for the fifth time and is one of three defensive linemen to make it to the semifinals. Mathis spent his 14-year NFL career with the Colts, is the all-time NFL leader in forced fumbles (52) and strip-sacks (47), was named All-Pro twice, and played five times in the Pro Bowl.
He was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2020 and was a pass rush consultant for the Colts from 2017 - 2019. While Mathis has been a semifinalist every year of his eligibility, he has yet to advance to the finals.
Reggie Wayne
Wayne is a semifinalist for the seventh time, and it's not much of a surprise; he's one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game. He's been nominated every year he's been eligible, and made it to the finals last year before being snubbed. Wayne is one of five wide receivers to make the semifinals.
Like Mathis, Wayne spent his entire career in Indianapolis, and currently is the wide receivers coach for the Colts. In the regular season, he gained 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns, while in the postseason, he is in the top 10 of all time for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
Adam Vinatieri
The only special teamer to be named a semifinalist, Vinatieri was nominated for the first time last year. He's widely considered one of the best kickers of all time, and is the NFL's all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points.
Yet as a kicker, the road to the Hall of Fame will be difficult; there have only ever been two kickers (Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen) inducted. There's no doubting Vinatieri should be the third, though. During his career, which includes 13 years spent with the Colts, he had 29 game-winning kicks, including during Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII.