Former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Michigan great Charles Woodson have moved one step closer to Canton.
Johnson and Woodson were among the 15 modern-era finalists named for the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class on Tuesday. They are also two of four first-year eligible players on the ballot, along with quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive end Jared Allen.
During his nine seasons in Detroit, Johnson, 35, set franchise records for receptions (731), receiving yards (11,619) and receiving touchdowns (83) before he retired in 2016. He also holds the NFL’s single-season mark with 1,964 yards.
Woodson, 44, played cornerback and safety with Oakland and Green Bay in his 18-year career. He won a Super Bowl with the Packers, was the 1998 defensive rookie of the year, and took top defensive player honors in 2009. He won the Heisman Trophy at Michigan in 1997.
The group of 15 finalists also includes receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne, offensive linemen Tony Boselli and Alan Faneca, linebackers Sam Mills, Zach Thomas and Clay Matthews, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, safeties John Lynch and LeRoy Butler, and cornerback Ronde Barber.
The weekend of the Super Bowl, the 48-person selection committee will whittle the list down to five who will be enshrined.