Willie Anderson, a standout offensive lineman who first made a name for himself on the football field at Vigor High School in Mobile, has been named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022. It is the first time Anderson has advanced to the finalist round of voting since becoming eligible for enshrinement nine years ago.
Anderson went on from Vigor to a standout career at Auburn University, where his play in the trenches caught the attention of NFL scouts. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most reliable and physically dominant right tackles.
Over a 13-year professional career, 12 of those seasons with the Bengals and his final year with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, Anderson built a reputation as both an elite run blocker and a steady presence in pass protection. He earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Rookie team in 1996 and was later selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2004 through 2007. He was a first-team All-Pro selection from 2004 to 2006 and was also named to the All-AFC team in both 2005 and 2006.
Anderson’s durability was as notable as his talent. He appeared in 195 career games and started 184 of them, anchoring the offensive line for a Bengals franchise that relied heavily on his consistency in the trenches. In 2004, he was honored with the Ed Block Courage Award, which recognizes players who exemplify sportsmanship and commitment to the community.
Anderson is joined on the modern-era finalist ballot by former Troy Trojans standout DeMarcus Ware, who built a decorated career as a pass rusher for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. Ware was a first-round pick of the Cowboys in 2005, the 11th player selected that year, and became an immediate starter. Across 12 NFL seasons, he was named to nine Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro honors four times and was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He finished his career with 138.5 sacks and remains the Dallas Cowboys’ all-time sacks leader with 117.
The full modern-era finalist list for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 also includes Jared Allen, Ronde Barber, Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Zach Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis and Bryant Young. Dick Vermeil, Art McNally and Cliff Branch round out the finalists from the coach, contributor and senior nomination categories, respectively.
Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection committee will vote to determine as many as five inductees for the Class of 2022. A candidate must appear on at least 80 percent of the submitted ballots to earn enshrinement.
Among the other finalists is Reggie Wayne, the longtime Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, who has a strong South Alabama connection of his own. Wayne is the uncle of Jalen Wayne, a wide receiver for the University of South Alabama who is set to return for his senior season with the Jaguars.
For Mobile-area football fans, Anderson’s rise from Vigor High School to the doorstep of professional football’s highest honor stands as one of the more remarkable local sports stories in recent memory, and the announcement of the Class of 2022 inductees is expected in the weeks ahead.