Bengals Greats Snubbed from Hall of Fame Again

OBI podcast discusses the continued exclusion of Ken and Willie Anderson from the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:39pm

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Two former Cincinnati Bengals players, Ken and Willie Anderson, were once again not selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the 2026 NFL Honors show. The OBI podcast hosts discuss this ongoing snub and the lack of progress in getting these Bengals greats into Canton, as well as other headlines around the team ahead of the Super Bowl.

Why it matters

The exclusion of Ken and Willie Anderson from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is seen as a continued slight against the Cincinnati Bengals franchise, which has struggled to get its all-time great players recognized at the highest level of the sport. Fans are frustrated that these two dominant players from the Bengals' history have not been enshrined despite their on-field accomplishments.

The details

Ken Anderson and Willie Anderson were both standout players for the Cincinnati Bengals during their NFL careers. Ken Anderson was the Bengals' starting quarterback for over a decade, leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance, while Willie Anderson was a dominant offensive tackle who made the Pro Bowl four times. Despite their individual accolades and impact on the Bengals, both players have been repeatedly passed over for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, much to the dismay of the team's fanbase.

  • The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees were announced during NFL Honors on February 7, 2026, ahead of Super Bowl LX.
  • The OBI podcast discussing the Bengals Hall of Fame snubs will air live on Friday, February 8, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

The players

Ken Anderson

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who led the team to a Super Bowl appearance and is considered one of the franchise's all-time greats, but has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Willie Anderson

Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle who made 4 Pro Bowls during his career and is also considered one of the best players in Bengals history, but has not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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What they’re saying

“It seems like baby steps continue to be made to inch them closer into Canton, but it hasn't been enough.”

— John, OBI Podcast Host

“The exclusion of Ken and Willie Anderson from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is seen as a continued slight against the Cincinnati Bengals franchise, which has struggled to get its all-time great players recognized at the highest level of the sport.”

— Anthony, OBI Podcast Host

What’s next

The OBI podcast hosts will continue to advocate for Ken Anderson and Willie Anderson's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and will likely revisit this topic on future episodes leading up to the next round of Hall of Fame voting.

The takeaway

The continued snubbing of Bengals legends Ken Anderson and Willie Anderson from the Pro Football Hall of Fame highlights the ongoing struggle for the Cincinnati franchise to get its all-time great players recognized at the highest level. Fans remain frustrated that these two dominant players from the team's history have not been enshrined despite their individual accomplishments and impact on the Bengals.