INDIANAPOLIS – The journey to Canton, Ohio, begins again for Reggie Wayne and several other players with direct ties to the Indianapolis Colts.
The prolific wide receiver is one of 10 individuals who were drafted or played significant roles with the team during their careers and are among the 167 modern-era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Wayne, in his third season as the Colts’ receivers coach following a decorated 14-year career, has reached the Final 15 in each of the past five years.
Expected to draw strong consideration – along with Wayne – is Adam Vinatieri, who’s in his first year of eligibility. The most accomplished kicker in league history spent his final 14 seasons in Indy after 10 years with the New England Patriots.
The notable Colts:
*Wayne, a 2001 first-round pick. He ranks 10th in NFL history in receptions (1,070) and yards (14,345) and remains one of the most productive players in postseason history, ranking No. 5 in catches (93) and No. 7 in yards (1,254).
*Vinatieri, the all-time scoring leader for the NFL (2,673 points) and the Colts (1,515). He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Colts following the 2006 season.
*Robert Mathis, a 2003 fifth-round pick and the club’s career sack leader with 123.
*Antoine Bethea, a sixth-round pick in 2006 whose eight-year career with the Colts included three Pro Bowl selections, 123 starts, 14 interceptions and 805 tackles.
*Jeff Saturday, who was signed as a “street" free agent in 1999. He anchored the Colts’ offensive line at center for 13 seasons and was All-Pro twice and selected to five Pro Bowls.
*Bob Sanders, a 2004 second-round pick. His career was marred by injuries but highlighted by being named Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Sanders was instrumental in the Colts’ ’06 playoff drive that culminated with a win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
*Pat McAfee, a seventh-round pick in 2009 who quickly developed into one of the NFL’s premier punters before retiring after the 2016 season.
*Mike Vanderjagt, the team’s placekicker from 1999-2005. His 995 points trail only Vinatieri in team history.
*Andre Rison, a 1989 first-round pick who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons the following season as part of a package to acquire quarterback Jeff George.
*Cornelius Bennett, the second overall pick in 1987 whose protracted holdout resulted in being traded to the Buffalo Bills as part of a massive deal that delivered Eric Dickerson to Indy. Bennett returned to the Colts as a free agent for the 1999-2000 seasons.
Also, kicker Matt Stover handled the kicking duties for the Colts in 2009, including in their loss to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, when Vinatieri was out with an injury; cornerback Antonio Cromartie was with the team for four games in 2016 and defensive end Simeon Rice spent the final two games of his 12-year career with the Colts in ’07.
For the first time, the next step in the process consists of a Screening Committee reducing the list of 167 to 50 candidates, plus possible ties.
That group will be announced in mid-October at which time the 50-person Selection Committee – I am a member – will select a list of 25 Semifinalists, then pare the list to 15 modern-era Finalists.
The Final 15 will be discussed by the Selection Committee at its annual meeting prior to Super Bowl LVIX. A maximum of five modern-era individuals can be selected for the Class of 2025.
Other first-year eligible players include quarterback Eli Manning, linebacker Luke Kuechly, guard Marshal Yanda, cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Earl Thomas and offensive tackle Joe Staley.
Along with Wayne, returning 2024 Finalists: wide receiver Torry Holt, tight end Antonio Gates, running back Fred Taylor, defensive end Jared Allen, offensive tackle Willie Anderson, guard Jahri Evans, cornerbacks Darren Woodson and Eric Allen and safety Rodney Harrison.