Reggie Wayne, Adam Vinatieri one step closer to being named NFL legends

Kicker Adam Vinatieri and wide receiver Reggie Wayne, both Indianapolis Colts legends, have been named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Vinatieri and Wayne, along with six other Colts alums, were nominated in September. They, along with Robert Mathis, survived the cut to be named semifinalists, with Vinatieri and Wayne the only two to make it to the final round of voting.

After the new nominees are named, a screening committee reduces the nominees to just 50, before the full 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee chooses 25 semifinalists. A second vote further reduces the list to 15 finalists, with the new class chosen at the annual meeting before of Super Bowl LVIX.

Only one other player from the AFC South made the final round: Fred Taylor, a running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Other notable players include Peyton Manning's brother, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.

The selection committee can choose up to five people to induct into the Class of 2025 Hall of Fame.

Adam Vinatieri

Vinatieri is widely considered one of the best kickers in NFL history, and is a first-time nominee. He played most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, but began his time in the NFL with the New England Patriots.

Vinatieri is the NFL's all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and a three-time first-team AP All-Pro. Over his 24-year career, he had 29 game-winning kicks, including in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII.

If chosen, Vinatieri will join Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen as the only kickers in the Hall of Fame. This is his first time being nominated.

Reggie Wayne

Wayne has been nominated in each of the five years he has been eligible, and spent his entire NFL career with the Colts. in the regular season alone, he had a whopping 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns. In the post-season, he is in the top 10 of all time for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Currently, Wayne has continued to be a part of the Colts team, now as a wide receivers coach.

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.