MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois University Athletics Hall of Famer Mike Wagner can join another Hall of Fame.

Last week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Wagner was one of 182 players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 in the Seniors category. To be considered in this group, each former player last could have appeared in a professional football game in the 1999 season.

Wagner played for the Leathernecks from 1968 to 1970. As a Leatherneck defensive back, Wagner was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American selection in 1969.

After being selected by Pittsburgh in the 1971 NFL Draft, he played 11 years with the Steelers. As a starting safety, Wagner played on all four Steelers Super Bowl championship teams. He was a two-time Pro Bowler (1975-76)

Wagner was inducted into the Leatherneck Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976. He remains the program record holder in interception return yardage (343) and single-season interceptions (nine) and is second in career interceptions (15).

The roster of 182 nominees consists of 100 offensive players, 77 defensive players, and five special teamers. The Seniors Screening Committee, a new entity created this year to add additional input around the overall selection process, will reduce the list to 50 players (plus ties, if any for the 50th spot) over the next several weeks.

Once the Seniors Screening Committee has completed its work, the separate Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will make additional reductions in several increments. In late fall, the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will select three Seniors as Finalists for possible election with the Class of 2025 presented by Visual Edge IT.

Players must have last played at least 25 full seasons ago to be eligible for nomination in this category. Qualifications include five years of service and at least one recognized postseason honor.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 will be enshrined next August.