The Modern-Era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 is comprised of 130 players. Among the group announced Wednesday are 14 first-year eligible players, including former Packers defensive back Charles Woodson.
The roster of nominees consists of 65 offensive players, 49 defensive players and 16 special teams players. The list of Modern-Era nominees will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.
You can view the full list by clicking here. Below are the players with Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, or state of Wisconsin ties.
Dave Krieg, Quarterback: Played at D.C. Everest High School in Schofield, Wisconsin, and attended college at Milton. Threw 261 touchdown passes in a career that spanned six teams from 1980 to 1998.
Donald Driver, Wide Receiver: Played 14 seasons, all in Green Bay, catching 743 passes for 10,137 yards and 61 touchdowns while rushing for another. In the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame after three Pro Bowl seasons with the team from 1999 to 2012.
Keith Jackson, Tight End: Played two seasons and 25 games with the Green Bay Packers, including a Pro Bowl nod in his final year of 1996. Caught 49 touchdowns in his nine-year NFL career that includes three first-team All-Pro selections.
LeRoy Butler, Safety: A finalist in 2020, Butler's credentials are strong for a Hall of Fame selection... at some point. Butler made four first-team All-Pro teams, recorded over 1,000 tackles and 38 interceptions in his career, and made four Pro Bowls in his 12 years in the NFL, all with the Packers. Or read this case for his Hall of Fame selection.
Nick Collins, Safety: Collins played seven seasons, all in Green Bay, and recorded 21 interceptions in just 95 games. While injuries cut his career short, Collins made three Pro Bowls in his time with the Packers.
Troy Vincent, Cornerback: The former Wisconsin Badger played 15 years in the NFL, making one first-team All-Pro team and five Pro Bowls. Vincent recorded 47 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries in his career, and is currently a prominent executive for the NFL, as the Executive Vice President of Operations.
Charles Woodson, Cornerback/Safety: Woodson spent seven years with the Packers, making two of his three career first-team All-Pro teams in his time in Green Bay. Woodson made nine Pro Bowls, including four with the Packers, and finished his career with 65 interceptions and 18 fumble recoveries in the regular season. Woodson is in his first year of eligibility and is likely a first-ballot selection.
Ryan Longwell, Kicker: Longwell played 15 years in the NFL, nine with the Green Bay Packers. Longwell made 83.2% of his career 434 field goal attempts, including just over 81% as a member of the Packers.
Matt Turk, Punter: The Greenfield, Wisconsin native, and alum of Wisconsin-Whitewater, had a 16-year career spanning 17 years from 1995 to 2011 with six different teams. Turk was first-team All-Pro in 1996 and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection despite not debuting in the NFL until he was 27 years old.
Photo: Getty Images (LeRoy Butler)