Patrick Willis
FILE - San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) celebrates after sacking New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the third quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. Patrick Willis is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Giants-49ers 11/13/2011

Dec. 30, 2021 06:17 PM EST

FILE -Kansas City Chiefs Jared Allen (69) celebrates a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. Jared Allen is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2022.(AP Photo/Dick Whipple, File)
Hester, Ware, Andre Johnson 1st-year Hall of Fame finalists

By Barry Wilner Dec. 30, 2021 05:50 PM EST

Former Indianapolis Colts' Robert Mathis, right, reacts after being inducted into the Ring of Honor by Colts owner Jim Irsay during a ceremony at halftime in an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Colts owner donates $3 million for mental health studies

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2021 12:19 PM EST

Former Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester smiles during a retirement ceremony Monday, April 23, 2018 at Halas Hall. Seven first-time eligible former players, including wide receivers Andre Johnson, Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin, are among 26 modern day semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2022. Joining them as candidates for induction next year are outstanding kick returner Devin Hester; pass-rushing standouts Robert Mathis and DeMarcus Ware; and run-stuffing defensive tackle Vince Wilfork. Each last played in the 2016 season. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Andre Johnson, Steve Smith among Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2021 01:04 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2009, file photo, Green Bay Packers' Charles Woodson reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Green Bay, Wis. Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson are first-year eligible players to make the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching, File)
Manning, Woodson, Megatron are Hall of Fame semifinalists

By Barry Wilner Nov. 24, 2020 01:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers' Raheem Mostert speaks to reporters at the team's NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif. Long before the sports world had been shut down and when only one death from the coronavirus had been reported in California, Mostert was concerned enough about the pandemic to cancel an appearance at an autograph show in early March. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Mostert acknowledges family concern over return to practice

By Josh Dubow May. 21, 2020 02:23 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 7, 1989, file photo, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice runs past New Orleans Saints' Toi Cook for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Rice set records with 1,549 catches, 22,895 yards receiving and 208 TDs, while helping the Niners win three Super Bowl titles. (AP Photo/Martha Jane Stanton, File)
A look at the best and worst in 49ers draft history

By Josh Dubow Apr. 21, 2020 07:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2016, file photo, Baltimore Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, right, talks with quarterback Joe Flacco during practice at the NFL football teams training camp in Baltimore. Yanda was selected to the 2010s NFL All-Decade Team announced Monday, April 6, 2020, by the NFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
8 unanimous picks for All-Decade Team include Brady, Watt

By Barry Wilner Apr. 06, 2020 12:42 PM EDT

FLE - In this Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning, left, is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game in Santa Clara, Calif. Next Monday, April 6, 2020, the Hall of Fame and the NFL will announce the roster for the 2010-19 All-Decade team. Kuechly is a possible pick at linebacker. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
All-Decade Team a dicey proposition, other than a few stars

By Barry Wilner Mar. 30, 2020 03:43 PM EDT

Baltimore Raven's John Harbaugh winning the AP Coach of the Year at the NFL Honors football award show Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The Latest: Calais Campbell chosen NFL Man of the Year

By The Associated Press Feb. 01, 2020 05:01 PM EST

FILE - At left, in a Jan. 30, 2019, file photo, New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski speaks with members of the media during a news conference in Atlanta. At center, in an Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck speaks during a news conference following the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, in Indianapolis. At right, in an Aug. 2, 2019, file photo, Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly watches teammates warm up at training camp in Charlotte, N.C. Life in the NFL is short. The recent retirements of three of the game's best 30-and-under stars -- Gronkowski, Luck and Kuechly -- could be coincidence or the start of a worrisome trend. (AP Photo/File)
Column: 'We Don't Like to Draft a Guy Who's Too Smart'

By Jim Litke Jan. 25, 2020 02:39 AM EST

FILE- In this Dec. 8, 2013, file photo, San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis reacts during player introductions before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in San Francisco. Safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Seahawks-49ers 12/8/2013

Nov. 26, 2019 01:24 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2009, file photo, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, right, reaches out while attempting a catch under the defense of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Jaguars Colts

Nov. 26, 2019 01:24 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2013, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu follows the action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh. Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Bills-Steelers 11/10/2013

Nov. 26, 2019 01:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2009, file photo, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, right, reaches out while attempting a catch under the defense of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox in the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis are first-year eligible players among the 25 semifinalists of the modern era for the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Polamalu, Wayne, Willis 1st year eligible for Hall of Fame

By Barry Wilner Nov. 26, 2019 01:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2013, file photo, the Superdome is viewed after the lights went out during the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game in New Orleans. Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens were turning the Super Bowl into a rout when, without even a flicker of warning, the power went off. When the game resumed 34 minutes later, the San Francisco 49ers were the ones playing lights out. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
NFL At 100-AP Was There-Super Bowl 47

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2019 12:50 PM EST

Colts-Steelers Preview Capsule

By The Associated Press Oct. 31, 2019 12:08 PM EDT
INDIANAPOLIS (5-2) at PITTSBURGH (3-4) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS OPENING LINE — Pick'em RECORD VS....

Broncos-Colts Preview Capsule

By The Associated Press Oct. 24, 2019 07:22 PM EDT
DENVER (2-5) at INDIANAPOLIS (4-2) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS OPENING LINE — Colts by 6½ RECORD VS....

Hall of Fame announces 122 nominees for class of 2020

Sep. 12, 2019 01:01 PM EDT
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — First-time eligible candidates Troy Polamalu and Patrick Willis are among 122 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White, left, takes down running back Dare Ogunbowale (44) after a reception during an NFL football training camp practice Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Rookie LB Devin White new face of Tampa Bay's defense

By Fred Goodall Aug. 02, 2019 06:43 PM EDT