Joe Staley, three other 49ers legends named to Top 50 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

Joe Staley is one step closer to seeing his name etched in Canton as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame made its cutdown to 50 modern-era finalists Wednesday, naming Joe Staley and there other former San Francisco 49ers on this year’s ballot. The former left tackle is joined by wide receiver Anquan Boldin, running back Ricky Watters and kicker Gary Anderson. While all nominees are highly regarded, the headlines highlight Staley, making the Top 50 in the first year he is eligible.

Joe Staley, 40, was drafted by San Francisco in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He would go on to play all 13 seasons in the bay area. The Central Michigan alum is six-time Pro Bowler, anchoring the 49ers’ offensive line for a decade-plus. He also had a Pro Football Focus grade of 80.0 or higher for seven separate seasons. Staley is also a part of All-Decade Team for the 2010s.

Now five years removed from his retirement following the 2019 season, the Michigan man is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former #49ers LT Joe Staley is among eight first-time eligible candidates to advance through the initial cutdown for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, per @MaioccoNBCS

Former 49ers Ricky Watters, Anquan Boldin, and Gary Anderson are also eligible pic.twitter.com/nn7pvRzwHz

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) October 23, 2024

While only with the 49ers for three seasons, Boldin left an impact with San Francisco in the middle 2010s. Spending time with the Cardinals, Ravens, and Lions, the Florida native finished his 14-year career with 13,779 receiving yards, 1076 receptions, and 83 total TDs. During his time in the Bay Area, Boldin had over 3,000 receiving yards and 16 TDs.

He has been a semifinalist four times.

A 49er to start his career, Watters got off to a hot start in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first three years. The Notre Dame alum spent time with the Eagles, and Seahawks as well. He finished his career with 14,891 scrimmage yards, and 91 total TDs in 144 career games.

He has been a semifinalist five times.

Only a member of the Red & Gold for one season, Anderson left his mark on the gridiron. The Syracuse alum played for the 49ers in 1997, making 80.6% of his field goals. He was also perfect on extra points, going 38/38.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will go through two more cut-downs, next reducing the total from 50 to 25 semifinalists in the coming month. Then, the official class of 2025 will be revealed in February as mark of the NFL Honors telecast.

Click here for the full list of 50 modern-era finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:

Regular Season

• Sunday, October 27th vs. Dallas Cowboys [SNF] – 5:20 pm PDT
• Week 9 Bye Week
• Sunday, November 10th @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10 am PDT
• Sunday, November 17th vs. Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 pm PDT
• Sunday, November 24th @ Green Bay Packers – 1:25 pm PDT

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