The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 128 Modern-Era players as nominees for the Class of 2026. Among them are 16 players with 49ers ties, including first-year eligible standouts Frank Gore and Alex Smith.
This year's group will be reduced to 50 semifinalists in October, then to 25 later this fall before 15 finalists are revealed ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Here are the nominees with San Francisco connections:
QB Jeff Garcia
QB Alex Smith
RB Ricky Watters
RB Frank Gore
WR Anquan Boldin
WR Brandon Lloyd
TE Vernon Davis
TE Delanie Walker
T Joe Staley
DL Justin Smith
DL Ted Washington
LB NaVorro Bowman
LB Takeo Spikes
LB Lee Woodall
K David Akers
K Gary Anderson