Twelve former Denver Broncos players are among the 128 Modern-Era nominees for the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. This impressive group includes two Broncos Ring of Fame inductees: the legendary wide receiver Rod Smith and the dominant center Tom Nalen. Their nominations highlight the rich history and talent that has graced the Broncos franchise.
Rod Smith, a testament to perseverance, rose from undrafted free agent to become the Broncos' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. His contributions were instrumental in the Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl victories, and his remarkable career included three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro nods. His 113 receptions in 2001 remains a single-season franchise record, showcasing his consistent dominance on the field.
Tom Nalen, inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 2013, anchored the offensive line during the Broncos' Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII triumphs. His unwavering consistency and skill made him one of the league's elite centers. Part of an offensive line that allowed remarkably few sacks, Nalen's five Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro honors, and impressive 188 starts solidify his legacy as one of the Broncos' greatest offensive linemen. His longevity, only surpassed by John Elway's starts, is a testament to his durability and dedication.
Beyond Smith and Nalen, ten other former Broncos players will compete for this incredible honor. This impressive showing reflects the profound impact these players had on both the Broncos franchise and the sport. The selection process will involve a reduction of the 128 nominees to 50 in October, then to 25 semifinalists, and finally 15 finalists before Super Bowl LX. A maximum of five Modern-Era players will be inducted into the Class of 2026.
The Hall of Fame committee will also consider candidates from the Seniors, Coach, and Contributor categories. While the most recent Bronco inducted, Randy Gradishar, received the honor in the Seniors category, the last Modern-Era selection was DeMarcus Ware in 2023. The anticipation for this year's induction is immense, with many hoping to see some of these Broncos legends immortalized in Canton.
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Originally published at: https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/ring-of-famers-rod-smith-tom-nalen-lead-group-of-12-former-broncos-among-modern-era-nominees-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-s-class-of-2026
