We love this week.
As all football fans are pumped for this Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, we get most excited for the Pro Football Honors, which not only gives out the end of season awards, but the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The Hall selected seven names, five modern (Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, and Patrick Willis) and two Senior (Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael).
Dwight Freeney is a surprise entering on his second year. The Defensive End won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts, and spent most of his career there, where he earned seven Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pros. Last year, he was in the 10-15 category, and jumped not only fellow pass rusher, Jared Allen, but a few others.
Devin Hester gets in year three, and the member of the NFL 100th Anniversary Team likely will be the last player inducted whose main contribution was a returner. We are unlikely to ever see anyone follow in his footsteps.
Andre Johnson is this year’s Wide Receiver and arguably, he might have received the spot that Tight End, Antonio Gates was expected to get. Nevertheless, the position of WR will be clogged for some time, and Johnson is worthy with stats and accolades.
Julius Peppers was ranked #1 when he debuted last year as an eligible player, and the Carolina legend has arrived to Canton in year one. A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks spread over a career with Carolina, Chicago and Green Bay. This was the easiest one to call.
Patrick Willis finally gets in after (we felt) he was jumped by Bryant Young. The Linebacker played only eight years (all in San Francisco) where he was a Pro Bowl in seven and First Team All-Pro in five of them. This is was his fifth year on the ballot.
Randy Gradishar finally gives the Orange Crush Hall of Fame representation. The former Defensive Player of the Year was. Two-time Finalist as a Modern Candidate and is also was a Finalist in the Centennial Class. This was a long time coming and the most rewarding (for us) of all the Finalists).
Steve McMichael was a member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl Championship team, and is battling ALS. We are hopeful that he will be able to attend the ceremony.
Arguably the biggest surprise on the modern side was Tight End, Antonio Gates, who many pegged as a First Ballot entry. He will get in soon, just not on year one.
While Johnson enters, fellow Wide Receivers, Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne remain on the wait list after they were passed Houston’s first inductee.
Also failing to advance are Eric Allen (Cornerback), Jared Allen (Defensive End), Jahri Evans (Guard), Rodney Harrison (Safety), Fred Taylor (Running Back) and Darren Woodson.
The Senior category was where the biggest surprise, as they turned down Coach nominee, Buddy Parker, and Senior Player nominee, Art Powell. Both failed to get the necessary 80 percent, and as per Clark Judge, the Parker discussion was over an hour. With Parker’s multiple titles, his omission feels callous.
What the 12-person Senior Committee has to feel at this time that much of their effort was wasted to put forth four candidates, only to see half of them rejected.
Next month, we will begin work on revising the Notinhalloffame.com Football List, where we rank those who are eligible and worthy of consideration.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the impending members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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