Making the Case for Adrian Wilson’s Hall of Fame Induction

Three former NC State players were among the 102 Modern-Era Nominees for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class released Friday.

Wide Receiver Torry Holt
Safety Adrian Wilson
Head Coach Bill Cowher

In this piece, I will make the case that former NC State Safety Adrian Wilson deserves to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is the first year that Wilson was eligible to be nominated (has to be 5 years after retirement).

(Technically the last season Wilson played was 2012, but he missed the 2013 season on the Injured Reserve with the Patriots, and was signed by the Bears in 2014, but was cut before the beginning of the season.)

I already made the case that former NC State All-American Wide Receiver Torry Holt should finally be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Adrian Wilson finished his NFL career (12 seasons) with 886 tackles, 27 interceptions, 25.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries and 4 defensive touchdowns.

If you look at the 12 years he played in the NFL, and dissect the stats of all of the Strong Safeties that played during that time, you could make a strong case for Wilson being one of the best, if not the best, to play the position while he was suiting up.

During those 12 seasons (all with the Arizona Cardinals), he ranked 1st among Strong Safeties in tackles and interceptions, 2nd in interceptions, 2nd in defensive touchdowns, 4th in forced fumbles, and 5th in fumble recoveries.

Accolades

Pro Bowl 5x (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)

1st Team All-Pro in 2009 & 2nd Team All-Pro in 2006 & 2008

Super Bowl

Wilson helped lead the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII, where they lost to the Steelers 24-27. The 2008 Super Bowl appearance is the only one in the history of the Cardinals history while being in Arizona.

25/25 Club Member

Wilson is one of only 6 players in NFL history, regardless of position, to finish their NFL Career with 25 sacks and 25 interceptions

Ray Lewis – 31 interceptions and 41.5 sacks
Ronde Barber – 47 interceptions and 28 sacks
Rodney Harrison – 34 interceptions and 30.5 sacks
William Thomas – 27 interceptions and 37 sacks
Brian Dawkins – 37 interceptions and 26 sacks
Adrian Wilson – 27 interceptions and 25.5 sacks

When it comes to NFL history, that is an elite club to be a part of.

Conclusion

Wilson won’t be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. This is Holt’s 5th year being nominated, and he has been a semi-finalist each of the 4 times prior. It’s not easy for a Safety to make it into the Hall, and if he ever makes it in, it will likely be numerous years before it happens. With that being said, Wilson’s numbers speak for themselves. He was one of the best to play the position during his era.