Two of the players who helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025, with running back Marshawn Lynch and safety Earl Thomas both among the 16 first-year eligible nominees for next year's class.
Other Seahawks Legends among the 167 modern-era nominees are Ring of Honor member Shaun Alexander, safety Kam Chancellor, running back Chris Warren, running back Ricky Watters, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, LB Julian Peterson, S Eugene Robinson, P Jeff Feagles, receiver Brandon Marshall and kicker John Kasay. Also nominated is former 49ers and Cowboys linebacker Ken Norton Jr., who was the Seahawks' linebackers coach from 2010-2014 and defensive coordinator from 2018-2021.
Thomas, as well as Chancellor, who is in his third year of eligibility, were part of the Legion of Boom defense that helped the Seahawks secure a dominant victory in Super Bowl XLVIII, then return to the Super Bowl the following year. Lynch, meanwhile, helped set the tone with his physical running style, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2012 and four straight Pro-Bowl selections from 2011-2014.
Thomas, who was named first-team All-Pro three times, second-team All-Pro twice and Pro Bowl seven times, is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team along with Lynch, linebacker Bobby Wagner, cornerback Richard Sherman and head coach Pete Carroll.
Lynch, who rushed for 10,413 yards and 85 touchdowns in his career, has Hall of Fame-worthy numbers even without much context, but what those numbers don't fully capture is what he meant to the franchise from the time he arrived in a 2010 trade until he initially retired after the 2015 season, with his physical running style serving as the perfect complement to the league's top defense.
"He means everything to this offense," receiver Doug Baldwin said prior to Super Bowl XLIX. "I don't know where we would be without Marshawn Lynch. He is the engine. He is the heart and soul of this offense. Everything runs through him. Despite what everyone wants to think, Marshawn Lynch is this offense. I don't know what else to say about that."
Thomas, meanwhile, was a huge reason why the Seahawks were able to lead the NFL in scoring defense for four straight seasons from 2012-2015, making them the only team in the Super Bowl era to accomplish that feat. Wagner was helping make the whole thing operate as middle linebacker, Chancellor was the big-hitting tone-setter, and Sherman was the dominant corner piling up interceptions while also being the biggest personality on the team, but as the free safety on the back end of the defense, Thomas was the eraser. Yes, he made plenty of memorable plays ranging from interceptions to big hits, but what might have meant the most to Seattle's defensive was the plays opponents didn't even attempt to make.
"It's a crucial aspect," 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."
The list of nominees will be trimmed to 50 players, plus ties, by a screening committee, with that list being announced in mid-October, then that list will be further reduced to 25 semifinalists by the full 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee. From there, another vote will reduce the list to 15 finalists whose Hall of Fame cases will be discussed at the annual meeting ahead of Super Bowl LVIX.
Seahawks Legend Marshawn Lynch -- affectionately known as "Beast Mode," was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and he was a part of the Seahawks during their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014, including winning Super Bowl XLVIII. Take a look back at his time in Seattle.
Marshawn Lynch celebrates with teammates after his touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Seahawks a 23-8 lead.
NFL Football: NFC Conference Playoff: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Game Action CenturyLink Field/Seattle, WA, USA 1/19/2014 X157457 TK1 Credit: Rod Mar
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) lines up in position during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C. Carolina won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes for a gain during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a touchdown in action against the Denver Broncos February 2, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Seattle defeated Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XKVIII (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, left, and Justin Forsett, right, take the field during introductions prior to an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) carries the ball during the NFL football NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, January 19, 2014, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 23-17 to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
So. Beastly. Marshawn Lynch stands tall after his fourth rushing touchdown of the afternoon, this one a 16-yard scamper up the middle to give the Seahawks a 31-17 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) and defensive end Greg Hardy (76) tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during an NFL game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, November 1, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the Cowboys, 13-12. (James D. Smith via AP)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks away to score a touchdown as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck celebrates in the background during the second half of an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle against the New Orleans Saints. The Seahawks won 41-36. Lynch finished with 131 yards on 19 carries, the first Seattle back to top 100 yards all season. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks away from a tackle by the New Orleans Saints defenders to score a touchdown in the second half of an NFL NFC wild card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch pauses before crossing the goal line with his third touchdown of the game.
Marshawn Lynch rumbles free on a 13-yard carry in the fourth quarter as Seattle's offense ate up 11 minutes of the final quarter to seal the victory.
Marshawn Lynch is congratulated by quarterback Russell Wilson after the touchdown.
Running back Marshawn Lynch bangs his way towards the end zone in the fourth quarter.
NFL Football: NFC Conference Playoff: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks Game Action CenturyLink Field/Seattle, WA, USA 1/19/2014 X157457 TK1 Credit: Rod Mar
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks out for a touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore (25) during an NFL football game on Sunday, November 10, 2013 in Atlanta. The Seahawks won 33-10. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers; Marshawn Lynch
