The former Steelers wide receiver will have to wait another year for a bid to Canton.
Another year of Hall of Fame eligibility will end without a gold jacket for former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, who wasn’t among the list of 15 modern-era finalists announced by the hall Tuesday morning.
Ward has yet to be a finalist in any year he’s been eligible.
However, it is a loaded class for 2026, with the remaining finalists being as follows:
- Willie Anderson
- Drew Brees
- Jahri Evans
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Frank Gore
- Torry Holt
- Luke Kuechly
- Eli Manning
- Terrell Suggs
- Adam Vinatieri
- Reggie Wayne
- Kevin Williams
- Jason Witten
- Darren Woodson
- Marshal Yanda
Ward still has a strong case himself, with 12,083 career receiving yards, two Super Bowls (including an MVP), four Pro Bowls, and being widely regarded as the greatest blocking wide receiver of all time.
However, one former Steeler remains a Hall of Fame possibility in the 2026 class, with Steel Curtain great L.C. Greenwood being announced a senior-category finalist earlier this year.
The final Hall of Fame class for 2026 will be announced at NFL Honors in February.
Category: General Sports
