INDIANAPOLIS – Four prominent individuals from the Indianapolis Colts’ decade of excellence have taken the next step toward the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis, Jeff Saturday and first-time eligible player Adam Vinatieri made the cut of 50 modern-era players.
A screening committee narrowed the preliminary list of 167 nominees. In the coming weeks, the group will be pared to 25, then to the 15 finalists which will be debated by the Selection Committee (I am a member).
This is familiar territory for Wayne.
One of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history has reached the final 15 in each of the past five years. Wayne ranks in the top 10 in receptions and yards in both the regular season and playoffs.
Vinatieri is in his first year of eligibility. He’s the league’s all-time scoring leader with four Super Bowl championships on his resume. Vinatieri’s 24-year career began with 10 seasons with the New England Patriots and concluded with 14 with the Colts.
Mathis is the Colts’ career sack leader with 123 and owns the NFL record with 54 forced fumbles.
Saturday was a two-time All-Pro, named to five Pro Bowls and was the anchor for the offensive line for 13 seasons.
During the 2000s, the Colts reached the Super Bowl twice and won their first world championship in three decades with a 29-17 nod over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
The set a league record for most wins in any decade with 115 from 2000-09. The Colts won at least 10 games in nine seasons and at least 12 in seven.
A few other players with Indy ties also made the cut: linebacker Cornelius Bennett and Simeon Rice.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.