Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is among the 25 players listed as modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2020. Also on the list is current 49ers general manager John Lynch, who played safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos.
Other former 49ers represented are defensive tackle Bryant Young (1994–2007), running back Ricky Watters (1991–94), and wide receiver Isaac Bruce (2008-09).
BREAKING: 3 first-year eligible players are among the list of 25 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists for the Class of 2020. #PFHOF20
More on the semifinalists: https://t.co/gn5wGtyCVt pic.twitter.com/C1ViE4524c
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 26, 2019
Willis and Young played their entire careers with San Francisco.
"I'm truly honored," Willis told Steve Wyche of NFL Network shortly after the list of semifinalists was released. "Just those names that you just named (Brian Urlacher, Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus) were guys that I looked up to before I got to the NFL, and just to be mentioned in the same story as them is just truly a blessing. I'm truly honored, and I'm grateful for it."
Willis, Young, and Watters are among seven first-time semifinalists announced by the NFL on Tuesday. The list of 25 players was narrowed down from a list of 122 nominees announced in September.
There has been some debate whether or not Willis' shortened career would hinder his chances of getting into the Pro Football Hall of Game.
"What I wanted to do is just be mentioned when guys talk about defense, when they talked about great players," Willis said. "I know now that I'm done, when people talk about football, they mention Patrick, and for me, that goes a long way. So as far as making it to the Hall of Fame, I would say when it happens one day, I'll be grateful. Right now, I'm just enjoying the ride."
Former 49ers players who did not make the 25-player list of semifinalists include Justin Smith, Jeff Garcia, Brent Jones, Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald, Kevin Gogan, Takeo Spikes, David Akers, and Gary Anderson.
The semifinalist list will be trimmed down to 15, then 10, and then five on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Miami, Florida, the sight of Super Bowl LIV. Ten seniors, three Contributors, and two coaches will join the five modern-era players.
The 49ers made Willis the No. 11 overall draft pick in 2007, and he spent eight seasons with San Francisco before retiring after the 2014 season. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and is a five-time first-team All-Pro.
San Francisco made Young the No. 7 overall draft pick in 1994, and he spent 14 seasons with the team. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times and was a first-team All-Pro in 1996.
Watters played his first three NFL seasons in San Francisco, and, like Young, was a member of the team's 1994 Super Bowl squad. He was named to five Pro Bowls during his 11-year NFL career.
Lynch was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection throughout his 15-year NFL career. During that time, he registered 1,051 combined tackles, 26 interceptions, 13 sacks, and 16 forced fumbles, according to ESPN.
The 49ers named Lynch as their general manager in January of 2017, shortly before the hiring of head coach Kyle Shanahan.