Willie Anderson joins Ken Riley as finalist for Hall of Fame class of 2023

Big Willie is a finalist again!

Former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson has been named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Anderson, who played 12 of his 13 career seasons and started 184 games in Cincinnati, was elected to four Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro lists. When you factor in that he was a right tackle, those numbers are incredible for the era. And let’s not forget the fact that he allowed just one sack against nine of the league’s top 11 sack artists in history and allowed just one quarterback takedown.

Anderson’s reputation as arguably the greatest right tackle in the last quarter century also earned him a spot in the Bengas’ second Ring of Honor class this year along with Isaac Curtis.

Ken Riley, who was an inaugural Ring of Honor inductee last year, is a senior finalist for this year’s class. Both Bengals legends must receive 80 percent approval from the Hall of Fame’s Board of Selectors during a virtual meeting on January 17th. Up to five modern candidates can win induction, and the three senior finalists, including Riley, and coach/contributor finalist in Don Coryell could make it a nine-member class.

This is Anderson’s second-straight nomination as a finalist, and with luck, hopefully his last due to being inducted later this month.