It’s a tough ultimate outcome for a pair of Colts greats, Reggie Wayne and Adam Vinatieri, but they’ll be back.
According to FOX59/CBS4’s Mike Chappell, neither wideout Reggie Wayne nor placekicker Adam Vinatieri, as former Indianapolis Colts all-time greats, made this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025—which consisted of just 3 other modern-era finalists:
Reggie Wayne denied again; Adam Vinatieri falls short in first bid for Pro Football of Hall of Fame. Only 3 modern-era nominees make the cut for Class of 2025.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) February 7, 2025
While this was Vinatieri’s first-year eligible, who arguably could’ve been a first-ballot Hall of Famer, given that he’s the greatest player at his position ever, it was the sixth year for Wayne—who was admittedly frustrated after another selection night of being seemingly snubbed:
Welp… pic.twitter.com/JNjKiedklK
— Reggie Wayne (@ReggieWayne_17) February 7, 2025
Instead, it was former defensive end Jared Allen, cornerback Eric Allen, and tight end Antonio Gates as this year’s three modern era-finalist inductees—as well as senior inductee wideout Sterling Sharpe.
All of those players are arguably deserving, but why didn’t the Hall of Fame selection committee put in the maximum of five modern-era finalists to clear logjams at other positions in a weaker ‘first-ballot’ class? Especially at wide receiver, which still has Wayne, Steve Smith Sr., and Torry Holt as players at the position who weren’t selected as finalists.
Both of Vinatieri and Wayne should be back—as soon as next season, but it seems like a missed opportunity for both former Colts all-time greats, and they’ll wait until 2026 for another shot at it. It’s just a matter of if, not when for both Horseshoe legends.
