Legendary Colts trio move one step closer to NFL immortality

Semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 have been announced, and three Indianapolis Colts alums made the list, out of the eight Colts named among the 167 nominees.

A screening committee reduces the original nominees down to 50,before the full 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee chooses 25 semifinalists, which was just announced. Later, a second vote will further reduce the list to 15, with the new class chosen at the annual meeting before of Super Bowl LVIX. According to the press release, between four and eight new members will be chosen.

Across the AFC South, there were several nominees; the Jacksonville Jaguars had running back Fred Taylor and wide receiver Jimmy Smith both nominated, while Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair got a nod also. Of those three, only Taylor made it to the semifinals.

Five Colts - Jeff Saturday, Antoine Bethea, Bob Sanders, Pat McAfee, and Mike Vanderjagt - were nominated, but did not move on to the semifinals. Three Colts legends, however, have moved on and could possibly be inducted this year.

Adam Vinatieri

Vinatieri seems to be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, considering he is widely acknowledged to be one of the best kickers in NFL history. He is the NFL all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and a three-time first-team AP All-Pro.

Vinatieri played for the Colts from 2006 - 2019.Throughout his 24-year career, Vinatieri had 29 game-winning kicks, including in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII.

Despite his prestigious career, Vinatieri would be in short company; if chosen, he will join Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen as the only kickers in the Hall of Fame. This is Vinatieri's first time being nominated.

Robert Mathis

This is Mathis' third nomination to the Hall of Fame, and his second year in a row making the semifinals. He 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.

Mathis spent 14 years in the NFL, all playing for Indianapolis. After retiring, he continued his career with the Colts, joining the coaching staff as a pass rush consultant. He was previously inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Reggie Wayne

Wayne has been nominated in each of the five years he has been eligible. He spent his entire NFL career with the Colts, and in the regular season alone, amassed a whopping 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns. In the post-season, he was similarly impressive; he measures up in the top 10 of all time for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

Only 14 players in NFL history have 1,000 receptions, as Wayne does, and he is one of just 12 players to have over 14,000 receiving yards. After retiring, Wayne continued his career with the Colts as a wide receivers coach.