One step closer to immortality
One of the greats of recent Minnesota Vikings history is now one step closer to reaching pro football immortality.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its list of the fifteen “Modern Era” finalists for potential enshrinement in the Class of 2026, and among them is Vikings defensive lineman Kevin Williams. This is his sixth year of eligibility and the first time he’s made the final fifteen as a finalist.
The Vikings drafted Williams with the ninth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State, and he spent eleven seasons with the team. During his time in purple, he garnered five First-Team All-Pro selections (2004, 2006-2009) and six Pro Bowl selections (2004, 2006-2010). During that time, he led all NFL defensive tackles with a whopping 73 passes defended and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also had 13 fumble recoveries, returning two of those for scores as well. He collected 60 sacks as a member of the Vikings, and was named a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2000s as well as one of the 50 Greatest Vikings of all time and a member of the team’s Ring of Honor.
The next step of the process comes when the Hall of Fame Selection Committee meets prior to Super Bowl LX this February in San Francisco. They can select up to five players from the list of Modern Era finalists, and the entire Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony on 5 February, the Thursday before this year’s Super Bowl.
Here is the full list of this year’s Modern Era finalists.
- Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Drew Brees, Quarterback — 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
- Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver — 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
- Frank Gore, Running Back — 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle — 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
- Jason Witten, Tight End — 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
- Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
Best of luck to Kevin Williams in his quest to (hopefully) take his rightful place among the greatest players in Pro Football history!
Category: General Sports
