INDIANAPOLIS – The perspectives differ for Reggie Wayne and Adam Vinatieri, but not the appreciation. The two Indianapolis Colts’ icons – Vinatieri’s decorated career took firm root in New England – are among the 15 Modern-era Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. The magnitude of the honor isn’t lost on either, even though it’s seen through a different lens. Wayne, one of the NFL’s most productive wide receivers, has reached the Final 15 for a sixth consecutive year. Vinatieri, arguably the greatest clutch kicker in league history and the NFL’s career scoring leader, has reached this stage of the Hall of Fame’s process in his first year of eligibility. His inclusion is no surprise. “I would not say, ‘Oh, of course,’’’ Vinatieri said, who turned 51 on Saturday. “I mean, the group of men that came before me that are in the Hall of Fame, I look at them with a certain amount of awe. “I just look at all the guys that get nominated and don’t get in, that get bypassed until the next year or the next year or the next year in awe. To even be in the initial nomination is awesome. And every time they make a cutdown, you see guys that don’t make the next round of cuts and you’re like, ‘Damn, those are dudes.’ “I’m just honored to be even talked about at this point.’’ Wayne’s reaction was somewhat tempered. Clearly, he’s been here before. “You’re still appreciative because if a time ever comes that you don’t make it, that’s going to be anger,’’ Wayne said. “You still appreciate it because there are guys that a lot of people consider worthy that don’t even get that door open for them.’’ He admitted he’s grown “numb’’ to reaching the Final 15 only to fall short of the receiving the necessary support to be enshrined. “I don’t even post (on social media) anymore,’’ Wayne said. “Everybody’s texting me: ‘Hey, congratulations.’ I’ll be like, ‘That’s No. 6.’ “It doesn’t faze me anymore. I’ve become numb to it.’’ Colts coach Shane Steichen always approaches Wayne when his receivers coach advances through the Hall of Fame selection process. “It’s a short conversation,’’ Wayne said. “Shane brings it up. ‘Hey, semifinalist.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah.’ “There’s nothing to talk about because you’ve been here six times.’’ The 15 Modern-era Finalists will be discussed when the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee – I am one of 50 voters – holds its annual meeting in mid-January. A maximum of five modern-era individuals will be included in the Class of 2025 and announced Feb. 6 during the “NFL Honors’’ show in New Orleans, site of Super Bowl LIX. Robert Mathis, the Colts’ career sack leader, was one of 25 Semifinalists but failed to advance. The 15 Finalists includes four first-year eligible players and nine Finalists from last year. A look (x-denotes the first year of eligibility; y-denotes returning finalist). *Wayne-y *Vinatieri-x *CB Eric Allen-y *DE Jared Allen-y *OT Willie Anderson-y *G Jahri Evans-y *TE Antonio Gates-y *WR Torry Holt-y *LB Luke Kuechly-x *Eli Manning-x *WR Steve Smith Sr. *LB/DE Terrell Suggs-x *RB Fred Taylor-y *S Darren Woodson-y *G Marshal Yanda-x Despite what has been five years of frustration and disappointment, Wayne still considers himself worthy of a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio. “Yeah, you still believe that,’’ he said. “I don’t think that part will ever go away, whether you’re in (the Hall of Fame) or not. “If you feel like you deserve to get in there, you deserve to get in there. You’ve gotta be your biggest cheerleader. It just feels like every year the goalposts move.’’ The productivity, consistency and longevity are undeniable. Only two players in NFL history rank in the top 10 in receptions and receiving yards in the regular season and postseason: Wayne and Jerry Rice. Along with ranking No. 10 all-time in catches (1,070) and yards (14,345) in 14 years and 211 regular-season games, Wayne’s 93 postseason receptions rank No. 6 and his 1,254 yards are No. 7. Wayne is the Colts’ all-time leader in games played (211), a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro in 2010. He had at least 100 receptions four times and at least 1,000 yards in eight seasons. He was instrumental in the team reaching two Super Bowls and bringing the franchise its first world championship in three decades with a 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. Wayne contributed two catches for 61 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. Vinatieri authored a two-phase career: Ten decorated seasons with the New England Patriots, then 14 more with the Colts after they signed him to a free-agent contract in the 2006 offseason. He was part of three Super Bowl championships with New England – he delivered two Lombardi trophies to the Patriots with last-second field goals against the St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers – then added a fourth with the Colts (Super Bowl XLI). He’s the NFL’s all-time scoring leader in the regular season (2,673 points) and postseason (238) and holds the most significant kicking marks in both. Vinatieri holds the league record for most consecutive made field goals – 44 – and did so spanning the 2015-16 seasons at age 45. Vinatieri is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team. Two of his most pressurized and treasured kicks came during New England’s 2001 AFC Divisional meeting with the Oakland Raiders. In blizzard-like conditions in Foxboro, Vinatieri drilled a 48-yard field goal through the wind and snow with 27 seconds remaining to force overtime. His 23-yarder in OT gave the Patriots a 16-13 win in the so-called “Tuck Game’’. That led to a Super Bowl XXXVI collision with St. Louis, and Vinatieri presented the Patriots with a 20-17 win by knocking down a 48-yard field goal as time expired. His 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds remaining handed New England a 32-29 win over Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII. “I would say I had a nice career and did a lot of really good stuff. Playing as long as I did, you start stacking up some records and things like that. “But I definitely do not take it for granted.’’ You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.