Darren Woodson is, once again, on Canton’s doorstep.
The 12-year Cowboys safety was named Wednesday as one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. It’s Woodson’s second straight year making it to the finalist stage after eight times as a semifinalist.
The franchise’s all-time leader in tackles joins a stocked roster of finalists that includes Reggie Wayne, Devin Hester, Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers, and Fred Taylor.
The pool of nominees started with 173 names in September and was trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November.
The 15 modern-era finalists for the @ProFootballHOF Class of 2024! pic.twitter.com/YENGxDf74q
— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2023
It’s a talented class, to be sure, but it’s hard to imagine any of this year’s finalists having a more loaded résumé or being more deserving of finally getting a gold jacket than Woodson.
Five-time Pro Bowler. Four-time first-team All-Pro. Three-time Super Bowl champion. Cowboys Ring of Honor member since 2015.
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“Anytime you’re in a situation where you’re up for an award and you don’t win it… I’d be a fool and lying to you if I said I wasn’t disappointed,” Woodson, now 54, said after being passed over for inclusion in the Class of 2023.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not broken by it… I feel like, at some point, it’s going to happen.”
That point may be almost here. Woodson is once again on the doorstep.
The only thing left is a knock.
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