FILE – Pittsburgh huge receiver Larry Fitzgerald catches a cross for a landing towards Ball State within the second half of an NCAA school soccer sport in Pittsburgh on Sept. 13, 2003 picture. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Quarterback Drew Brees and huge receiver Larry Fitzgerald headlined a bunch of 4 trendy period finalists of their first yr of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tight finish Jason Witten and operating again Frank Gore have been the 2 different first-year eligible gamers who have been additionally introduced Tuesday among the 15 finalists.
Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri have been assured spots after advancing to the ultimate seven in voting for the 2025 class. There are six different returning finalists with Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson all making it again to this stage.
Defensive deal with Kevin Williams made it to the finalist stage for the primary time in his sixth yr of eligibility.
The 50-person choice committee will vote on the 15 finalists subsequent month with the outcomes introduced Feb. 5 at “NFL Honors.” Between three and 5 of the finalists will probably be inducted within the second yr of this present format.
In addition to the trendy period finalists, the choice committee can even take into account seniors candidates Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood, teaching candidate Bill Belichick and contributor Robert Kraft. Between one and three of these finalists will make it into the Hall.
Only 4 individuals received in final yr for the smallest class in 20 years.
Brees and Fitzgerald are the highest new candidates this yr.
Fitzgerald spent his whole profession with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third total in 2004. His 1,432 catches and 17,492 yards receiving in 17 seasons rank second all time to Jerry Rice.
Fitzgerald topped 1,000 yards receiving 9 occasions — tied for the fourth most ever — and helped the Cardinals attain their solely Super Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season information that postseason with 546 yards receiving and 7 TD catches, together with a go-ahead 64-yard rating with 2:37 to play within the Super Bowl earlier than Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.
Patriots WR in hassle
BOSTON — New England Patriots star huge receiver Stefon Diggs is dealing with strangulation and different legal prices in reference to a dispute along with his former personal chef, police mentioned.
News of the costs emerged after a court docket listening to Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
Diggs’ lawyer, David Meier, mentioned in an emailed assertion that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.”
Meier mentioned the allegations by no means occurred, describing them as unsubstantiated and uncorroborated. A court docket arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23.
“The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction,” Meier wrote.
Cowboys waive CB Diggs
FRISCO, Texas — The Cowboys waived cornerback Trevon Diggs on Tuesday, ending a tumultuous closing season a sport early in a Dallas profession that by no means lived as much as the promise of a 2021 All-Pro efficiency that included 11 interceptions.
The transfer got here 5 days earlier than Dallas’ season finale Sunday on the New York Giants, with the Cowboys (7-8-1) already assured to overlook the playoffs for the second yr in a row.