Holmgren, Knox, Alexander among Seahawks nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Sep 17, 2014, 3:35 PM | Updated: 4:11 pm

Former coaches Mike Holmgren and Chuck Knox, along with running back Shaun Alexander top a list of seven former Seahawks players and coaches nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015.

The group also includes running back Ricky Watters, former coach Tom Flores, center Kevin Mawae and defensive back Shaun Springs.

Holmgren coached the Seahawks from 1999 through 2008, leading them to their first Super Bowl berth in 2005. His teams won four consecutive NFC West titles, going 86-74 in the regular-season and 4-6 in the postseason. Prior to coming to Seattle, he led the Green Bay Packers to two Super Bowl appearances, including a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. He finished his career as President of the Cleveland Browns after leaving Seattle.

Alexander was a key to the Seahawks 2005 Super Bowl run. The explosive running back won the NFL MVP award, leading the league with 27 rushing touchdowns and 1,880 yards on the ground. He was a three-time Pro Bowler during his eight-year Seattle career.

Knox led the Seahawks to the playoffs four times during his nine-year tenure in Seattle, winning the NFC West in 1988 during a 22-year career that included stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.

Flores came to the Seahawks after leading the Oakland Raiders to two Super Bowl titles. His tenure in Seattle was less successful, posting a 14-34 record during a three-year run from 1992 to 1994.

Watters ended a standout career with the Seahawks, rushing for 4,009 yards and notching another 1,480 receiving yards during four seasons. He’s one of only two NFL running backs to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season for three different teams.

Mawae was an eight-time Pro-Bowler who also played with the Jets and Titans after being picked by the Seahawks in the second round of the 1994 draft.

Springs was the third-overall pick in the 1997 draft, earning a spot in the Pro Bowl in his second season after recording 76 tackles, seven interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. He left Seattle after four seasons for stints with the Redskins and Patriots that saw him post 22 career interceptions.

Ninety-nine players and 14 coaches in all were nominated Tuesday for preliminary Hall of Fame voting. The group will be cut to 25 semifinalists in November, before a subsequent cut-down pares the list to 15. Up to five total nominees will be selected in a vote the day before Super Bowl XLIX.

Fans can vote for their favorite 25 players from the list at NFL.com.

Local News

retail theft...
L.B. Gilbert

Retail theft sting operation leads to 23 arrests in Gig Harbor

A two-day retail theft sting operation in Gig Harbor ended with 23 people in handcuffs last week after plain clothes detectives went on an emphasis patrol.
11 hours ago
(Photo from KIRO 7)...
KIRO 7 News Staff

Cyclist makes, posts ‘do not block’ bike lane signs on Capitol Hill

A Seattle bike commuter fed up with people parking in bike lanes on Capitol Hill took matters into his own hands.
11 hours ago
i-5...
L.B. Gilbert

Seattle Police find dead body by northbound I-5 off-ramp, delays traffic

A Seattle Police Department investigation is blocking the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to State Route 522, closing the street.
11 hours ago
derailment...
L.B. Gilbert

Judge: BNSF railroad violated Swinomish tribe agreement after derailment

Cleanup crews at the site of a train derailment in Anacortes report that some of the diesel that leaked has contaminated the groundwater.
11 hours ago
Cash business...
Nicole Jennings

King County Councilmember wants to require businesses to accept cash

Many businesses have switched to taking cards only, but a King County Council measure would require some businesses to accept cash payments.
11 hours ago
cruisers...
Sam Campbell

Crash in Georgetown involving SPD cruisers during stolen car recovery

Seattle Police are investigating a collision involving two patrol vehicles in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle.
11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Emergency Preparedness...

Prepare for the next disaster at the Emergency Preparedness Conference

Being prepared before the next emergency arrives is key to preserving businesses and organizations of many kinds.
SHIBA volunteer...

Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options!

If you’re retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you!
safety from crime...

As crime increases, our safety measures must too

It's easy to be accused of fearmongering regarding crime, but Seattle residents might have good reason to be concerned for their safety.
Comcast Ready for Business Fund...
Ilona Lohrey | President and CEO, GSBA

GSBA is closing the disparity gap with Ready for Business Fund

GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund.
SHIBA WA...

Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help!

The SHIBA program – part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner – is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions.
Lake Washington Windows...

Choosing Best Windows for Your Home

Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation.
Holmgren, Knox, Alexander among Seahawks nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame