Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Adam Vinatieri among 2025 first-year eligible Hall of Fame candidates

Adam Vinatieri is Hall of Fame eligible in 2025.

The Indianapolis Colts will have a former player enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2024, and several prominent names will headline the Class of 2025.

While former defensive end Dwight Freeney will receive his gold jacket in August during the ceremony in Canton, there are a few notable names on the ballot for the Class of 2025, including a first-year eligible player who has a strong shot to get in at some point.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne (five-time finalist) and defensive end Robert Mathis (three-time semifinalist) will be looking to further their campaign to get into Canton.

Meanwhile, kicker Adam Vinatieri is among the headlining names on the ballot for the first time in 2025.

Whether Vinatieri is a first-ballot Hall of Famer is up for debate, and it will be a massive topic of discussion when the time comes. His credentials, though, will eventually earn him a gold jacket.

A 24-year veteran, Vinatieri was one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. His 599 field goals made and 715 field goals attempted are the most in NFL history. He also ranks second in extra points made (874) and extra points attempted (898), trailing only Hall of Famer George Blanda.

Vinatieri also holds the NFL record for most points scored in a career during the regular season (2,673) and the playoffs (238). He also holds the record for most career field goals made (56) and field goals attempted (59) in the playoffs.

A split career between the New England Patriots (1996-2005) and the Colts (2006-2019), Vinatieri was a three-time All-Pro First-Team and Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2014).

It will be interesting to see how close Vinatieri gets in his first year on the ballot, but he certainly will get in eventually.

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Watch: Bryant Young welcomes Patrick Willis to Hall of Fame

Tears will be shed when you see this.

One of the coolest parts about the Pro Football Hall of Fame is how new inductees are informed of their honor. There are a few methods in which to do so, but the one that has grabbed most people’s attention in recent years is the knock on the door behind which the new Hall of Famer is. It used to be the door of a hotel room, but it now is the door of the new inductee’s home.

Former Notre Dame defensive tackle [autotag]Bryant Young[/autotag], a 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, recently was given the privilege of knocking on the door of Patrick Willis, a rookie during Young’s final season with the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s the big moment, and you might want to grab some tissues before you watch:

Those are the tears of a man whose years of hard work and sacrifice have paid off. Sure, a Super Bowl win is nice, but only 378 individuals are permanent residents of Canton, Ohio. When you earn that honor, nothing feels better other than getting married and becoming a parent.

Congratulations to Patrick and all the other members of the Class of 2024.

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Former Ohio State linebacker finally elected to NFL Hall of Fame

In case you missed it, an honor long overdue. #GoBucks

Former Ohio State linebacker, Randy Gradishar, has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gradishar played his ten-year career with the Denver Broncos and was a key piece of the “Orange Crush” defense that carried the Broncos to Super Bowl XII while being named the 1978 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

An Ohio native, Gradishar played for Ohio State from 1971 to 1973 under Woody Hayes, who at one time called him the “greatest linebacker I’ve ever coached.” Gradishar was named an All-American twice and finished sixth in the Heisman voting in 1973 while playing for the Buckeyes. He was already a member of the Ohio State and College Football Hall of Fame and now he can add NFL Hall of Famer.

Gradishar was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 1974 NFL draft by the Broncos.  He was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times and was an All-Pro five times.

Gradishar will become the 11th former Buckeye to be enshrined in Canton joining, Cris Carter, Sid Gillman, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, Dick LeBeau, Orlando Pace, Jim Parker, Ed Sabol, Paul Warfield, and Bill Willis.

The honor is well deserved and long overdue. Gradishar is the Bronco’s all-time leading tackler with 2,049 tackles. He also amassed 20 interceptions, 19.5 sacks, 13 fumble recovers, and four defensive touchdowns.

The Hall of Fame induction will take place on August 3 in Canton, Ohio.

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Bears made history with the 2024 Hall of Fame class

The Chicago Bears had three of their players make the Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

The Chicago Bears haven’t done a lot of winning over their history, but they have produced plenty of legends in the game. That was put on display on Thursday night when the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced, and three Bears were selected — Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, and Julius Peppers.

This was a great announcement for Bears fans. We all remember how good a guy like Peppers was during his four seasons with the team. He spent some time with other teams (Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers), but some of his best seasons came while wearing the navy and orange.

McMichael played 13 of his 15 seasons (1981-1993) with Chicago. That means he was on the legendary 1985 team that won the Super Bowl. He was diagnosed with ALS in Jan. 2021, and his health has deteriorated over the past few years. But his push for the Hall of Fame kept him fighting.

Hester is the greatest kick returner in the history of the NFL. He was a mediocre wide receiver but an exceptional return man. He changed the way that position is viewed forever. Even when he didn’t find the endzone, the offense found itself in good field position.

This Hall of Fame class was historical. It was the first time that three players, who spent at least four seasons with the same team, were inducted into the Hall of Fame from the same class since 2000 (San Francisco 49ers).

This is very cool for Bears fans. Seeing their players make it to the Hall of Fame is always special. Being alive to see one of these all-time great Bears representations is extra special. All of these guys were memorable in their way and deserve this recognition.

As a class like this comes out with all of this Bears representation, you can’t help but hope that more greatness is on the way soon. Chicago is trying to build a winner and it would be nice to see them produce a few Hall of Fame-type talents in the not-so-distant future. It would be nice to see all of the festivities that come from this announcement motivate the modern-day Bears to become great, as well.

Willie Anderson issues statement after latest Hall of Fame snub

Willie Anderson with a message for Bengals fans.

Cincinnati Bengals great Willie Anderson seems closer to the Hall of Fame than ever, even after falling short of the 2024 class.

Anderson, addressing the near-miss on social media, asked fans not to go on a massive campaign as a reaction to the latest class: “Bengals fans and my supporters. I ask you a favor. Please let’s not start this Twitter campaign about me being Snubbed. Only 5 men can go . Every last man who got in into tonight deserves it. Please let’s not harass anyone and endless tweeting I was snubbed.”

A finalist for the third straight year, Anderson said in an interview after the unveiling of the class that he doesn’t get too up or down about the process now.

“I kind of told myself after the first year, when I saw that 330 phone call, I don’t want to get too up or too down,” Anderson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “They called me this year and told me I didn’t make it and I kind of had the same feeling. You can say you get used to it, but you’re always wondering how it’s going to be. It dwindles down to 25 to 15 and we sit and wait.

Barring a stunner, the Bengals Ring of Honor member, first-team All-Pro three times with four Pro Bowls will be in the mix again this time next year.

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6 Panthers greats who could follow Julius Peppers into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Now that Julius Peppers has officially been named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which fellow franchise greats could be next?

On Thursday night, Carolina Panthers legend Julius Peppers was granted his rightful and well-deserved access into Canton, Ohio—as he was named as one of the seven members for this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

So, who’s next?

With a little help from Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame Monitor, here are six fellow franchise greats who could join Pep in football immortality:

Senior finalist Art Powell kept out of Hall of Fame class of 2024

Raiders legend Art Powell becomes first Senior finalist in 12 years not to be voted in

Being named a Senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a virtual lock for induction in recent years. In fact, every Senior finalist since 2010 had gotten a bronze bust. So wouldn’t you know it, the first time it happened in more than a decade, it was a Raiders legend who was voted down and kept out.

Art Powell was among three players who were named Senior finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two were Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael.

Gradishar and McMichael made it. Powell did not.

It was bad enough that it took the senior committee in order for Raiders greats Ray Guy, Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch to get into the Hall of Fame, but now they’re finding ways to reject them through this route as well.

It’s been 55 years since Powell, who died in 2015, played his final game. But he still holds some lofty franchise and league records to this day.

He had 81 touchdown catches in 105 games, giving him an average of 0.77 touchdowns per game. That’s second-highest ever behind only Don Hutson (0.85).

Powell led the league in receiving in 1963 (1,304), and his 16 touchdowns that season are still the franchise record. He put up a franchise-record 247 yards in a single game that year. He outdid his receiving yardage the following season. His 1,361 yards are still third in franchise history.

But when it comes to recognition among the game’s greats, Powell got snubbed again. And with former cornerback Eric Allen also not making the cut among modern-era finalists, the Raiders have been shut out from the Hall of Fame class this year.

Bears legend Devin Hester reacts to Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement

Bears legend Devin Hester on being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: “This is a wild dream that I never imagined.”

Devin Hester is the greatest return specialist in NFL history. Now, the Chicago Bears legend stands alone as a primary returner in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Third time was the charm for Hester, who finally had his name called for football immortality. He was one of three Bears named to the Class of 2024, joining Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers.

For Hester, this is a moment years in the making. While many believed Hester should’ve been a first-ballot Hall of Famer, none of that matters now that Hester has finally taken his place among the NFL’s greatest.

“This is a wild dream that I never imagined,” Hester said, via the Sun-Times. “This is bigger than everything. This is not only a dream, but this is something that I felt as a kid was impossible. That was just too much out of the picture. It’s like hitting the lotto.”

The Bears have a rich history that Hester has known since he arrived at Halas Hall as a rookie back in 2006. With Hester and McMichael being named to the Hall of Fame, that makes 32 Hall of Famers — who played primarily with the Bears — the most of any NFL team.

“You start thinking these guys are immortal — they’re the superheroes of the NFL,” Hester said. “You have Pro Bowl players, you have All-Pro players, but then you have the Greek gods, which is the Hall of Famers. To be in that category and to be listed as a Hall of Famer, man, is amazing.”

Hester, a three-time first-team All Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, forever changed the game as a return specialist. He has more punt returns than anyone in NFL history with 14, his 20 total non-offensive touchdowns are also the most in league history, and he has the highest average yards per punt return among those with at least 300 returns in NFL history.

“He changed the game — he changed our games,” Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher told the Sun-Times. “Those are the guys you want in the Hall of Fame. He’s the best to ever do it at his position.”

’85 Bears react to Steve McMichael being named to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Steve McMichael is the seventh member of the 1985 Bears to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael has done his waiting, but he’s finally joining his 1985 Bears teammates in football immortality. McMichael was one of three Bears named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, along with Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.

McMichael becomes the seventh member of the ’85 Bears to be inducted into the Hall of Fame — joining Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Jim Covert and Mike Dikta.

McMichael is the fourth player from the legendary ’85 Bears defense, widely considered to be the greatest ever, to be enshrined.

“For Steve to be in the Hall of Fame, it means that we’re together again in a place that no one can take away from him,” Singletary told the Sun-Times. “In the football world, he’s finally home.”

McMichael has been waiting a long time to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and unfortunately time isn’t on his side. McMichael has been battling ALS for the last couple of years. He revealed his diagnosis in April 2021, and he’s now full paralyzed and lost his voice.

“It’s a victory with an asterisk,” former Bears safety Gary Fencik said. “We’re happy and celebrating success, but we’re also looking at Steve’s condition.”

McMichael spent 13 seasons with the Bears, where he was a member of the 1985 Super Bowl team. McMichael was a two-time First Team All-Pro, three-time Second Team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. His 92.5 sacks ranks second in franchise history, behind only fellow Hall of Famer Dent (124.5).

“I’m not sure Steve really saw himself as a special player, but the greatest asset that Steve McMichael brought to our team was consistency,” Singletary said. “He was not really concerned about stats. The most important thing was that you always knew, come hell or high water, Steve was gonna do his job.

“For a middle linebacker, I always knew he was gonna be where he was supposed to be, and that takes all the second-guessing out of it. It makes you play that much faster. It makes all the difference in the world.”

McMichael’s wife, Misty, has said the push for the Hall of Fame has been inspiration for him to keep fighting.

“It’s gonna mean the world to them,” said Jim McMahon. “Maybe now he can let go. How he’s survived this long, I don’t know. He’s been through so much, and he’s still here. Hopefully now he hears great news and he can go in peace.”

Reggie Wayne hilariously reacts to Hall of Fame snub

Reggie Wayne’s reaction to his Hall of Fame snub was perfect.

Indianapolis Colts legendary wide receiver and current wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne will continue waiting on an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Class of 2024 was inducted Thursday night, a group that included former Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and his patented spin move. However, Wayne fell short again for the fifth consecutive year.

In true Wayne fashion, he reacted in a way that both encapsulated humor and disappointment by using the Kurt Angle meme.

Though Wayne’s patience is likely being tested considering the fact that he’s been a finalist in each of the five years he’s been on the ballot, he is going to get in sooner rather than later.

The committee opted to induct Devin Hester and Andre Johnson over Wayne despite Wayne’s superior numbers. Both Hester and Johnson are deserving of the nod, but an argument can be made that Wayne’s induction is overdue.

Wayne’s 14,345 receiving yards are the third-most non-Hall of Fame wide receivers, trailing only Larry Fitzgerald (17,492) and Steve Smith Sr. (14,731). Smith was surprisingly left off the list of finalists for the 2024 class while Fitzgerald isn’t eligible until 2026.

Wayne will get in eventually, and he has a good chance to finally be inducted in 2025.

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