Former Vikings Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman have been eliminated from consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
The Hall of Fame announced Tuesday morning the five individuals who have advanced as finalists in the seniors, coach and contributor categories. Marshall and Foreman had made the cut to 31 in the seniors category, which includes players who last appeared in a game in 1999.
Moving to within one step of the Class of 2025 are Ralph Hay — the former Canton Bulldogs owner (1918-22) and a founding father of the NFL — in the contributor category; Packers Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren in the coach category; and linebacker Maxie Baughan, receiver Sterling Sharpe and offensive tackle Jim Tyrer in the seniors category.
Marshall and Foreman also fell short of the list of nine semifinalists in the seniors category. The other six semifinalists were Ken Anderson, Lester Hayes, Bob Kuechenberg, Albert Lewis, Stanley Morgan and Al Wistert.
The last hurdle for the five finalists is approval from at least 80% of the hall’s full selection committee at its annual meeting in January.
For the first time, the finalists from these three categories will compete against one another. Each member of the selection committee may vote for only three of the five. A maximum of three can be elected. If none of the five receives at least 80% approval, the one who receives the most support would be elected to the Class of 2025.
A closer look at the senior finalists and the Vikings who fell short:
The Hall of Fame\s full selection committee is in the process of trimming the 25 modern-era finalists to 15. Former Viking Jared Allen is expected to become a finalist for the fifth consecutive year.