Pittsburgh Review

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the semifinalists for the Modern-Era Nominees for the Class of 2025, featuring two notable former Pittsburgh Steelers players. James Harrison and Hines Ward, both members of the Steelers Hall of Honor, have been recognized as semifinalists.

James Harrison is a semifinalist for the third consecutive year. He was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year during the 2008 Super Bowl season, achieving a team record with 16 sacks at that time. Harrison's career highlights include being voted first-team Associated Press All-Pro twice and selected for five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2007 to 2011. He was also twice named Steelers MVP in 2007 and 2008. His memorable play includes a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Harrison joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and played 14 seasons with them, amassing 80.5 career sacks.

Hines Ward is a semifinalist for the ninth straight year. Drafted in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, Ward played his entire 14-season career with the Steelers. He achieved 1,000 career receptions for 12,083 yards and scored 85 touchdowns. Known for his versatility and blocking ability, Ward was named MVP of Super Bowl XL after leading his team to victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Over three Super Bowls, he recorded 14 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Ward was selected to four Pro Bowls between 2002 and 2005 and was part of the team's All-Time Team during its 75th Season celebration. He was chosen by teammates as Steelers MVP three times: in 2002 alongside Joey Porter, in 2003, and again in 2005 with Casey Hampton.

Voting is ongoing in other categories including Seniors, Coach, and Contributor categories, with those finalists set to be announced in December. The Selection Committee will present a total of twenty finalists at their annual meeting next year before Super Bowl LIX: fifteen Modern-Era Players along with three Seniors, one Coach, and one Contributor.

While there is no fixed number for enshrinees each year, bylaws stipulate that between four to eight new members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame annually.

The final announcement regarding inductees into The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 will occur at "NFL Honors" in New Orleans this February with enshrinement scheduled for August in Canton.