Washington legend Joe Jacoby named 2023 Hall of Fame semifinalist

Since the Pro Football Hall of Fame first opened in 1963, the Washington Football franchise has had 32 former players, coaches and executives inducted for enshrinement. The headliners of the group include Joe Gibbs, Darrell Green, Bobby Mitchell, Charley Taylor and Art Monk, among others.

Champ Bailey was the organization’s latest player to be inducted in 2019. While a star in Washington, he’s recognized more for his time with the Broncos. Before Bailey, ex-general manager Bobby Beathard was the most recent Washington legend to get inducted into Canton four years ago in 2018.

Beathard’s legacy goes without saying. During Washington’s 1982 run to the Super Bowl, the roster included 27 free agents signed by Beathard since he joined the team in 1978. Over his 11-year run in the nation’s capital, the team had just three first-round picks but made three Super Bowls and won two of them.

On Thursday, Washington moved one step closer to adding a 33rd player into Canton’s hallowed halls when the 54 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 23 were revealed.

The star-studded group includes former head coach Mike Shanahan, who, like Bailey, is remembered more for his Broncos accomplishments, and former legendary offensive lineman Joe Jacboy, who’s been here before.

Washington legend Joe Jacoby more than deserves a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jacoby’s modern eligibility for the ballot was exhausted in 2018, but he’s back on the ballot as one of 25 senior semifinalists. The legendary lineman came up short in last year’s voting process and the NFL better not make the same mistake again.

Jacoby is one of the original members of “The Hogs” offensive line that is widely regarded as one of the best offensive lines in league history. The now-63-year-old was an influential piece on three Super Bowl-winning Redskins teams, made four straight Pro Bowls and featured on the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team.

During Jacoby’s 13 seasons, Washington won five division titles and compiled a whopping 10 winning records. Additionally, the team produced seven 1,000-yard rushers and seven 3,000-yard passers across that span. That isn’t a coincidence, as Jacoby suited up at left tackle for three conference title games on one Super Bowl.

The former two-time All-Pro is not only one of the most decorated players in Washington’s history, but one of the most decorated OL in NFL history. He belongs in the team’s Ring of Fame and was named one of the organization’s 80 greatest players. We could continue, but you probably get the point.

The 25 Senior semifinalists will be narrowed down to 12 candidates on July 27 before the Seniors committee selects up to three candidates for the Class of 2023 on Aug. 16. We seriously hope Jacoby doesn’t get snubbed again.