Steelers Legends Hines Ward and James Harrison Left Off Hall of Fame Finalist List
The Pittsburgh Steelers will not see receiver Hines Ward and edge rusher James Harrison enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the league’s most storied franchises, defined by their consistency and championship-laden traditions.
With six Super Bowls to their name, three head coaches in a half-century, and an incomprehensible streak of non-losing seasons, the Steelers are one of the best organizations in all of football.
But that kind of success isn’t possible without superstar talents, and Pittsburgh hasn’t necessarily gotten the necessary recognition for its high-profile players. The Steelers haven’t had a player enshrined to the Pro Football Hall of Fame since offensive lineman Alan Faneca in 2021.
That trend will continue through the class of 2025.
On Saturday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 15 finalists for the upcoming class. Former Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward and edge rusher James Harrison did not make the cut.
The list of finalists includes Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Fred Taylor, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson, and Marshal Yanda.
Ward is a bit of a surprising snub. While his 86 receiving touchdowns rank 54th all-time, Ward ranks 30th in yards (12,083) and 15th in receptions (1,000).
He won two Super Bowls, made three All-Pro teams, and – perhaps his best case for Canton – demonstrated a unique ability to block at an elite level, separating himself from the pack and making him more valuable than his production would suggest.
Harrison has a tougher case to make. His 84.5 sacks are impressive, as are his two first-team All-Pro selections. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and might have been the most important player on a Super Bowl-winning defense.
However, Harrison’s peak was noticeably shorter than his Hall of Fame counterparts, and without truly elite production, an eventual induction seems unlikely.
Pittsburgh may have to wait for Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, or Ben Roethlisberger to celebrate an induction.
