Twenty-eight players were announced Tuesday as semifinalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
More than a quarter of them played at least part of their careers with the New England Patriots.
Among the former Patriots to reach the semifinal round of Hall of Fame voting were safety Rodney Harrison and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, both of whom already are enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame. It was the second semifinal nod for each player, with both falling short of the final round last year.
Head coach Bill Belichick has publicly made Hall of Fame cases for Harrison and Wilfork in the past, saying both “absolutely” would get his vote.