Pro Football Hall of Fame has a chance to finally fix mistake

Always remember, it is no coincidence that the most significant offensive play in Washington Redskins history was a designed run behind left guard Russ Grimm and left tackle Joe Jacoby. John Riggins took the 4th & 1 handoff 43 yards for a Redskins touchdown, giving them a 20-17 4th quarter lead over Miami in Super Bowl XVII.

Riggins and Grimm were deservedly elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF). It is long overdue for Jacoby. The reality is that only one former member of the «Hogs» offensive line has been voted into the Hall of Fame (Grimm). Year after year, Jacoby has been considered by the committee, but continues to be rejected.

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On Wednesday, the PFHOF announced that it has nine semifinalists in the seniors category. That is, the players must have concluded their careers with or before the 2000 NFL season. For the 2026 class, the voting process for senior candidates began several weeks ago, with 182 nominees. Nine semifinalists remain: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, Henry Ellard, L.C. Greenwood, Joe Jacoby, Eddie Meador, Stanley Morgan, Steve Tasker, and Otis Taylor.

Jacoby fans have been angered year after year by his rejections. Jacoby was a monster left tackle who, though undrafted out of Louisville, was starting by his fourth NFL game. Who could have imagined that when Washington signed Jacoby as an undrafted free agent, he would one day be voted to the 1980s All-Decade team?

«Jake» played in 170 games, was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, NFC Champ for four seasons, and Super Bowl Champion for three seasons. He began starting at left tackle and quickly became one of John Madden’s favorite offensive linemen.

When Washington traded QB Jay Schroeder to the Raiders (1988), Jim Lachey came to the Redskins in return. Jacoby was moved to right tackle, where he again excelled, permitting Lachey to remain at his familiar left tackle position. Beaten down by injuries and age 34, Jacoby played only five games in his final NFL season of 1993.

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As for the HOF 2026 class? Well, the process will eventually be whittled down to 20 finalists. The 20 finalists will be presented at the Selection Committee’s annual meeting next year in advance of Super Bowl LX. There will be 15 Modern-Era Players, three seniors, one coach and one contributor.

For Washington fans, it is an injustice if Jacoby is not elected into the Hall. Yet, in all seriousness, that is how 49er fans feel about Roger Craig. Likewise, how Bengal fans feel about Ken Anderson. Henry Ellard who actually played five seasons with the Redskins (1994-98) was one of the greatest athlete receivers to ever play in the NFL. Yet, he is not yet a member of the HOF.

The PFHOF has not yet stipulated an exact number of finalists who are to be elected annually into the HOF. However, the Hall of Fame’s selection process bylaws currently stipulate that between four and eight new members shall be selected.

Jacoby has been rejected through this process for so many years; Commanders Wire is certainly hoping for and pulling for «Jake» to finally be elected into the Hall in the class of 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Is this Joe Jacoby’s year for Hall of Fame?