INDIANAPOLIS – Adam Vinatieri experienced that unsettling twinge for the first time.
“Of course I was disappointed,’’ he said.
It’s gotten to be an absolute pain that pulsates through Reggie Wayne.
“I’ll tell you, if I don’t get in this year, I’m gonna be hurt,’’ he said before the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 was announced Thursday evening. “It’s probably going to be the first time I’m actually hurt because it’s in New Orleans.’’
Wayne’s frustration level increased and Vinatieri’s began after each was informed by Hall of Fame officials that the doors in Canton, Ohio remain closed to the long-time Indianapolis Colts’ standouts.
Vinatieri is in his first year of eligibility following a decorated, championship-filled 24-year career with the Colts and New England Patriots. He was among the 15 modern-era finalists who were discussed last month by the Selection Committee (I am one of the 49 members). Vinatieri reached the final 7 – that’s a cut level put in place for the first time – but didn’t garner the required 80% support to be included in the Class of 2025.
Wayne? He was among the Final 15 for a sixth consecutive year but again saw his bid for a bronze bust stall. He didn’t survive the initial cut from 15 to 10.
One of the most prolific receivers in NFL history was optimistic this would be his year to break through, and the timing would be perfect. New Orleans is Wayne’s hometown and the site of Sunday’s Super Bowl.
“If it happened at home, it would be worth the wait,’’ Wayne said. “I always told myself I wasn’t going to make it until New Orleans comes.’’
He remembered the journey of a former teammate and long-time friend. Edgerrin James’ inclusion with the Class of 2020 was announced in his hometown of Miami. It came after being a four-time finalist and in his sixth year of eligibility.
Instead, Wayne’s wait continues.
He admitted he’s become “numb’’ to the annual process of reaching the final 15 only to be denied.
“You’re still appreciative,’’ Wayne said. “Because if a time ever comes that you don’t make (the 15), that’s going to be anger. You still appreciate it because there are guys that a lot of people consider worthy (who) don’t even get that door open for them. You still believe you deserve it. I don’t think that part will ever go away whether you’re in or not. You’ve got to be your biggest cheerleader. I feel like I should have gone in last year.’’
Wayne’s aggravation with the Hall of Fame process has intensified each year. He believes the body of work created during his 14 seasons with the Colts merits a spot in Canton.
He and Jerry Rice are the only players in NFL history to rank in the top 10 in the regular season and postseason in receptions and receiving yards. Wayne has more postseason receptions (93) and touchdowns (nine) and just 159 fewer yards (1,254) than the combined total of the last three wideouts enshrined: Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson and Isaac Bruce.
Wayne ranks No. 10 in league history with 1,020 receptions and 14,345 yards.
“It don’t faze me,’’ he said. “I’ve become numb to it.’’
Many considered Vinatieri a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
He’s the NFL’s career scoring leader in the regular season (2,673 points) and postseason (238), was part of four Super Bowl championships – three with the Patriots, one in Indy – and secured two world championships for the Patriots with game-winning kicks in the final seconds.
Vinatieri knocked down two field goals in blizzard conditions in the 2001 AFC Divisional round against Oakland – a 45-yarder to send the game into overtime and a 23-yarder to win it 16-13 – that were the catalysts for the first of New England’s six Super Bowl championships.
He was named to the All-Decade Team of the 2000s and a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team.
Yet, Vinatieri came up short. It undoubtedly was because he’s a kicker and specialists aren’t viewed through the same lens as every-down players.
“There may be a little bit of bias about that although I’m not sure anybody would admit to that,’’ he said. “Maybe (selectors) just don’t value the position the same as other positions. It is what it is. It would have been great to go in my first year, but next year hopefully, or the year after that. I knew it was a tall order to make it into the Hall of Fame no matter if it’s your first year or 10th year. For me, the excitement of getting close, you want it to go through.’’
There was a glimmer of consolation when Vinatieri looked at others who fell short of being selected. That group includes Wayne, linebacker Luke Kuechly, wideouts Torry Holt and Steve Smith Sr., quarterback Eli Manning, edge rusher Terrell Suggs, offensive tackle Willie Anderson, running back Fred Taylor, safety Darren Woodson and guards Marshal Yanda and Jahri Evans.
“Everybody on that list were very, very great players,’’ Vinatieri said. “I didn’t get a jacket this year, (so) we’ll cross our fingers for the next year or the year after that.’’
Class of 2025
After more than eight hours of discussion and deliberation last month, the Selection Committee arrived at the Class of 2025:
*TE Antonio Gates
*DE Jared Allen
*CB Eric Allen
*WR Sterling Sharpe (Seniors category)
The four-man class is the Hall of Fame’s smallest since 2005. And the three modern-era inductees snap a 17-year streak of the maximum five being selected.
The Hall of Fame added a layer to the cut process this year, which made it more difficult for an individual to receive the necessary 80% of votes.
After the final 15 modern-era candidates were cut to 10, that group was trimmed to seven instead of the usual five. Selectors then voted on their top five. A candidate had to receive 80% of the vote to earn a spot in the Class of 2025.
By reaching the final seven but failing to reach the 80% threshold for enshrinement, Vinatieri, Kuechly, Holt and Anderson automatically advance to the Final 15 list for the Class of 2026.
Looking ahead
The road to Canton isn’t getting any easier.
Players eligible for the first time next year include wideout Larry Fitzgerald, quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, running back Frank Gore and tight end Jason Witten.
The next year, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Adrian Peterson and tight end Rob Gronkowski become eligible for the Class of 2027.
Quarterback Tom Brady will be the headliner for the Class of 2028.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.