PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. ALL RIGHT, WELL, HOW ABOUT THIS. THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME RELEASES ITS LIST OF SEMIFINALISTS FOR THE CLASS OF 2026. AND AMONG THOSE MAKING THE CUT, STEELERS WIDE RECEIVER HINES WARD. THIS IS HIS 10TH TIME AS A HALL OF FAME SEMIFINALIST. NOW HE’S JOINED BY FORMER PITT STAR AND LONGTIME ARIZONA ARIZONA CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVER LARRY FITZGERALD. THIS IS FITZGERALD’S FIRST YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY FOR THE HALL OF FAME. THE 2026 HALL OF FAME CLASS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT NFL HONORS. THAT’S IN FEBRUARY.
Hines Ward, Larry Fitzgerald among semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Fitzgerald outpaces Ward in career numbers, despite Ward’s two Super Bowl wins with Steelers
Updated: 5:43 PM EST Nov 25, 2025
Former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.The Arizona Cardinals drafted Fitzgerald third overall in 2004, and he spent his entire 17-year NFL career with the Cardinals. Fitzgerald ranks second all-time in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,392), and he is sixth in receiving touchdowns (121).Widely considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Fitzgerald took a big step toward that when he was named one of 26 modern-era semifinalists Tuesday.But being a semifinalist is far from a gold jacket guarantee.Just ask Hines Ward. The former Steelers receiver is also a semifinalist for the Class of 2026. It’s his 10th time reaching this stage of the process.Why do Fitzgerald’s credentials make people think he’ll get to Canton on his first try while Ward is still waiting?Let’s compare their stats:Larry Fitzgerald (17 seasons)1,432 catches (5.4 per game)17,492 receiving yards (66.5 per game)121 touchdowns (.46 per game)263 games played11 Pro Bowls0 Super Bowls0 Super Bowl MVPs10 playoff touchdowns57 playoff receptionsHines Ward (14 seasons)1,000 catches (4.6 per game)12,083 receiving yards (55.7 per game)85 touchdowns (.39 per game)217 games played4 Pro Bowls2 Super Bowls1 Super Bowl MVP10 playoff touchdowns88 playoff receptionsBoth players had impressive careers. Fitzgerald’s longevity contributes to what makes him such a standout.Are Fitzgerald’s numbers really that much more impressive than Ward’s? Is Fitzgerald a shoo-in while Ward continues to wait?Hypothetically, what would Ward’s career numbers have been if he lasted in the league as long as Fitzgerald and both played exactly 263 games?Let’s have some fun and do the math. With both guys playing the same number of games, Ward would have:14,644 yards (Fitzgerald 17,492)1,212 catches (Fitzgerald 1,432)103 touchdowns (Fitzgerald 121)Statistically, Fitzgerald would still have superior numbers. He also had longevity in the league.Ward has a Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl MVP.Ultimately, it’s up to the selection committee whether either player makes it into the Hall of Fame. They will narrow the list to 15 finalists by Dec. 3. The Class of 2026 will be announced the week of Super Bowl LX and will be enshrined next summer.
PITTSBURGH —
Former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
The Arizona Cardinals drafted Fitzgerald third overall in 2004, and he spent his entire 17-year NFL career with the Cardinals. Fitzgerald ranks second all-time in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,392), and he is sixth in receiving touchdowns (121).
Widely considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Fitzgerald took a big step toward that when he was named one of 26 modern-era semifinalists Tuesday.
But being a semifinalist is far from a gold jacket guarantee.
Just ask Hines Ward. The former Steelers receiver is also a semifinalist for the Class of 2026. It’s his 10th time reaching this stage of the process.
Why do Fitzgerald’s credentials make people think he’ll get to Canton on his first try while Ward is still waiting?
Let’s compare their stats:
Larry Fitzgerald (17 seasons)1,432 catches (5.4 per game)17,492 receiving yards (66.5 per game)121 touchdowns (.46 per game)263 games played11 Pro Bowls0 Super Bowls0 Super Bowl MVPs10 playoff touchdowns57 playoff receptionsHines Ward (14 seasons)1,000 catches (4.6 per game)12,083 receiving yards (55.7 per game)85 touchdowns (.39 per game)217 games played4 Pro Bowls2 Super Bowls1 Super Bowl MVP10 playoff touchdowns88 playoff receptions
Both players had impressive careers. Fitzgerald’s longevity contributes to what makes him such a standout.
Are Fitzgerald’s numbers really that much more impressive than Ward’s? Is Fitzgerald a shoo-in while Ward continues to wait?
Hypothetically, what would Ward’s career numbers have been if he lasted in the league as long as Fitzgerald and both played exactly 263 games?
Let’s have some fun and do the math. With both guys playing the same number of games, Ward would have:
14,644 yards (Fitzgerald 17,492)1,212 catches (Fitzgerald 1,432)103 touchdowns (Fitzgerald 121)
Statistically, Fitzgerald would still have superior numbers. He also had longevity in the league.
Ward has a Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl MVP.
Ultimately, it’s up to the selection committee whether either player makes it into the Hall of Fame. They will narrow the list to 15 finalists by Dec. 3. The Class of 2026 will be announced the week of Super Bowl LX and will be enshrined next summer.