Tag: Torry Holt

Rams legend Torry Holt is a Hall of Fame semifinalist for the 11th time

Torry Holt continues to wait his turn for the Hall of Fame, being selected a semifinalist for the 11th time

Torry Holt has been waiting his turn for a long time and hopefully, this is the year the St. Louis Rams legend finally breaks through as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. On Wednesday, Holt was announced as one of 25 modern-era semifinalists, which is practically a given for him at this point.

It’s the 11th year in a row that Holt has been voted a semifinalist, two more than any other player in this year’s class. The next-closest candidates are Hines Ward and Darren Woodson, who have each been semifinalists nine times.

Among the other wide receivers in the 2025 semifinalist pool are Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne and Ward. It’s not the strongest receiver class, which gives Holt a better chance of getting in.

Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri, Richmond Webb and Marshall Yanda are first-time semifinalists in this class, too.

In his career, Holt was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times, was a first-team All-Pro once, won one Super Bowl and led the NFL in receiving yards twice. He also had at least 1,100 yards in eight straight seasons with the Rams, proving to be the model of consistency in St. Louis.

He finished with 13,382 yards and 74 touchdown receptions, which currently rank 17th and 43rd all-time in NFL history.

Holt is the only Rams representative who made it to the semifinalist stage this year, with Steven Jackson coming up short once again.

Torry Holt and Steven Jackson among nominees for 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Torry Holt and Steven Jackson will try to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as members of the 2025 class next year

Torry Holt has been eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2014, five years after he retired from the NFL. Yet, he’s still waiting to hear his name called in Canton.

The Rams legend hopes this will be the year he gets into the Hall of Fame after being a finalist in each of the last five years. On Wednesday, the initial list of nominees for the Class of 2025 was released and Holt is one of a few former Rams eligible for the Hall of Fame.

In addition to Holt, Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger and London Fletcher are all on the nominee list for the next class. Former Rams cornerback Aqib Talib is a first-time nominee, as well.

From this group of 167 nominees, the selection committee will narrow it down to 25 semifinalists this fall and then eventually 15 finalists. The full 2025 class will be revealed at the NFL Honors show in February.

Holt has come the closest to being voted in of all the former Rams listed above. He’s been a finalist in each of the last five years and will likely make it to that stage again this time, given his impressive resume.

Highlighting Rams legends: Torry Holt, who should be a Hall of Famer

One of the greatest players in Rams history, here’s why Torry Holt deserves his place in Canton and football eternity.

When Torry Holt ended his collegiate career, there was no doubt that he was the best wide receiver in the 1999 NFL Draft class. A consensus All-American, Holt was named ACC Player of the Year for the 1998 season, held multiple NC State school records upon graduation and he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons to finish out his Wolfpack career, something that would become the norm through his pro career.

St. Louis selected Holt with the sixth overall pick and less than a year later after his selection, the Rams would win Super Bowl XXXIV. A pivotal part of the Greatest Show on Turf, Holt played Robin to Batman, Isaac Bruce, as the duo became the most prolific pass-catching tandem in the league.

In Super Bowl XXXIV, Holt caught a team-high seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Holt and Bruce would both have over 100 receiving yards in the game and both men scored a touchdown.

By Holt’s second year in the NFL, it was clear that the Rams had two Batmans on the outside as Holt put up a league-leading 1,635 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The 2000 season would be the first of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Holt would have a career year in 2003. He would lead the league in receptions and receiving yards with career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Holt would receive a first-team All-Pro selection as a result. What made Holt’s 2003 season even more impressive is it was the first year Kurt Warner wasn’t on the roster. Marc Bulger became the full-time starter after a promising 2002 and Holt’s play helped send Bulger to the Pro Bowl.

Holt and the Rams would part ways after the 2008 season and he would sign with the Jaguars. After a year in Jacksonville and a brief offseason stint with the Patriots, Holt retired after an 11-year NFL career.

As of writing, Holt ranks 23rd on the all-time reception list. Holt also ranks 17th on the all-time touchdown list.

In Holt’s 10 years with the Rams, he had eight 1,000-yard seasons. He also helped the team qualify for the playoffs in five of those seasons including two trips to the Super Bowl and the team’s first-ever championship. Holt is also one of five players to record multiple 1,600-plus-yard seasons in NFL history.

Holt’s career is undoubtedly one of the most prolific of all time. Holt is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and has his number retired by NC State.

However, despite his legendary career, two accolades elude him in retirement. The Rams’ ring of honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s abundantly clear that one could not tell the story of the Rams or the NFL without Torry Holt. Without Holt, there’s no Greatest Show on Turf and without the Greatest Show on Turf, NFL offenses may not be as pass-happy as they are today.

Holt is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade team and his numbers speak for themselves. Whether the Rams were one of the league’s best as they were in the early 2000s or one of the worst teams in pro football as they were in the later half of the decade, Holt’s production never wavered.

He deserves his moment in the spotlight and it should be granted while he’s still able to enjoy it.

In retirement, Holt has teamed up with his brother and fellow NFL veteran Terrence Holt with their company Holt Brothers Construction. Based in their home state of North Carolina, Holt Brothers has been involved in some of the biggest projects within the Raleigh area.

The brothers remain active in football, helping out youth players in the North Carolina area. They also have a foundation built in memory of their late mother, Ojetta Holt-Shoffner. They help assist families whose parents are afflicted by cancer.

Torry Holt. A Hall of Famer both on and off the field. It’s time to give him his jacket.

Torry Holt doesn’t expect Rams defense to fall off without Aaron Donald

Torry Holt shared his thoughts on the Rams defense with Aaron Donald gone, pointing to a handful of players who need to step up

When you lose one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, there’s expected to be at least some drop-off on that side of the ball. The Los Angeles Rams will soon experience life without Aaron Donald for the first time since 2013 and it’s understandable to think the defense won’t be as dominant as it was in recent years.

Rams legend Torry Holt doesn’t expect the Rams defense to suddenly fall off a cliff, though. He believes they have the players in place to maintain a high level of play, assuming their young defenders step up and continue to get better.

“I think the expectations are the same,” Holt said on “The Herd” Friday. “I think that’s Sean McVay’s message. Yes, they have a new coordinator in (Chris) Shula, but Sean McVay has to manage so many things, players being plucked but also coaches being plucked year in and year out, but they continue to do a really good job of drafting and developing players. Kobie Turner’s gotta be good – gotta be better. He had a heck of a rookie season. He’s gotta be better. (Bobby) Brown’s gotta be better. They got two rookies from Florida State, (Braden) Fiske, as well as Jared Verse, who has to step up.”

Holt is well aware that Donald is irreplaceable. The Rams can’t simply sign one player or draft someone to take his place seamlessly. However, he believes as a group, the Rams have the pieces to overcome his departure.

“Now, no one replaces Aaron Donald,” Holt said. “Collectively, though, these guys have to play at a very high level. What I love about this Rams young front: They drafted these guys that they’re playing. Again, showing confidence that they have in their players and then their players deliver.”

If Turner continues to improve, Byron Young steps up and gets better as a pass rusher and the two rookies, Fiske and Verse, both become Day 1 starters, the Rams will be in good shape. There will probably be some early growing pains in the post-Donald era, but they sunk a lot of assets into the defensive front in the last two years and the hope is that it pays off in 2024.

Torry Holt comes up short again, not elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Torry Holt was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year despite being a finalist for the 5th time

Torry Holt will have to wait another year to potentially hear his name called in Canton. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2024 on Thursday night and Holt did not make the cut. He came up short in his 5th straight year as a finalist and his 10th year of eligibility.

Holt has had a strong case for Canton since retiring after the 2009 season, but voters once again passed over him in favor of other candidates. Despite statistically being one of the best receivers of all time, Holt was left on the outside looking in yet again.

The Class of 2024 features Dwight Freeney, Andre Johnson, Randy Grandishar, Patrick Willis, Steve McMichael, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.

During his 11-year career in the NFL, Holt caught 920 passes for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns. He spent 10 seasons with the Rams, winning one Super Bowl, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and leading the NFL in receiving yards twice.

Holt was voted a first-team All-Pro one time and was also a second-team selection once, finishing sixth in Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2003 when he had the most receptions and receiving yards in the NFL.

No player in the NFL had more receiving yards from 2000-2010 than Holt, who racked up 12,594 yards during that span despite playing his last season in 2009.

Holt currently ranks 23rd in career receptions, 17th in receiving yards and ninth in receiving yards per game in NFL history.

Torry Holt deserves to be a Hall of Famer after years of waiting his turn

Torry Holt is in his 10th year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame and his 5th as a finalist. He’s waited long enough.

Torry Holt has been eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the last 10 years. He’s made it to the semifinalist stage each time and has even been a finalist for five years in a row.

Yet, in each of the last four years, he’s been left on the outside looking in, wondering what more needs to happen in order for him to make it to Canton. His resume speaks for itself. There’s no question he’s deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame when you compare his numbers to those of many receivers already wearing a gold jacket.

But for whatever reason, he keeps getting passed over for other greats despite retiring as one of the best wide receivers in league history.

There are a lot of stats and accolades that back up Holt’s case for Canton. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, which is one more than Randy Moss and Terrell Owens had. His 920 receptions are more than Hall of Famers such as Michael Irvin, Calvin Johnson, Steve Largent and James Lofton. He had more yards (13,382) than Andre Reed, Art Monk and Don Maynard, who are all Hall of Famers. He even had more first-team All-Pro selections (1) than his former teammate Isaac Bruce and another legend, Tim Brown.

From 2000-2010, no wide receiver in the NFL had more receiving yards than Holt (12,594). And it wasn’t particularly close. Second on the list was Moss, who had 11,739 yards during that span. And that’s without Holt even playing in the 2010 season like Moss did.

While team success certainly plays a role in some players making it to Canton thanks to the rings on their fingers, Holt has one of his own and he played in two Super Bowls during his career. Moss, Owens and Brown can’t say they have a Super Bowl ring like Holt, but that didn’t keep them from making the Hall of Fame.

Holt was the model of consistency during his 11-year career. He never had a season with fewer than 722 yards receiving. He never caught fewer than 51 passes in a season. He also went eight straight years with at least 1,100 yards receiving, making him the only player besides Jerry Rice to accomplish that, according to Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Frederickson also pointed out perhaps the most significant stat that should get Holt into the Hall of Fame. From 1999 to 20009, which spans Holt’s career, he led the NFL in targets, receptions and receiving yards. Think about that for a second. No one during Holt’s career had more catches or yards than him.

It’s not as if Holt didn’t have high peaks in his career, either. He led the NFL with 1,635 yards in 2000, yet somehow wasn’t voted an All-Pro. He once again led the NFL with 1,696 yards in 2003, while also catching a league-high 117 passes that year.

When Holt retired, he was 10th all-time in receiving yards, 11th in receptions, 28th in touchdown catches and fourth in receiving yards per game. Even now, he still ranks 17th in receiving yards, 23rd in receptions and ninth in yards per game – and that’s with the NFL becoming much more pass-heavy than it was during his time.

Holt has waited long enough. He should’ve been voted into the Hall of Fame a few years ago. There’s no reason Reggie Wayne, Devin Hester or Andre Johnson – three other wide receivers who are finalists this year – should get into Canton before Holt.

The key members of the Greatest Show on Turf are all in the Hall of Fame, and it’s time for Holt to join them.

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.

Jaguars great Fred Taylor is finally a Hall of Fame finalist

In his fifth year as a semifinalist, Fred Taylor finally earned a well-deserved spot among the Hall of Fame finalists.

It took five tries, but Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor is finally a well-deserved Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist.

Taylor, who is in his ninth year of eligibility , was one of 15 former players named modern-era finalists for the Class of 2024 on Wednesday. Shortly before the Super Bowl in February, the 50-person Selection Committee will convene and cut the list down from 15 to 10 and then 10 to five.

If Taylor reaches the final five, the committee will vote to decide if he’s an inductee. An 80 percent vote would get him enshrined.

Taylor is the only running back on the list of finalists, which includes two players in their first year of eligibility: Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates.

Wide receiver Torry Holt, who spent the majority of his career with the St. Louis Rams before finishing his career with one season in Jacksonville, is also a finalist.

Tony Boselli is the only former Jaguars player to be enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Rams legend Torry Holt named finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Torry Holt is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame again, the 5th year in a row he’s made it to this stage

Torry Holt will have a shot at becoming a Hall of Famer again this year. The former St. Louis Rams receiver has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the fifth year in a row, one of 15 modern-era players selected as a finalist for the Class of 2024.

In his career, Holt played 10 seasons with the Rams. He caught 869 passes for 12,660 yards and 74 touchdowns in St. Louis before finishing his career with one final season in Jacksonville in 2009. He made the Pro Bowl seven times and was a first-team All-Pro once in 2003, all as a member of the Rams.

He went eight straight years with at least 1,100 yards receiving, leading the NFL in receiving yards twice in his career: 2000 and 2003, going over 1,600 yards each time. In three seasons, he scored at least 10 touchdown, topping out with 12 in 2003 when he was an All-Pro.

Another former member of the Rams, London Fletcher, did not make the cut as a finalist. He was voted a semifinalist for the second year in a row, but he has yet to advance to the finalist stage despite being one of the most productive linebackers in NFL history.

Fred Taylor a Hall of Fame semifinalist for 5th straight year

Fred Taylor is one of 25 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. Is this the year he gets in?

Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor is one of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Taylor, 47, has now been a semifinalist in five consecutive years, but has never made it to the next round of the voting process. In January, the 15 finalists will be announced and the Class of 2024 will be formally introduced days before the Super Bowl in February.

During his 11 seasons with the Jaguars, Taylor accumulated 11,271 rushing yards, 2,361 receiving yards, and 70 total touchdowns. He later finished his career with two seasons as a member of the New England Patriots.

Taylor’s 11,695 career rushing yards are 17th most in NFL history behind 14 Hall of Famers and a pair of likely future inductees in Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson.

Only two players this year, former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and former Panthers pass rusher Julius Peppers, are semifinalists in their first year of eligibility. Taylor is one of four running backs on the list, along with Tiki Barber, Eddie George, and Ricky Watters.

Also among the semifinalists is Torry Holt, who played 10 seasons with the St. Louis Rams before finishing his career with one year in Jacksonville. Holt has now been a semifinalist in 10 straight years and has been a finalist in each of the last four years.

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