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The Pro Football Hall of Fame named seven first-year eligible players as semifinalists for the class of 2022.
The semifinalists will be cut to 15 next month because of a tie in the voting. Up to five modern-era players can be included in the class of 2022, which will be announced during the NFL Honors.
Both Johnson and Ware played their last game in 2016 and were in their first year of eligibility. In their first year of eligibility, Anquan Boldin, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, and Vince Wilfork were among this year's semifinalists.
The other semifinalists are: Eric Allen, Willie Anderson, Tony Boselli, LeRoy butler, Eddie George, Torry Holt, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Steve Tasker, Fred Taylor, and Ricky Watters.
Last year, all of the candidates were finalist. Seymour has been a finalist three times.
Young was a finalist.
Hester and Tasker are both special teams players, but they are also on the list of players who played wide receiver.
Smith is eighth all-time in receiving yards, Wayne is 10th, Johnson is 11th, Holt is 16th, and Ward is 27th.
Ware is 13th all time in sacks with 138.6, he ended his career with the Denver Broncos. Allen is 16th all-time with 136 sacks.
The seniors committee selected Dick Vermeil, who is already a finalist as a coach, as well as Cliff Branch and Art McNally, who are also finalist as contributors. The three were chosen earlier this year.
The Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, will be getting new members in August.
The Associated Press contributed to the report.
