Asked and Answered: Feb. 11

MARK THOMPSON FROM HUNTINGTON, WV: Please tell me if this is true. Saw on Facebook that Hines Ward was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Please tell me this is not a dream.
ANSWER: I wish it was true, but Hines Ward was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The wide receivers who were among the Modern-Era finalists for election in 2025 were Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., and Reggie Wayne. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was announced last Thursday, and it includes CB Eric Allen, DE Jared Allen, TE Antonio Gates, and WR Sterling Sharpe, who was elected as the Seniors candidate. None of the WRs who were among the Modern Era finalists were elected.

JEFF WELLER FROM COLUMBUS, OH: How is Sterling Sharpe getting inducted into the Hall of Fame and not Hines Ward? Ward has over 400 more catches than Sterling Sharpe. Plus there are Ward’s other attributes as a player – blocking, etc. I’m tired of the Steelers fatigue among the voters. Are there any other receivers with that many catches not in the Hall of Fame?
ANSWER: As I explained in the previous answer, Sterling Sharpe was elected to the Class of 2025 as the Seniors Candidate, and Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com wrote this about him: “Sharpe’s career was cut short by a congenital neck condition, but only Jerry Rice caught more passes and had more touchdown receptions in the 7-season span that Sharpe played. Though his career was shortened by health concerns, Sharpe didn’t miss a regular-season game – 112 in all. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time All-Pro selection.”

Hines Ward retired with 1,000 catches for 12,083 yards. The players with more than 1,000 catches not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are Larry Fitzgerald (1,432) and Jason Witten (1,228), both of whom will be first-time eligibles next year, plus Anquan Boldin (1,076), Reggie Wayne (1,070), and Steve Smith Sr. (1,031). The players with more than 12,083…