Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and Otis Taylor Among Hall of Fame Semifinalists
Former MVP Ken Anderson, versatile running back Roger Craig, and AFL star Otis Taylor are among the nine semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 in the veterans category.
A select committee narrowed the list of 34 candidates, all players who played their last professional game in the 2000 season.
The committee will narrow the list to three finalists who will advance to the vote of the full selection committee, which will take place before the Super Bowl in February. There will also be 15 modern-era finalists, a coach, and a contributor for the Class of 2026. Between four and eight new members will be elected in the second year of this current format.
Other semifinalists are former star receivers Henry Ellard and Stanley Morgan; special teams standout Steve Tasker; defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood, offensive lineman Joe Jacoby; and cornerback Eddie Meador.
The candidates revealed on Wednesday did not include returning finalists Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer, who were eliminated in the last vote.
Anderson was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with Cincinnati and won the MVP in 1981, when he helped the Bengals reach their first Super Bowl before losing to San Francisco. When Anderson retired after the 1986 season, he ranked sixth all-time with 32,838 passing yards and 13th with 197 touchdown passes.
Craig was a key piece of the San Francisco dynasty in the 1980s with his ability as a physical runner and as a receiver from the backfield. Craig was the first player to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, which happened in 1985, and led the NFL with 2,036 yards from scrimmage in 1988, when he helped the 49ers win the Super Bowl.
Craig was also part of the title-winning teams in San Francisco in the 1984 and 1989 seasons. His 410 yards from the line of scrimmage in those Super Bowl victories are the third-most of all time, behind Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Franco Harris.
Taylor spent his entire 11-year career with Kansas City, earning All-Pro honors in the AFL in 1966 and in the NFL in 1971. He led the AFL with 11 touchdown receptions in 1967 and the NFL with 1,110 yards in 1971. He finished his career with 410 receptions for 7,306 yards and 57 touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass to help the Chiefs win the Super Bowl after the 1969 season.
Ellard was a two-time All-Pro with the Rams and finished his 16-year career with 814 receptions for 13,777 yards and 65 touchdowns.
Morgan spent most of his career with New England and remains the Patriots’ all-time leader with 10,352 receiving yards. His 19.2 yards per reception are the best of all time among the 181 players with at least 500 receptions.
Tasker excelled in covering punts and kicks, recording seven blocked kicks and catching nine touchdown passes as a receiver on offense. He helped Buffalo win four consecutive AFC titles before losing in the Super Bowl and was selected for seven Pro Bowls in his 13-year career.
Greenwood was a key part of Pittsburgh’s famous “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s, earning two All-Pro honors and being part of four Super Bowl champions.
Jacoby was a two-time All-Pro and a key member of the “The Hogs” offensive line that helped Washington win three Super Bowl titles.
Meador played with the Rams from 1959-70 and was a selection of the 1960s decade. He was twice All-Pro and finished his career with 46 interceptions.
