The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 122 Modern-Era nominees for its Class of 2022, and six former Bengals greats are on the list:
- Willie Anderson
- Corey Dillon
- Boomer Esiason
- Chad Johnson
- Justin Smith
- Takeo Spikes
Here is a more in-depth look at the nominees during their Bengals careers.
WILLIE ANDERSON
Four-time Pro Bowler. Bengals first round draft selection in 1996. Played in 181 Bengals games, tied for eighth place on the team's all-time list. Helped set club record for fewest sacks allowed in 2007 at 17. Recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 2004, given to players who best demonstrate commitment to values of sportsmanship and courage.
COREY DILLON
Three-time Pro Bowler. Holds team records for career rushing attempts (1865), career rushing yards (8061), most 100-yard games (28) and most rushing touchdowns in a game (4). His 96-yard touchdown run against Detroit in 2001 is the longest rush in team history.
BOOMER ESIASON
Three-time Pro Bowler who led Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII. Named NFL Most Valuable Player in 1988. Holds team records for passing yards in a game (490) and career average yards per passing attempt (7.62). Second in team history in 300-yard passing games (23), and third in career passing yards (27,149) and touchdown passes (187).
Check out some of the best action photos from the six former Bengals who spent multiple seasons in Cincinnati. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a total of 122 Modern-Era nominees for its Class of 2022.
DE Justin Smith rushes the passer in a game against the San Diego Chargers during the 2001 season.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) rolls out to pass during a game against the Buffalo Bills. (AP Photo/David Durochik)
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson runs for a 75-yard touchdown after catching a pass from Carson Palmer in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson moves forward to block against the Houston Texans at Paul Brown Stadium.
Running back Corey Dillon rushes the ball in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2003 season.
Linebacker Takeo Spikes runs toward a ball carrier during a 2002 game against the Cleveland Browns.
Defensive lineman Justin Smith rushes the passer against the Baltimore Ravens in a game at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2004 season.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason unleashes a pass during their game with the Cleveland Browns at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Nov. 11, 1985. Esiason was 23 for 33 with 262 yards and one touchdown pass in the Bengals 27-10 win. (AP Photo/Jim Callaway)
Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson points over to the fans after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in 2006.
Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson looks on pregame as Cincinnati hosted the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2005 season.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon (28) pushes away Denver Broncos defender Al Wilson, left, in the first half Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Linebacker Takeo Spikes makes a tackle against the San Diego Chargers during the 2001 season.
Bengals defensive end Justin Smith celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 30, 2001.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason (7) turns to handoff during game against the Los Angeles Rams in Anaheim, Oct. 7, 1990. The Bengals defeated the Rams 34-31 in overtime. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Bengals receiver Chad Johnson smiles during pregame warmups as Cincinnati hosted the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium during the 2005 season.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Willie Anderson (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Running back Corey Dillon rushes the football against the San Francisco 49ers in a 44-30 victory during the 1999 season.
Linebacker Takeo Spikes looks on during the fourth quarter in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2002 season.
Cincinnati Bengals Justin Smith, right, stretches past Philadelphia Eagles Alonzo Ephraim (76) to recover a fumble during the second quarter against the Sunday, Jan.2, 2005 in Philadelphia. Smith hit Eagles quarterback Koy Detmer forcing him to fumble. (AP PHoto/Miles Kennedy)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason answers questions at Media Day January 17, 1989 before Super Bowl XXIII in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Cincinnati Bengals wide reciever Chad Ocho Cinco stiff arms Ike Taylor of the Pittsburg Steelers during a NFL football game, Sunday Oct. 19, 2008.(AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
2003: Willie Anderson blocking during a game at Paul Brown Stadium.
Running back Corey Dillon points for a first down in a 2002 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium.
Linebacker Takeo Spikes tackles Ravens tight end Todd Heap in a game during the 2003 season at Paul Brown Stadium.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Verron Haynes (34) fumbles after being tackled by Cincinnati Bengals Kevin Kaesviham (34) and Tory James (20) in the fourth quarter of NFL football action Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006 in Pittsburgh. Recovering the ball for the Bengals is Brian Simmons. On the next play Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw a touchdown pass to Bengals T.J. Houshmandzadeh to seal a 28-20 win over the Steelers. Top is Bengals' Justin Smith.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason holds the Schick Trophy as the NFL's Most Valuable Player for the 1988 season.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson points to the sidelines as he stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson in action during the 2006 season.
1999: Running back Corey Dillon in action.
Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes is honored during the Bengals Legends Halftime Ceremony during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cincinnati. (NFL Photos via AP)
CHAD JOHNSON
Six-time Pro Bowler. Bengals career leader in receptions (751), receiving yards (10,783) and receiving touchdowns (66), and second in 100-yard receiving games (31). Second all-time in total touchdowns (66), behind FB Pete Johnson (70).
JUSTIN SMITH
Fourth overall pick in 2001 NFL Draft. Logged Bengals rookie-record 8.5 sacks, breaking 8.0 set by James Francis in 1990. In 111 games Bengals games had 43.5 sacks, 470 tackles and five fumble recoveries.
TAKEO SPIKES
15-year vet Bengals drafted in first round of 1998 NFL Draft, Registered 14.5 sacks, 571 tackles, 79 tackles for loss and five interceptions during five seasons Cincinnati.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce 25 semifinalists from this list in November, and then 15 finalists will be revealed in January for the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee to consider for enshrinement. Anderson made the list of 25 for the first time last year.
The 2022 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will be held next August in Canton, Ohio.
