Four former San Francisco 49ers are among the 16 players in their first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Offensive tackle Joe Staley, tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker, and defensive back Antoine Bethea could all be making their way to Canton, Ohio.
Staley, taken in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan, spent all 13 seasons of his career with the 49ers. He earned six Pro Bowl selections, including five straight between 2011-15. He was also named to the Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Davis was San Francisco’s top pick the previous year. In 10 seasons with the 49ers, he had 441 receptions for 5,640 yards and 55 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2009 and 2013 seasons. In 2009, he led the NFL with 13 touchdown receptions.
Delaney Walker was also in the 49ers’ 2006 draft class, serving as Davis’ backup for seven seasons before blossoming with the Tennessee Titans. He made the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17, averaging 77.7 receptions for 898.3 yards and 5.3 touchdowns.
Antoine Bethea wasn’t drafted by San Francisco but joined the 49ers as a free agent in 2014. He made the Pro Bowl that season after compiling 86 tackles and snagging four interceptions.
The full list of 167 eligible players was released on Wednesday. Twenty Finalists will be presented to the full 50-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee during its annual meeting to choose the Class of 2025. Those candidates will consist of 15 Modern-Era Players Finalists, three Seniors Finalists, a Coach Finalist and a Contributor Finalist.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, presented By Visual Edge IT, will be enshrined next August.
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