The Right Tackle for the Bengals Franchise For the third year in a row, Willie Anderson qualifies for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Willie Anderson, a member of the Bengals Ring of Honor, has advanced to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Modern Era balloting finals for the 2024 class for the third consecutive year.
During his twelve seasons in Cincinnati, Anderson became the first right tackle to be named to three consecutive All-Pro first teams in thirty years. He is one of fifteen names that were revealed on Wednesday night.
First-time eligibles Antonio Gates, an undrafted tight end from Kent State by the Chargers who went to eight consecutive Pro Bowls, and Julius Peppers, a dangerous pass rusher for the Panthers who is the only NFL player with at least 100 sacks and more than 10 interceptions, are among those on the list.
In his second year of eligibility, guard Jahri Evans, a four-time All-Pro who is most known for his 11 seasons with the Saints, is the only other offensive lineman on the list. Evans is a first-time finalist.
The only players with more final appearances than Anderson are defensive end Jared Allen (four) and wide receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne (five). After spending just one season with the Ravens, Anderson started in the 2008 AFC Championship Game and retired. He is currently in his eleventh year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame. Only safety Darren Woodson (16) and cornerback Eric Allen (18) have been eligible for longer out of the 15 finalists. Rodney Harrison, a safety, is also eligible for 11 years.
When Anderson, 48, learned the news on Wednesday night, he was speaking with a player’s parent over the phone at his offensive line academy in Atlanta. He sent a quick social media thank you to Who Dey Nation.
“Thank you so much to all our fans who have kept my name alive these last 15 years of retirement,” Anderson wrote in a letter. “Also, those who aren’t Bengals supporters but have supported me the past three years during this run to the finals! I sincerely thank you for everything. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am now, #Whodey!”
Seven of the top eight career sackers Anderson blanked include Peppers, who ranks fourth all-time. Additionally, he didn’t give up a sack to Jared Allen, who is ranked 12th in career sacks.
Anderson ranks higher than recent Hall of Fame linemen Orlando Pace, Steve Hutchinson, Alan Faneca, Will Shields, and Kevin Mawae in the Pro Football Focus total grades. Additionally, Anderson has favorable comparisons with the two most recent Hall tackles: Joe Thomas last year and Tony Boselli in 2022.
“He is a Hall of Famer because of his longevity, position rankings, and blue (best) years. Willie Anderson is a Hall of Famer, is the response. His stats are comparable to those of every other applicant,” remarks Mike Giddings, president of Pioneering Pro Scout, Inc., a venerable NFL scouting service. “The first five years of Boselli are dominated by blue. Although Joe Thomas wasn’t as blue as Willie, he was a reliable player.”The selection committee for the 2024 class, which typically consists of three Senior candidates, five Modern Era candidates, and a Contributor, will convene next month. Bengals.com will hold the Cincinnati vote on this 50-member committee. At NFL Honors, the class is revealed during the week of the Super Bowl. Early in August, induction takes place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
