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NATCHEZ — Natchez football legend the late Joe Fortunato is among a list of 182 former professional football players who are being considered as senior player nominees for the Class of 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Fortunato, a native of Mingo Junction, Ohio, played college ball at Mississippi State from 1950 through 1952, where he was a first-team All-American and a first-team All-SEC player. He spent his entire 12-year professional career as a standout linebacker for the Chicago Bears.

According to a press release on the Chicago Bears website, Fortunato was selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 1952 draft (80th overall) out of Mississippi State. There, he played fullback and linebacker and was voted an All-American in 1951. However, due to a military commitment, he did not join the Bears until 1955.

Fortunato played in 155 career games, recording 16 interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries.

After retiring as a player, Fortunato spent two seasons as a Bears assistant, working as linebackers coach in George Halas’ final year as head coach in 1967 and then as defensive coordinator on Jim Dooley’s staff in 1968.

As a businessman in Natchez, Fortunato and Noland Biglane were partners at Big Joe Oil Co.

In a press release, the Pro Football Hall of Fame said to be considered for a senior player nominee, the player must have last played football at least 25 full seasons ago to be eligible for a nomination. Qualifications include at least five years of service and at least one recognized postseason honor.

The Class of 2025 nominees include 100 offensive players, 77 defensive players, and five special teams players.

The Seniors Screening Committee, a new entity created by the Hall of Fame this year to add additional input around the overall selection process, will reduce the list of 182 to 50 players over the next several weeks, Hall of Fame officials said in the press release.

A separate Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will make additional cuts to the list of nominees in several increments. In the late fall, the committee will select three Seniors as finalists for possible election with the Class of 2025.

In addition to Fortunato, quarterbacks Don Meredith, Jack Kemp, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms, Joe Theismann, and Doug Williams are being considered; running backs Willie Galimore and Herschel Walker; wide receivers and tight ends Billy “White Shoes” Johnson and Sterling Sharpe; offensive linemen Al “Bubba” Baker, Ray Childress, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones; and linebackers Pat Swilling, Vaughn Johnson, and Phil Villapiano.