Share
Henry Ellard has made it to the semifinals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection process for the first time.
The fast, acrobatic, and sure-handed wide receiver from Fresno was among 28 modern-day semifinalists for the 2023 class announced Tuesday morning.
After a standout football and track and field career at Fresno State, Ellard played 17 seasons in the National Football League. He finished his pro career in 1998 among the all-time receiving leaders with 814 receptions, 13,777 yards, and 65 touchdowns.
Moreover, the Hoover High School graduate accumulated those totals while playing 11 seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, who focused more on running than football than the passing game under coaches John Robinson and Chuck Knox.
Ellard earned All-Pro recognition twice as a wide receiver and excelled early in his career as a punt returner. In 1996, while with Washington, he led the league with an average of 19.5 yards per catch.
NEWS
We are excited to reveal our 28 Modern-Era Semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
The list includes five first-year eligible candidates.
Full List Of Semifinalists: https://t.co/yC5UKWUE7r pic.twitter.com/xGyuX5emrB
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 22, 2022
Revis Leads First-Eligible Semifinalists
The list of semifinalists is highlighted by four-time All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. Also advancing in the fierce HOF competition are four other first-year eligible players: offensive linemen Jahri Evans and Joe Thomas, defensive lineman Dwight Freeney, and linebacker James Harrison. Each last played in the 2017 season.
Ellard and London Fletcher are semifinalists for the first time. Albert Lewis, a semifinalist in 2013, is also on the list.
Both Ellard and Lewis are in their final year of eligibility as modern-era players.
Henry Ellard didn’t catch the punt cleanly.
The Eagles didn’t catch him at all.
(Sept. 15, 1985) @RamsNFL #PHIvsLA #SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/jfC6zBgZKR
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) December 17, 2018
Final Vote in January
The 28 semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists before the final voting process in January. The inductees will be announced on Feb. 9 during NFL Honors, the prime-time awards show when The Associated Press reveals its individual award winners for the 2022 NFL season, including Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year.
Four finalists previously announced are Don Coryell in the coaching category, and Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko, and Ken Riley in the senior category.
(Associated Press contributed to this story.)
RELATED TOPICS:
Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say
15 hours ago
Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds
16 hours ago
Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
13 hours ago
Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days
13 hours ago
Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus
15 hours ago
Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking
15 hours ago
Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say
15 hours ago
Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds
16 hours ago
Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
13 hours ago
Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days
13 hours ago
Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus
15 hours ago
Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking
15 hours ago
Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say
15 hours ago
Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds
16 hours ago

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

Trump Says Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
