The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 130 modern-era nominees for the 2021 class headlined by two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time MVP Peyton Manning.
The initial nominee list consists of 65 offensive, 49 defensive and 16 special teams players. The modern-era nominee roster will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January.
Manning, who last played during the 2015 season, is one of 14 first-year eligible players on the nominee list. The others include running back Steven Jackson, wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker and Roddy White, tight end Heath Miller, offensive linemen D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Logan Mankins, defensive linemen Jared Allen, Justin Tuck and Kevin Williams, linebacker Jerod Mayo and defensive backs Charles Tillman and Charles Woodson.