Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

One player from each NFL team who should be in the Hall of Fame by now

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its 25 semifinalists for the Class of 2024. Which got us thinking: Who should already be in?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently revealed its list of 25 modern-era semifinalists who will be considered for the Class of 2024, which will be revealed before Super Bowl LVIII in February.

Among them are two first-year eligible candidates that made the semifinalist cut in tight end Antonio Gates and pass rusher Julius Peppers. There are a slew of other notable names who have been finalists in the past, including return specialist Devin Hester, wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. and Torry Holt and linebacker Patrick Willis.

There are also three senior finalists up for induction: Linebacker Randy Gradishar, defensive tackle Steve McMichael and wide receiver Art Powell.

That made us wonder: Who is one player, coach or owner from each NFL team who should be in the Hall of Fame by now? Because, let’s face it, there are multiple deserving parties who continue to wait their turn.

From multi-year semifinalists to those who have been waiting decades to those considered among the greatest ever at their position, our NFL Wire editors revealed their pick for one player, coach or owner who should be in the Hall of Fame by now.

Trio of Colts legends among 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Dwight Freeney are among the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

This will be Wayne’s fifth time on the ballot. He has made it as a semifinalist every year (2020-2024) and a finalist in each of his first four years on the ballot (2020-2023). Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions are more than 13 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. His 14,345 receiving yards are more than 14 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame.

Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010. He also holds the Colts’ franchise record for career games played (211). His 1,070 career receptions, 14,345 career yards and 82 career receiving touchdowns are all the second-most in franchise history behind Marvin Harrison.

This is Mathis’ third time on the ballot and the third time he’s reached the semifinalist stage of the process (2022-2024). Mathis is the Colts’ franchise leader in sacks (123) and NFL leader in forced fumbles (54), thanks to his elite strip-sack ability. He was a five-time Pro Bowler while earning an All-Pro nod in 2013 when he recorded a career-high 19.5 sacks. That also resulted in him winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

This is Freeney’s second time on the ballot. It’s the second time he’s reached the semifinalist stage (2023) after being a finalist during his first year on the ballot). His 125.5 career sacks rank 26th all time while he was a three-time All-Pro First Team selection (2004-2005, 2009) and a seven-time Pro Bowler (2003-2005, 2008-2011).

Former Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson, who spent the 2015 season with the team, also is a semifinalist for the third consecutive year (2022-2024).

From here, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will announce 15 finalists in early January. The committee will vote, and the Class of 2024 will be inducted during the NFL Honors just before the Super Bowl. In August, the Class of 2024 will officially be enshrined in Canton.

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Willie Anderson named Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist

Is this the year for Willie Anderson?

Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Willie Anderson has been named as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the fourth straight year. He is included in a list of 25 players that only includes one other offensive lineman.

Anderson is already in the Bengals Ring of Honor but is still chasing being enshrined in Canton. If he advances to the finals, it would be the third straight year he would make it that far, and the final vote is in mid-January.

Anderson was drafted 10th overall in 1996 by the Bengals, playing 12 seasons in Cincinnati before moving on to Baltimore in 2008.

The late Ken Riley was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this year after being eligible for years. He was the second Cincinnati player to be selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame after Anthony Munoz.

Notable Bengals that didn’t make the semifinals this year were all-time leading rusher Corey Dillon, all-time leading receiver Chad Johnson, linebacker Takeo Spikes and Justin Smith.

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Former Cardinals Anquan Boldin, Dwight Freeney are Hall of Fame semifinalists again

Boldin was named one of 25 semifinalists for the third time. Freeney is a semifinalist for the second time.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Tuesday the 25 modern-day semifinalists to make the 2024 class. That group of 25 former players includes two former Arizona Cardinals — wide receiver Anquan Boldin and pass rusher Dwight Freeney.

Boldin is a semifinalist for the third time. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round in 2003 and played for them from 2003-2009.

After going on to play for the Ravens, 49ers and Lions, he finished his career with 1,076 receptions for 13,779 yards and 82 touchdowns.

Freeney played most of the 2015 season for the Cardinals and had eight sacks in 11 games. He finished his career with 125.5 sacks.

Freeney is a semifinalist for the second time.

The 25 semifinalists will be pared down to 15 finalists before the final vote.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Former Washington LB London Fletcher named semifinalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class

Is this the year for London Fletcher?

Is 2024 the year for London Fletcher?

On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 25 modern-era semifinalists for the class of 2024, and the former Washington linebacker made the cut. It’s Fletcher’s third consecutive year as a semifinalist.

Fletcher signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent from John Carroll University in 1998. Fletcher spent four seasons with the Rams before signing with Buffalo, where he spent the next five years of his career. Fletcher signed with Washington as a free agent in 2007 and played his seven seasons in the burgundy and gold.

In 16 NFL seasons, Fletcher played in 256 games and recorded 2,039 tackles, 39 sacks, 109 tackles for loss, 19 forced fumbles, 23 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries and three touchdowns. He appeared in four Pro Bowls [all with Washington], was a two-time second-team All-Pro, is in Washington’s Ring of Fame, and is also one of the franchise’s 90 greatest players. Fletcher is currently a radio analyst for the Washington Commanders.

Fletcher’s numbers rival Ray Lewis, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018 — his first year of eligibility.

The Hall of Fame also has 12 senior semifinalists for the 2024 class, and former Washington offensive tackle Joe Jacoby was among those names. We’ve made the case for Jacoby numerous times as he remains one of the biggest Pro Football Hall of Fame snubs.

Raiders great CB Eric Allen among 25 modern-era semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024

Raiders great CB Eric Allen among 25 modern-era semifinalists for Hall of Fame

Tuesday the Pro Football Hall of Fame trimmed it’s list of nominees for the class of 2024 down to 25 semi-finalists. Among them is former Raiders CB Eric Allen. You can see the full list here.

Allen spent the final four years of his career with the Raiders from 1998-2001. And that stretch was the most successful for the Raiders over the past four decades.

The six time Pro Bowler added 15 interceptions to his career total of 54 interceptions in his four seasons in Oakland. This included six interceptions in 2000 and another in the playoffs. He took three of those interceptions back for touchdowns.

Allen has been a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame four times over 18 years of eligibility.

From here the list will be trimmed to 15 modern-era finalists.

Along with the modern-era finalists, there are four senior committee finalists including Raiders’ legendary wide receiver Art Powell.

Then the inductees will be announced at the NFL Honors show in Las Vegas on Feb 8 prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

Making the case for 10 Broncos who should be in the Hall of Fame

Randy Gradishar appears to be on the verge of reaching the Hall of Fame, but these Broncos players continue to be overlooked by voters.

The Denver Broncos are represented by 10 former players and late former owner Pat Bowlen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and another former player will likely join them in Canton next year.

Former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was named a senior finalist for the Hall of Fame last August, and he seems likely to be elected as a member of the 2024 class in January. Even with Gradishar seemingly on the verge of getting in, though, Denver remains underrepresented in Canton.

Two months ago, 16 former Broncos were named among 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 Hall of Fame class. That list of nominees was narrowed down to a list of 25 semifinalists announced Tuesday and not a single Denver player made the cut.

Granted, many of the modern-era semifinalists this year are more than deserving — Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney and Devin Hester among them — but the Broncos also have many deserving players who have been overlooked for years, and they are now one more year removed from possible enshrinement.

Here’s a quick look at ten Denver representatives who should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Two Patriots legends listed as semifinalists for 2024 Hall of Fame class

Four former Patriots players, including two longtime legends, are semifinalists for the Pro Football of Fame in 2024.

Multiple former New England Patriots players, including two longtime legends, have been voted in as two of the 25 semifinalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

For Patriots fans, the two names that immediately jump off on the list are former defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and safety Rodney Harrison.

Both are Patriots Hall of Famers and two-time Super Bowl winners with the franchise. Wilfork, who was drafted by the Patriots in 2004, was one of the most dominant defenders in team history, while Harrison completely reshaped the defensive backfield with his elite talent and leadership.

Linebacker James Harrison and running back Fred Taylor, two players that had quick pit stops in New England in their careers, were also listed among the semifinalists.

The next hurdle will be making it to the top-15 of the upcoming cutdown vote to be one step closer to becoming one of the five finalists for permanent enshrinement in Canton.

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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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Cowboys legend Darren Woodson named Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist for 8th time

From @ToddBrock24f7: “At some point, it’s going to happen,” the Cowboys’ all-time leading tackler said last year after not getting in as a first-time finalist.

It’s that time of year again.

In what has frustratingly become an annual tradition, Cowboys safety Darren Woodson begins his wait- for the eighth time now- to see if he will finally be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

The Hall has announced its list of modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2024; Woodson is among 25 former players to reach this stage out of an original group of 173 nominees. Woodson was previously a semifinalist in 2015, 2017, and every year from 2019 through 2023. He made it to the finalist stage last year for the first time.

Woodson’s achievements during his 12-year Cowboys career speak for themselves. The franchise’s all-time leading tackler. Three-time Super Bowl champ. Five-time Pro Bowler. Four-time first-team All-Pro. Ring of Honor member… since 2015.

It’s more than enough to have also gotten him a gold jacket long ago.

“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.”

Tiki Barber, Julius Peppers, Antonio Gates, Devin Hester, and Steve Smith Sr. are among Woodson’s fellow semifinalists this year. So is running back Eddie George, the longtime Houston Oiler/Tennessee Titan who spent his final NFL season as a Cowboy.

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The list of 25 semifinalists will be narrowed down to 15 modern-era finalists before the final voting process. That list will then be thinned to 10 and then just five names during a meeting of the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee after the first of the year. The Class of 2024 will be announced during Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas in early February.

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