Earl Thomas, a key part of the Seahawks' Super Bowl-winning team and one of the best safeties of his era, is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, and one of six first-year eligible players named a semifinalist.
Another Seahawks Legend, running back Ricky Watters, was also named a semifinalist, his fifth time making it to the semifinalist stage of the selection process. Four Seahawks Legends who were among the final 50 players under consideration for next year's class did not advance to the semifinalist round: running backs Marshawn Lynch and Shaun Alexander, safety Kam Chancellor and defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
Thomas, a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, was a six-time Pro-Bowler and was named first-team All-Pro three times and second-team All-Pro twice during his nine seasons in Seattle, and was also a Pro-Bowl selection in his one season in Baltimore in 2019. Over 10 seasons, Thomas had 713 tackles, 30 interceptions and 71 passes defensed, and more important than any stat he put up, his range and instincts made it all but impossible for teams to throw deep passes in the middle of the field throughout his time in Seattle. And thanks in no small part to Thomas' play, the Seahawks became the only team in the Super Bowl era to lead the NFL in scoring defense for four straight seasons, doing so from 2012 to 2015.
"It's a crucial aspect," Then Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of Thomas’ play in 2014. "He plays a lot of deep-middle responsibility, and people don't appreciate that (opponents) don't throw post routes for touchdowns on us, and how many times they don't throw seam routes for touchdowns on us. That happens all the time every single day in football, and we're great at taking care of that."
Other first-year eligible players to make the semifinal round along with Thomas are linebacker Luke Kuechly, quarterback Eli Manning, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, kicker Adam Vinatieri and guard Marshal Yanda.
Watters, who spent is final four seasons in Seattle after previously playing for the 49ers and Eagles, was a five-time Pro-Bowl selection, and rushed for 10,643 yards and 78 touchdowns in 10 seasons, adding 467 receptions for 4,248 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. Watters rushed for at least 1,100 yards in six straight seasons, including his first three in Seattle in which he eclipsed 1,200 yards in 1998, 1999 and 2000 before injuries limited him to just five games in 2001, his final season in the NFL.
The next step in the selection process will be reducing the list of modern-era players to 15 finalists later this year. Those finalists, along with finalists in the Seniors and Coach and Contributor categories will be announced in December, with the Selection Committing voting on the Hall of Fame Class of 25 in February advance of Super Bowl LIX.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 11 last second win over the division rival 49ers.
Always loyal 12s salute the Seahawks as the team buses depart the Virginia Mason Athletic Center for the airport on Saturday.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba walks across the tarmac after the team landed in San Jose for the game against the 49ers.
Defensive coordniator Aden Durde talks to his defense in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks receiver Cody White makes one-handed grabs during early warmups.
Seahawks defensive leader Jarran Reed brings the team up at the conclusion of pregame warmups.
Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith makes final preparations before leaving the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks safety Julian Love kneels in prayer after taking the field during pregame.
Seahawks game captains Geno Smith, Cody White, Boye Mafe and Jaxon Smith-Njigba at midfield for the opening coin toss.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III leaps between 49ers defenders in the first quarter.
Seahawks defenders Devon Witherspoon, Ernest Jones IV and Jarran Reed bring down 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight brings down 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings by the undershirt as safety Ty Okada closes in.
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins cradles an interception off of a pass tipped by teammate Devon Witherspoon.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon celebrates teammates after his tipped pass was intercepted by teammate Johnathan Hankins in the second quarter.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers nails a 57-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Seahawks linebacker Dre'Mont Jones sacks 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seahawks linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti talks to middle linebackers Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight on the sidelines between series.
Head coach Mike Macdonald talks to the defense in the locker room at halftime.
At halftime, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb confers with quarterback Geno Smith as backup Sam Howell looks on.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett provides a block allowing Kenneth Walker III to gain extra yards.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III celebrates with teammates after his third quarter touchdown.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen tips away a pass in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant bullies 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings to keep him from reaching the first down marker, resulting in a punt that gave Seattle the ball back late in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith spies receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba open over the middle.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds himself with running room on Seattle's final drive.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith takes off on a scramble on Seattle's final drive.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reaches the ball across the goal line as he scores to give Seattle a lead with 12 seconds left in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith celebrates with teammates after his game-winning touchdown run.
In the joyous Seahawks locker room, quarterback Geno Smith is lifted in the air by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White celebrates with teammate Devon Witherspoon.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon was awarded a game ball and dances with teammates in the victorious locker room.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald lets out a yell while surrounded by his team in the victorious locker room after the game.
