Jaguars' Legend Snubbed By Hall of Fame

One Jacksonville Jaguars legend has been shut out by the Pro Football Hall of Fame once again.

Aug 4, 2022; Canton, Ohio, USA; The Pro Football Hall of Fame logo at midfield at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars legend Fred Taylor has been snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame once again.

The Hall of Fame announced 15 Modern-Era finalists for the next class, and Taylor was kept out of the group after the Jaguars' all-time great was a finalist the year before.

Taylor, who has been flirting with Hall of Fame candidacy for years, will have to wait for another crack at it moving forward. Frank Gore was the only running back to be named a modern-era finalist this year, and he is joined in the group by Willie Anderson, Drew Brees, Jahri Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne , Kevin Williams, Jason Witten, Darren Woodson, and Marshal Yanda.

Taylor recorded 13,632 total yards and 70 touchdowns in his career, with the vast majority of those coming with Jacksonville. He is the all-time leading rusher in franchise history with 11,271 yards, more than 3,000 more than the back behind him. He ranks No. 17 in rushing yards all-time.

Aug 23, 2008; Tampa, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) warms up before the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images | Kim Klement-Imagn Images

When it comes to his production during his career, which spanned from 1998 to 2010, Taylor marked most of the boxes. He ran for at least 1,000 yards in seven of his 13 seasons and scored 32 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons alone.

We asked Jaguars running back Travis Etienne in November about his relationship with Taylor -- who is still close with the franchise and has always reached out to their new generation of running backs who are following in his footstep. As expected, Etienne sung Taylor's praises.

97 Jason Fisk, DT (How many Titans have worn the number: 6) Here, Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Fisk (97) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor in their 33-14 victory in the AFC Championship game Jan. 23, 2000 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville. Nfl Playoffs Jacksonville Jaguars Vs Tennessee Titans | Delinda Karnehm / Florida Today via Imagn Content Services, LLC

"I mean, my relationship with him is great. I mean, he's very supportive, and especially when you have somebody who should already be in the Hall of Fame just out there supporting you and helping you with your game. It don't get no better than that. And I feel like he's very, very important to this organization," Etienne said.

"I mean, I feel like his game it just goes unnoticed, like what he really did. I feel like you watch his film, so he was a big back, but he was able to catch the ball. He was elusive, he was a power back. He was just a great talent. And I feel like he should have been in the Hall of Fame."

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) breaks out on a 90-yard touchdown run with Miami safety Brock Marion (31) in hot pursuit during the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at Alltel Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union Spt 1fredtaylor01150 | Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Time will tell if Taylor will make it to next year's finalist group, but he certainly had a career deserving of the distinction.

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