Tag: devin hester

NFL Honors: How to watch as Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is announced

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome its 2024 class during the NFL Honors. Here’s how to watch:

Ahead of Super Bowl 58, NFL Honors will recognize those players who have excelled on and off the field. Awards like MVP, Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award will be presented.

NFL Honors is also when the Pro Football Class of 2024 will be announced, where Bears will eagerly be awaiting to see if Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, Steve McMichael and Jared Allen will get the call to join the Hall.

Here’s how to watch or stream the NFL Honors, which will include the introduction of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

NFL Honors

When: Thursday, Feb. 8, 8 p.m. CT

Where: Resorts World Theatre — Las Vegas, NV

TV: CBS, NFL Network

Streaming: fuboTV (try it for free)

Bears finalists for Hall of Fame

  • Steve McMichael, senior finalist (1981-1993)
  • Devin Hester, modern era finalist (2006-2013)
  • Julius Peppers, modern era finalist (2010-2013)
  • Jared Allen, modern era finalist (2014-2015)

Jarrett Bailey’s 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

While all 15 finalists undoubtedly have their respective arguments for earning their induction, these five would get my vote as to who will make up the class of 2024.

The 15 finalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class have been announced. Five of these modern-era candidates will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next August, and we will find out who they are on Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors.”

While all 15 finalists undoubtedly have their respective arguments for earning their induction, these five would get my vote as to who will make up the class of 2024.

First, here are all 15 finalists.

  • Eric Allen, Cornerback – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
  • Jared Allen, Defensive End – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
  • Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
  • Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
  • Dwight Freeney, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions
  • Antonio Gates, Tight End – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
  • Rodney Harrison, Safety – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
  • Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens
  • Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
  • Julius Peppers, Defensive End – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-16 Green Bay Packers
  • Fred Taylor, Running back – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
  • Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
  • Patrick Willis, Linebacker – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
  • Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2024; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election. Four others — Seniors category Finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, along with Coach/Contributor Finalist Buddy Parker — also are candidates for the Class of 2024. Voting on each of those four will be held individually, in conjunction with the meeting to decide which Modern-Era Players are elected.

The Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category were determined by a vote of the Hall’s Selection Committee from a list of 173 nominees named in September that was reduced to 25 Semifinalists on Nov. 28.

Two former Falcons named Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists

Two former Falcons players were listed among the 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame Modern-Era finalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 15 modern-era finalists for its 2024 class on Thursday and two former Atlanta Falcons players are still in the mix.

Wide receiver/return specialist Devin Hester, who played for the team from 2014-2015, and defensive end Dwight Freeney (2016 team) are among the 15 candidates with a chance to be inducted in 2024.

When can fans find out whether or not Hester and Freeney are in? According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, the inductees will be unveiled on February 8:

The Class of 2024 will be unveiled publicly Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” broadcast from Las Vegas on CBS Television Network and NFL Network and streamed on Paramount+ and NFL+. The show airs at 9 p.m. ET.

Other notable finalists include Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne. See the full list below, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Twitter account.

Antonio Gates named Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist

The eight-time Pro Bowler was among 15 finalists for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chargers great Antonio Gates was among 15 modern-era finalists named on Wednesday for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gates never played college football despite initially enrolling at Michigan State with the hopes of playing basketball and football. He transferred to two schools before ending up at Kent State.

This is where he helped the Golden Flashes reach the Elite Eight of the 2002 NCAA tournament. He switched to football after graduation, signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

Little did many know when Gates entered the league that he would go on to be one of the best to play the sport and revolutionize the tight end position.

Gates finished his 16-year career, all with the Bolts, with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. His 116 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history.

Gates was a five-time All-Pro selection and made eight Pro Bowl teams.

Gates was recently inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.

Here are the 15 modern-era finalists:

  •     Eric Allen, cornerback
  •     Jared Allen, defensive end
  •     Willie Anderson, offensive tackle
  •     Jahri Evans, guard
  •     Dwight Freeney, defensive end
  •     Antonio Gates, tight end
  •     Rodney Harrison, safety
  •     Devin Hester, punt returner/kick returner/wide receiver
  •     Torry Holt, wide receiver
  •     Andre Johnson, wide receiver
  •     Julius Peppers, defensive end
  •     Fred Taylor, running back
  •     Reggie Wayne, wide receiver
  •     Patrick Willis, linebacker
  •     Darren Woodson, safety

The Class of 2024 will be unveiled before Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, NV. The class will be announced live on the “NFL Honors” telecast on February 8. They will then be enshrined in August in Canton, OH.

Former Bears Devin Hester, Julius Peppers named finalists for Hall of Fame 2024

Former Bears Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Jared Allen were named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Three former Chicago Bears are one step closer to football immortality. Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Jared Allen were named three of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 on Wednesday evening.

Hester has been named a finalist for the third time in as many years since he became eligible for the Hall of Fame. The legendary Bears return specialist changed the game when he was drafted in 2006, setting various records for both kickoff and punt returns throughout his career. The former All-Pro holds records for most career return touchdowns (20), most career punt return touchdowns (14), and most return touchdowns in a single season (6). He also made both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams. Hester played for the Bears from 2006 to 2013.

Peppers, meanwhile, spent the majority of his career with the Carolina Panthers but was a Bear for four seasons from 2010 to 2013. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010 and made three Pro Bowls while with the Bears, helping lead them to the 2010 NFC Championship game. Peppers has the fifth-most sacks in NFL history with 159.5, 37.5 of which came with the Bears. He is in his first year of eligibility.

Finally, Allen spent a year and a half in Chicago from 2014–2015, at the end of his career. He was a perennial Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of his career, totaling 136 sacks, and is in his fifth year of eligibility.

The rest of the finalists include Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Erin Allen, and Willie Anderson. Former Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael was also named a senior committee finalist earlier this year and is all-but guaranteed to get enshrined in Canton as well.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be announced in February, prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

Finally, Allen spent a year and a half in Chicago from 2014-2015 at the end of his career. He was a perennial Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of his career, totaling 136 sacks, and is in his fifth year of eligibility.

The rest of the finalists include Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Erin Allen, and Willie Anderson. Former Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael was also named a senior committee finalist earlier this year, and is all-but guaranteed to get enshrined in Canton as well.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be announced in February prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

Two former Falcons make modern-era Hall of Fame semifinal

Two former Falcons named among 25 modern-era Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Two former Falcons players were among the 25 modern-era Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists named on Tuesday morning. Wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester and defensive end Dwight Freeney both have a chance to make the Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

“The 25 semifinalists will be reduced again – to 15 Finalists – before the final voting process for the Class of 2024,” NFL.com explains.

Other notable modern-era semifinalists include Julius Peppers, Antonio Gates, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Patrick Willis.

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5 things to know ahead of Bears vs. Broncos in Week 4

The Bears and Broncos will be competing to get their first win of the season. Here are five things to know in Week 4.

The Chicago Bears completed a three-week gauntlet of games barely alive at 0-3, but the team finally has a decent chance of getting a win in a Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos.

Only the Denver and Chicago faithful will be turned into what definitively is the worst game of the early slate, while most of the NFL will be enjoying the play of good teams, like Miami and Buffalo.

Alas, it’s our fate to be eternally linked to such a dysfunctional football team, so we’ll give you everything you need to know about the game. To kick off our weekly breakdown, here are some key things to know ahead of Sunday’s Bears-Broncos matchup.

2023 NFL Draft: Devin Hester to announce one of the Bears Day 2 picks

Bears legendary return specialist Devin Hester will announce one of the team’s second-round picks on Friday evening.

A Chicago Bears legend will introduce one of the team’s newest draft selections on Friday night. Former All-Pro return specialist Devin Hester is set to take the stage in Kansas City to announce one of the Bears’ second-round picks.

Over the last decade or so, the NFL has brought former and active players from each organization to the draft to make selections on Day 2. The Bears have had players such as Matt Forte, Dick Butkus, Rashied Davis, and Olin Kreutz in recent years as representatives. Now it’s Hester’s turn as he hopefully introduces another star second-round selection, just like he turned out to be back in the mid-2000s.

The Bears selected Hester out of the University of Miami with the No. 57 pick in 2006. He immediately became a star, setting the NFL world on fire with his electric returns his rookie season, culminating in one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history when he ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI against the Indianapolis Colts.

Hester finished his  NFL career with multiple NFL records, including the most career return touchdowns of all time and has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame each of the last two years. He’s considered the greatest return specialist in NFL history.

Hester will surely receive a warm reception from the Bears fans in attendance when he gets ready to announce the pick. The question is, will the NFL let him walk out to his signature song “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy when he enters the stage? We won’t have to wait too long to find out.

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Super Bowl points scored by each college all time

Congrats to Alabama and Missouri who after SB 57, have finally scored on Super Bowl Sunday!

Over the Super Bowl’s first 56 editions there have been a total of 2,593 points scored.

Some of those points were scored by superstars; some were scored by incredibly unlikely heroes.

For every Tom Brady or Emmitt Smith there seems to be a Max McGee or Dwight Smith who had a huge moment or score to redirect the final outcome of a Super Bowl.

Have you ever wondered where all the Super Bowl heroes played their college football?

Super Bowl LVII had two new college programs finally get on the scoreboard. Jalen Hurts scoring three touchdowns and a two-point conversion were the first 20 points ever scored in Super Bowl play by a former Alabama player. The same goes for Missouri, which finally got on the Super Bowl scoreboard after Nick Bolton’s touchdown.

Two players also officially scored in the big game but didn’t play college ball.

So where did they all go?

Remember, touchdown passes don’t count in the record books as a touchdown scored for a quarterback – please don’t kill the messenger!

Devin Hester’s Hall of Fame snub proves voters don’t appreciate what makes the NFL great

Hester is the greatest returner ever! Why does he have to wait?

For the second straight year, despite being nominated in his first year of eligibility, former Chicago Bears’ great Devin Hester has been left out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

From a glance, it’s understandable why Hester still has to wait before getting enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Players like him — almost entirely exclusive kick/punt returners — typically don’t walk into the Hall. Voters tend to veer towards non-specialists in guys who participated in more than a handful of plays a game.

(Deep breath)

But there is arguably no one in NFL history who has ever maximized their handful of plays better than Devin Hester. I’d go as far as to say that he went above and beyond by striking fear into the hearts of special teams coordinators and kickers for over a decade.

Think about how hard it is to score on a punt or kick return. How often do you actually see someone take it to the house on a play that maybe happens a dozen times in a single game… at most?

Well, Hester recorded 14 punt return touchdowns. Fourteen! Eric Metcalf is the only other player in NFL history with double-digit punt return TDs (10). Throw in Hester’s five kick return scores, and his 19 combined kick/punt return scores are the most in league history. Hester truly made one of the most challenging plays to score on an art form.

Lest I forget, Hester is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time team, a member of both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade teams, and is a three-time First-Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

He also did this to open a Super Bowl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HN_d09Ivd8

Ho-hum, I guess!

There is no more chaotic or fun play than a kick or punt return, and Hester made it a show every time he touched the ball. We’ve never seen someone like him, and we might never see someone like him again.

If that’s not Hall-worthy, I don’t know what is.

When you get the chance, you should check out Jack Silverstein’s Hall of Fame case for Hester based on voting, over with SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron.