Lance Briggs won’t make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year.
The former Bears linebacker wasn’t among the 25 modern-era semifinalists announced by the Hall on Tuesday. Neither was former Bears center Olin Kreutz who, like Briggs, was among the 122 players nominated for the Hall in September.
From 2003-14, Briggs had 16 interceptions, five defensive touchdowns, seven fumble recoveries, 16 forced fumbles and 15 sacks. He was a first-team all-pro in 2005 and made seven Pro Bowl appearances.
Defensive end Simeon Rice, who attended Mount Carmel and Illinois, is a semifinalist for the second time in his career — the other coming two years ago. He played for the Cardinals, Buccaneers, Broncos and Colts from 1996-2007.
The other 24 semifinalists were: safety Steve Atwater, linebacker Carl Banks, cornerback Ronde Barber, tackle Tony Boselli, receiver Isaac Bruce, safety LeRoy Butler, guard Alan Faneca, receiver Torry Holt, guard Steve Hutchinson, running back Edgerrin James, safety John Lynch, linebacker Clay Matthews, linebacker Sam Mills, safety Troy Polamalu, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, special teamer Steve Tasker, running back Fred Taylor, linebacker Zach Thomas, receiver Hines Ward, running back Ricky Watters, receiver Reggie Wayne, linebacker Patrick Willis, safety Darren Woodson and defensive tackle Bryant Young.
Fellow linebacker Brian Urlacher, the franchise’s most recent Hall of Famer, said during his Hall of Fame speech in 2018 that he believed Briggs deserved to be enshrined.
“He elevated not only my game but the entire defense — his enthusiasm was contagious,” Urlacher said, turning to him in the crowd. “We’ll be back here in a couple years for your induction, ‘Big Time.’ ”
