Patrick Willis and Bryant Young, the greatest 49ers defensive players of the past two decades, were among the 25 modern-era players selected Tuesday as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2020 class.
Former 49ers running back Ricky Watters joined Willis and Young as a first-time semifinalist. Former Rams star receiver Isaac Bruce, who spent the last two years of his career with San Francisco, is also a semifinalist.
The 49ers’ nominees join big-time names such as Troy Polamalu, Reggie Wayne and ex-Raider Richard Seymour on the semifinalist list.
49ers general manager John Lynch, a six-time finalist after a star-studded 15-year career as a safety with the Buccaneers and Broncos, was named a semifinalist for the eighth straight year.