NaVorro Bowman Nominated for Hall of Fame Class of 2023

Former 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman could be headed to Canton, Ohio in 2023.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its initial list of 129 nominees Tuesday, which includes nine candidates who are eligible for the first time. One of those nine is Bowman.

Others nominated for the first time include cornerback Darrell Revis, offensive lineman Joe Thomas and running back Chris Johnson.

Former #49ers LB NaVorro Bowman has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Other Niners include: Patrick Willis, Jeff Garcia, Ricky Watters, Anquan Boldin, Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes, Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald, Gary Anderson.

H/T @49erswebzone pic.twitter.com/BW4w5ICRDd

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 20, 2022

Bowman featured in 107 games in his career, including eight in postseason play. He was drafted by the 49ers with a third-round pick in 2010 NFL Draft. The linebacker was named to the NFL All-Pro team four times in his career.

His career was cut short following the 2017 season after he experienced knee and Achilles injuries that hindered his abilities on the field.

His former running mate, Patrick Willis, also returns as a finalist this year. Willis advanced to the final 15 for the Class of 2022 for the first time in his third years of eligibility.

In total, ten former 49ers players were nominated Tuesday. In addition to Bowman and Willis, the shortlist includes quarterback Jeff Garcia, running back Ricky Watters, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive lineman Justin Smith, linebacker Takeo Spikes, and defensive backs Merton Hanks and Tim McDonald, and kicker Gary Anderson.

Here is the complete list of the modern-era nominees:

QUARTERBACKS (6): Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Jeff Garcia, Dave Krieg, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair.

RUNNING BACKS (17): Shaun Alexander, Mike Alstott (FB), Tiki Barber, Larry Centers (FB), Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Vonta Leach (FB), Jamal Lewis, Lorenzo Neal (FB), Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters, Brian Westbrook.

WIDE RECEIVERS (20): Anquan Boldin, Troy Brown (also PR/KR), Donald Driver, Henry Ellard (also PR), Irving Fryar, Devin Hester (also PR/KR), Torry Holt, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, Andre Johnson, Derrick Mason, Muhsin Muhammad, Andre Rison, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker, Roddy White.

TIGHT ENDS (3): Dallas Clark, Ben Coates, Wesley Walls.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (21): Willie Anderson (T), Matt Birk (C), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans (G),  D’Brickashaw Ferguson (T), Kevin Glover (C/G), Jordan Gross (T), Olin Kreutz (C), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Tom Nalen (C), Nate Newton (G/T), Jeff Saturday (C), Mark Schlereth (G/C), Chris Snee (G), Joe Thomas (T), Brian Waters (G), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (14): John Abraham (DE, also LB), Jared Allen (DE), Dwight Freeney (DE), La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Casey Hampton (DT/NT), Robert Mathis (DE), Leslie O’Neal (DE), Simeon Rice (DE), Clyde Simmons (DE/DT), Justin Smith (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Justin Tuck (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT/DE).

LINEBACKERS (17): Jessie Armstead, Cornelius Bennett, NaVorro Bowman, Lance Briggs, Chad Brown, Tedy Bruschi, James Farrior, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Seth Joyner, Willie McGinest (also DE), Takeo Spikes, Pat Swilling (also DE), Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Patrick Willis, Al Wilson.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (19): Eric Allen (CB), Ronde Barber (CB/S), Dre’ Bly (CB), Kam Chancellor (S), Nick Collins (S), Antonio Cromartie (CB), Merton Hanks (S), Rodney Harrison (S), Albert Lewis (CB), Terry McDaniel (CB), Tim McDonald (S), Darrelle Revis (CB), Allen Rossum (CB), Asante Samuel (CB), Bob Sanders (S), Charles Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), Adrian Wilson (S), Darren Woodson (S).

PUNTERS/KICKERS (10): Gary Anderson (K), Jason Elam (K), Jeff Feagles (P), Jason Hanson (K), John Kasay, (K), Sean Landeta (P), Shane Lechler (P), Ryan Longwell (K), Pat McAfee (P), Matt Turk (P).

SPECIAL TEAMS (2): Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB).

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