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The Pro Football Hall of Fame names the Class of 2024
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.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Names their 2024 Finalists
Happy Holidays!
The Holiday season continues, but for us at Notinhallofame.com., this is the equivalent of Santa Claus looking down the chimney.
Tonight, Canton told us who has taken the next step to join their hallowed halls and here we are!
These are the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists in alphabetical order:
Eric Allen: Cornerback. 1988-94 PHI, 1995-97 NO, 1998-2001 OAK. Allen became a Finalist for the first time and needs the momentum as his eligibility window in the modern era is closing. A six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who has 54 career Interceptions, Allen is ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jared Allen: Defensive End. 2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR. Allen is now four-for-four in eligibility years as a Finalist. A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss. A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com,
Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle. 1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time. He is now a three-time Finalist. Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jahri Evans: Offensive Guard. 2006-16 NO, 2017 GB. Evans makes it as a Finalist in his second yer, and is the first player from the New Orleans Super Bowl winning team to make it here. The Guard was a six-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dwight Freeney: Defensive End. 2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET. Freeney is a Finalist for the second straight year and won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros. Freeney is ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Antonio Gates: Tight End. 2003-18 SD/LAC. Gates is an unsurprising Finalist on his first ballot. He will enter the Hall soon, and the only question is whether the eight-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro enters this year. Odds are that he will. He is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rodney Harrison: Safety. 1994-2002 SD, 2003-08 NE. Eligible since 2014, Harrison is now a three-time Semi-Finalist, and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots. Also, a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harrison had 30.5 Sacks and 30 Interceptions. Harrison is ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver. 2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL. Hester is now a three-time Finalist, and has been one all three of eligible years, so it is only a matter of time before he is modeling for that Canton bust. A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team. Hester is ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Torry Holt: Wide Receiver. 1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX. A ten-time Semi-Finalist, Holt is now a five-time Finalist. A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader. Holt is ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com, and it appears that he is the next WR in queue, but strange things can happen.
Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver. 2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN. Johnson is now a Finalist in his first three years on the ballot. Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category. Johnson is ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Julius Peppers: Defensive End. 2002-09 & 2017-18 CAR, 2010-13 CHI, 2014-15 GB. Peppers is a Finalist in year one, and has an excellent chance to be a first-year inductee. A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks. Peppers is ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Fred Taylor: Running Back. 1998-08 JAX, 2009-10 NE. Taylor is now on a five-year streak of Semi-Final Selections, and he broke through finally as a Finalist. He only had one Pro Bowl under his belt, but is highly believed to be the best offensive skill player that Jacksonville ever had. Taylor is ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver. 2001-14 IND. Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and has been a Semi-Finalist all five of his years on the ballot, is now a five-time Finalist. A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, Could Wayne be the next WR in the Hall?
Patrick Willis: Linebacker. 2007-14 SF. Willis is now a five-time Semi-Finalist, and is now a three-time Finalist. Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them. He is ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com
Darren Woodson: Safety. 1992-03 DAL. Woodson becomes a Finalist for the second time, and time is elapsing on his candidacy. He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Those left off were Tiki Barber, Anquan Boldin, London Fletcher, Eddie George, James Harrison, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters and Vince Wilfork
So, who is going to get in!!!
These Finalists will join Senior Candidates, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, and Coaches/Contributor Finalist, Buddy Parker, and over Super Bowl weekend we will learn who will comprise the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame names its 2024 Semi-Finalists
The last two weeks of November have always been special for Hall of Fame watchers. The Baseball Hall of Fame puts forth their official ballot for the modern candidates, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame reduces their preliminary candidates to 25 Semi-Finalists.
For the first time (at least that we are aware of) the PFHOF made their declaration in the AM, and we have two former players, who are debuting on their first year of eligibility.
Here are the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Semi-Finalists in alphabetical order:
Eric Allen: Cornerback. 1988-94 PHI, 1995-97 NO, 1998-2001 OAK. Allen is now a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight year, and he needs this momentum as he has been eligible since 2007, but has yet to become a Finalist. A six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who has 54 career Interceptions, Allen is ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our mock committee.
Jared Allen: Defensive End. 2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR. Allen returns as a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight year, and considering he was a Finalist the last three years, it is expected that he will advance again. A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss. A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our mock committee
Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle. 1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time. Now a four-time Semi-Finalist, “Big Willie” was a Finalist for the last two years. Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com. He was also one of the 25 selected by our mock committee.
Tiki Barber: Running Back. 1997-06 NYG. Barber has been eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for twelve years and he is now a first time Semi-Finalist. One of three Running Backs who have made it this far, Barber was a three-time Pro Bowl and one time First Team All-Pro, and twice led the league in Yards From Scrimmage. He is ranked #165 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Anquan Boldin: Wide Receiver. 2003-2009 AZ, 2010-12 BAL, 2013-15 SF, 2016 DET. A Semi-Finalist in his first three year of eligibility, the former Wide Receiver is seeking his first trip to the Finals. With 13,779 Yards and 82 Touchdowns, Boldin won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. Boldin is ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jahri Evans: Offensive Guard. 2006-16 NO, 2017 GB. Evans makes the Semis in his first two year of eligibility, and is the first player from the New Orleans Super Bowl winning team to make it here. The Guard was a six-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.
London Fletcher: Linebacker. 1998-01 STL, 2002-06 BUF, 2007-13 WAS. Eligible since 2019, Fletcher is now a two-time Semi-Finalist who recorded over 2,000 Tackles over his career and is a Super Bowl Champion with the Rams. A four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro is ranked #56 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Antonio Gates: Tight End. 2003-18 SD/LAC. Gates is an unsurprising Semi-Finalist on his first ballot, and he is a lock to be a Finalist. He will enter the Hall soon, and the only question is whether the eight-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro enters this year. Odds are that he will. He is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.
Eddie George: Running Back. 1996-03 HOU/TEN, 2004 DAL. George is a Semi-Finalist for the second time after first making this stage two years ago. The four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro is ranked #168 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dwight Freeney: Defensive End. 2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET. Freeney is one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path. Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros. Freeney is ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.
James Harrison: Linebacker. 2002-12 PIT, 2013 CIN, 2014-17 PIT, 2017 NE. Harrison is a Semi-Finalist on his first year on the ballot and was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers. The 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison went to five Pro Bowls and earned two-time First Team All-Pros. Harrison is ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rodney Harrison: Safety. 1994-2002 SD, 2003-08 NE. Eligible since 2014, Harrison is now a three-time Semi-Finalist, and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots. Also, a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harrison had 30.5 Sacks and 30 Interceptions. Harrison is ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver. 2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL. Hester was a Semi-Finalist and Finalist in his first two years n the ballot, so it is only a matter of time before he is modeling for that Canton bust. A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team. Hester is ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.*
Torry Holt: Wide Receiver. 1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX. A ten-time Semi-Finalist, Holt has been a Finalist the last four years, and likely will add a fifth. A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader. Holt is ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee. It appears that he is the next WR in queue, but strange things can happen.
Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver. 2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN. Johnson was a Finalist in his first two years of eligibility and should be again this year. Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category. Johnson is ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Robert Mathis: Defensive End & Linebacker. 2003-16 IND. A Super Bowl Champion with Indianapolis, the team he spent his entire career with, Mathis is on his third year of eligibility, and is now a three-time Semi-Finalist. With 123 career Sacks, six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro, Mathis is ranked #108 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Julius Peppers: Defensive End. 2002-09 & 2017-18 CAR, 2010-13 CHI, 2014-15 GB. Peppers is a Semi-Finalist n year one, and it should be expected that he will advance as a Finalist. A nine-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro, Peppers has a whopping 159.5 Sacks. Peppers is ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected in our Mock Committee.
Steve Smith: Wide Receiver. 2001-13 CAR, 2014-16 BAL. A five-time Pro Bowl and 14,000 Receiving Yards Club member, Smith is one of the greatest offensive players in Panthers history. Smith has been eligible for three years, and is now a Semi-Finalist in all of them, though he has yet to be a Finalist. He is ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Fred Taylor: Running Back. 1998-08 JAX, 2009-10 NE. Taylor is now on a five-year streak of Semi-Final Selections, though he has yet to be a Finalist. He only had one Pro Bowl under his belt, but is highly believed to be the best offensive skill player that Jacksonville ever had. Taylor is ranked #186 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Hines Ward: Wide Receiver. 1998-2011 PIT. Ward has been a Semi-Finalist all right years of eligibility, but this has yet to get him to the Finals. Could this be the year? If so, we are talking about a Super Bowl MVP, a two-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro Bowler. Ward is ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ricky Watters: Running Back. 1992-94 SF, 1995-97 Ricky Watters, 1998-2001 SEA. Watters is running out of time as this his third last year on the ballot. A Semi-Finalist four times before, he won a Super Bowl with San Francisco and went to five Pro Bowls. Watters is ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 in our Mock Committee.
Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver. 2001-14 IND. Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and has been a Semi-Finalist all five of his years on the ballot, and likely will be a five-time Finalist in a month. A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, Could Wayne be the next WR in the Hall?
Vince Wilfork: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle. 2004-12 NE, 2015-16 HOU. The mountain of a man helped New England win a Super Bowl and is now three-for-three in Semi-Final appearances, though this has not translated into a berth in the Finals. The five-time Pro Bowler is ranked #140 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Patrick Willis: Linebacker. 2007-14 SF. Willis is now a five-time Semi-Finalist, and was a Finalist the last two years. Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them. He is ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com*
Darren Woodson: Safety. 1992-03 DAL. Woodson is now a seven-time Semi-Finalist, but it was not until last year that he made the Finals. He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #77 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 25 selected by our Mock Committee.
*Please note that Hester and Willis were not included in our Mock Committee Semi-Finalists as we have already “inducted” them in previous discussions.
It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting tonight on YouTube to name and debate out Finalists.
So, who is going to get in!!!
This group witll pared down to 15 in January, and those Finalists will join Senior Candidates, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, and Coaches/Contributor Finalist, Buddy Parker
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announces the 2023 Finalists
Some say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. For us at Notinhalloffame.com, it is the month after, where “Hall of Fame Season” is in its apex, with the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists.
We at Notinhalloffame.com, held our mock committee meeting last month, where we pushed through our 15, which differs from the actual Hall (as expected).
The 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists of 2023 are:
Jared Allen: Defensive End. 2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR. Allen advances for the third straight year, and has been a Finalist in all three of his eligible years. A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss. A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle. 1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time. Big Willie is now on a two-year streak as a Finalist. Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ronde Barber: Cornerback & Safety. 1997-2002 TB. Barber has been on the ballot for six years and is now a three-time Finalist. A member of Tampa’s first Super Bowl Title, Barber has 47 Interceptions, 20 Sacks and went to five Pro Bowls as well as earning three First Team All-Pros. Barber is ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dwight Freeney: Defensive End. 2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET. Freeney was one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, and he is now a first-year Finalist; a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path. Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros. Freeney is ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver. 2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL. Hester is a Finalist in his first two years of eligibility. A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team. Hester is ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Torry Holt: Wide Receiver. 1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX. A nine-time Semi-Finalist, Holt is no a four-time Finalist. A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader. Holt is ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver. 2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN. Johnson is a two-time Finalist, which is the same number of years he has been eligible. Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category. Johnson is ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Albert Lewis: Cornerback. 1983-93 KC, 1994-98 LA/OAK. Lewis makes the Finals on his last year of eligibility, and was only a Semi-Finalist once before, in 2013. He was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Darrelle Revis: Cornerback. 2007-12 NYJ, 2013 TB, 2014 NE, NYJ 2015-16, KC 2017. A Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots in the lone year he was there, Revis is best known for his time with the Jets. Revis went to seven Pro Bowls, had four First Team All-Pros and is the 2009 leader in Approximate Value. This is his first year on the ballot. Revis is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Joe Thomas: Offensive Tackle. 2007-17 CLE. Thomas is without a doubt the best player in the second wave of the Cleveland Browns, but he did not have a lot of help. This is his first year on the ballot, and he was pegged to be a first-year Finalist by EVERYONE! The Lineman was a six-time First Team All-Pro, and went to ten Pro Bowls. Thomas is ranked #1on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Zach Thomas: Linebacker. 1997-2007 MIA, 2008 DAL. Thomas is now on a four-year streak of Finalist Selections. He went to seven Pro Bowls, earned five First Team All-Pros and was a two-time leader in Combined Tackles. Thomas is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
DeMarcus Ware: Linebacker & Defensive End. 2005-13 DAL, 2014-16 DEN. Ware is on his second year of eligibility has been a Finalist both years. A nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Ware twice led the NFL in Sacks, with 138.5 in total. Ware is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver. 2001-14 IND. Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and this marks the fourth consecutive trip to the Finalist round. A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Patrick Willis: Linebacker. 2007-14 SF. Willis adds a second straight Finalist to his resume, and with teammate, Bryant Young out of the way, there should be less obstruction. Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them. He is ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.
Darren Woodson: Safety. 1992-03 DAL. Woodson, who was a six-time Semi-Finalist, is finally a Finalist. He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com.
The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Anquan Boldin, Henry Ellard, Jahri Evans, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters and Vince Wilfork.
It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting on January 17, 9:30 EST, and we will be combining the official Finalists with ours.
This means we will be adding Randall Cunningham, Henry Ellard, Tom Nalen, Leslie O’Neal, Pat Swilling, and Richmond Webb.
So, who is going to get in!!!
You know that we will be paying attention, and we are excited to see how this pans out.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announces the 2023 Semi-Finalists
A day after the Baseball Hall of Fame announced their official ballot for the 2023 Class, the Pro Football Hall of Fame counters with the Semi-Finalists for their 2023 Class
Normally they nominate 25 men, but likely due to a tie vote, we have 28 official Semi-Finalists. This group includes five First Year eligible candidates.
Let’s take a look!
Eric Allen: Cornerback. 1988-94 PHI, 1995-97 NO, 1998-2001 OAK. Allen is now a Semi-Finalist for the third straight year, and he needs this momentum as he has been eligible since 2007. A six-time Pro Bowl Selection, who has 54 career Interceptions, Allen is ranked #49 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jared Allen: Defensive End. 2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR. Allen returns as a Semi-Finalist for the third straight year, and considering he was a Finalist the last two years, it is expected that he will advance again. A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss. A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle. 1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL. Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time. Now a three-time Semi-Finalist, “Big Willie” was a Finalist for the first time last year. Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ronde Barber: Cornerback & Safety. 1997-2002 TB. Barber has been on the ballot for six years and has been a Semi-Finalist for all of them, though only a Finalist the last two. A member of Tampa’s first Super Bowl Title, Barber has 47 Interceptions, 20 Sacks and went to five Pro Bowls as well as earning three First Team All-Pros. Barber is ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Anquan Boldin: Wide Receiver. 2003-2009 AZ, 2010-12 BAL, 2013-15 SF, 2016 DET. A Semi-Finalist last year in his first year of eligibility, the former Wide Receiver returns again, seeking his first trip to the Finals. With 13,779 Yards and 82 Touchdowns, Boldin won a Super Bowl with Baltimore, and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. Boldin is ranked #96 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: Wide Receiver. 1983-93 LAR, 1994-98 WAS, NE 1998. This is the last kick at the can for Ellard, who is a Semi-Finalist for the first time in his final year of eligibility. Ellard had 65 Touchdowns and 13,777 Receiving Yards, which had fewer peers when he played than the other nominated Wide Receivers. A three-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Ellard is ranked #91 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Jahri Evans: Offensive Guard. 2006-16 NO, 2017 GB. Evans makes the Semis in his first year of eligibility, and is the first player from the New Orleans Super Bowl winning team to make it here. The Guard was. a six-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.
London Fletcher: Linebacker. 1998-01 STL, 2002-06 BUF, 2007-13 WAS. Eligible since 2019, Fletcher is a first time Semi-Finalist who recorded over 2,000 Tackles over his career and is a Super Bowl Champion with the Rams. A four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro is ranked #64 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dwight Freeney: Defensive End. 2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET. Freeney is one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path. Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros. Freeney is ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
James Harrison: Linebacker. 2002-12 PIT, 2013 CIN, 2014-17 PIT, 2017 NE. Harrison is a Semi-Finalist on his first year on the ballot and was a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Steelers. The 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison went to five Pro Bowls and earned two-time First Team All-Pros. Harrison is ranked #51 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rodney Harrison: Safety. 1994-2002 SD, 2003-08 NE. Eligible since 2014, Harrison was a Semi-Finalist once before in 2021, and is a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots. Also, a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, Harrison had 30.5 Sacks and 30 Interceptions. Harrison is ranked #211 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver. 2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL. Hester was a Semi-Finalist and Finalist last year, which was his first year on the ballot. A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100th Anniversary Team. Hester is ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Torry Holt: Wide Receiver. 1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX. A nine-time Semi-Finalist, Holt has been a Finalist the last three years, and likely will add a fourth. A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader. Holt is ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver. 2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN. Johnson was a Finalist last year in his first year of eligibility, and he is back one step away from doing it again. Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category. Johnson is ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Albert Lewis: Cornerback. 1983-93 KC, 1994-98 LA/OAK. Lewis is on his last year of eligibility, and was only a Semi-Finalist once before, in 2013. He was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Robert Mathis: Defensive End & Linebacker. 2003-16 IND. A Super Bowl Champion with Indianapolis, the team he spent his entire career with, Mathis is on his second year of eligibility, and is now a two-time Semi-Finalist. With 123 career Sacks, six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro, Mathis is ranked #112 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Darrelle Revis: Cornerback. 2007-12 NYJ, 2013 TB, 2014 NE, NYJ 2015-16, KC 2017. A Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots in the lone year he was there, Revis is best known for his time with the Jets. Revis went to seven Pro Bowls, had four First Team All-Pros and is the 2009 leader in Approximate Value. Revis is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Steve Smith: Wide Receiver. 2001-13 CAR, 2014-16 BAL. A five-time Pro Bowl and 14,000 Receiving Yards Club member, Smith is one of the greatest offensive players in Panthers history. Smith has been eligible for two years, and is now a Semi-Finalist in both of them. He is ranked #26 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Fred Taylor: Running Back. 1998-08 JAX, 2009-10 NE. Taylor is now on a four-year streak of Semi-Final Selections, though he has yet to be a Finalist. He only had one Pro Bowl under his belt, but is highly believed to be the best offensive skill player that Jacksonville ever had. Taylor is ranked #180 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Thomas: Offensive Tackle. 2007-17 CLE. Thomas is without a doubt the best player in the second wave of the Cleveland Browns, but he did not have a lot of help. This is his first year on the ballot, and many expect him to easily make it to the Finals. The Lineman was a six-time First Team All-Pro, and went to ten Pro Bowls. Thomas is ranked #1on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Zach Thomas: Linebacker. 1997-2007 MIA, 2008 DAL. Thomas is now on a five-year Semi-Finalist run, and he will likely add a fourth straight Final. He went to seven Pro Bowls, earned five First Team All-Pros and was a two-time leader in Combined Tackles. Thomas is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Hines Ward: Wide Receiver. 1998-2011 PIT. Ward has been a Semi-Finalist all seven years of eligibility, but this has yet to get him to the Finals. Could this be the year? If so, we are talking about a Super Bowl MVP, a two-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro Bowler. Ward is ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.
DeMarcus Ware: Linebacker & Defensive End. 2005-13 DAL, 2014-16 DEN. Ware is on his second year of eligibility and was a Finalist last year. A nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Ware twice led the NFL in Sacks, with 138.5 in total. Ware is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Ricky Watters: Running Back. 1992-94 SF, 1995-97 Ricky Watters, 1998-2001 SEA. Watters is running out of time as this his third last year on the ballot. A Semi-Finalist three times before, he won a Super Bowl with San Francisco and went to five Pro Bowls. Watters is ranked #50 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver. 2001-14 IND. Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and has been a Semi-Finalist all four of his years on the ballot, and likely will be a four-time Finalist in a month. A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Vince Wilfork: Defensive Tackle & Nose Tackle. 2004-12 NE, 2015-16 HOU. The mountain of a man helped New England win a Super Bowl and is now two-for-two in Semi-Final appearances. The five-time Pro Bowler is ranked #148on Notinhalloffame.com.
Patrick Willis: Linebacker. 2007-14 SF. Willis is now a four-time Semi-Finalist, and was a Finalist for the first time last year. Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them. He is ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
Darren Woodson: Safety. 1992-03 DAL. Woodson is now a six-time Semi-Finalist, but has yet to break through to the Finals. He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.
It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting on either December 13 or 14 (TBD), and we will be combining the official Semi-Finalists with ours.
This means we will be adding Shaun Alexander, Ruben Brown, Ben Coates, Randall Cunningham, Tom Nalen, Leslie O’Neal, Neil Smith, Pat Swilling, Richmond Webb, Kevin Williams and Steve Wisniewski to our discussion.
So, who is going to get in!!!
You know that we will be paying attention, and we are excited to see how this pans out.
Devin Hester states he is a Hall of Famer
The Chicago Bears will be entering their 100thseason of Professional Football, former Return Specialist, Devin Hester was asked by Joe Greenberg of the Atlantic about his Pro Football Hall of Fame chances.
Hester had this to say:
“I have no doubt in my mind I will make it. I know I will. When it’s all said and done, there’s no question I will be a Hall of Famer.”
Hester is arguably the greatest Returner ever in NFL history but even if you agree with that, there has never been a return specialist who has entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 11,028 of his 14,455 All-Purpose Yards came from returns and he was a four-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro in that capacity. He holds the record for the most non-offensive Touchdowns with 20.
With the perception as the greatest returner intact, the question really is how the position is viewed. As we know, Special Teams players struggle to get into the Hall and there are already a lot of high-end players (regardless of the position) that are still on the outside looking in.
Hester will be eligible for Canton in 2022 and his profile is already up on Notinhalloffame.com.
Devin Hester will likely enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but not as quickly as he thinks.
Our 2022 Football Futures are now up
The entries that are eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022 are:
A.J. Hawk: A Linebacker who spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers and helped them win Super Bowl XLV.
Andre Johnson: A Wide Receiver who was a seven time Pro Bowler and two time First Team All Pro. Johnson, who was with the Houston Texans for the best part of his career was a two time Receiving Leader. He is also a three time NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year. Johnson finished his career with 14,185 Receiving Yards and 70 Touchdown Receptions.
Anquan Boldin: A three time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver with the Arizona Cardinals, Boldin would win a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens later in his career. He retired with 13,779 Receiving Yards and 82 Touchdowns.
Arian Foster: Foster went to four Pro Bowls in a career spent predominantly with Houston. Foster led the NFL in Rushing Yards in 2010 and would twice lead the league in Rushing Touchdowns.
Branden Albert. Albert was a two time Pro Bowl Offensive Tackle.
Brandon Flowers. A Pro Bowl Selection at Cornerback in 2013, Flowers played for both Kansas City and the San Diego Chargers.
Chad Greenway. Greenway was a two time Pro Bowl Linebacker who spent his entire run with the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded over 1,000 Tackles over his career.
Chris Chester. Chester played eleven seasons in the NFL mostly at Right Guard.
DeMarcus Ware. Ware was a nine time Pro Bowl and four time First Team All Pro Selection and is one of best defensive players in Dallas Cowboy history. As a Cowboy, he would lead the National Football League twice in Quarterback Sacks and tallied 138.5 over his run. He would win a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos late in his career.
Devin Hester. Hester is considered to be one of the best returners of all-time and he is also a four time Pro Bowler. He holds the record for the most Special Teams Touchdowns in NFL history.
Evan Mathis. A two time Pro Bowl Selection, Evan Mathis was an Offensive Guard who won a Super Bowl Ring with the Denver Broncos.
Jake Long. The first overall draft pick of 2008, Long went to four straight Pro Bowls (2008-11) at Offensive Tackle.
James Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis played most of his career with the St. Louis Rams as their starting Middle Linebacker.
Jordan Cameron. A Pro Bowl in 2013, Cameron played Tight End in a career spent with Cleveland and Miami.
Justin Forcett. A Wide Receiver who played for eight different teams in seven seasons.
Pat McAfee. A charismatic Punter (Yes, that does exist), Pat McAfee was a two time Pro Bowl Selection.
Percy Harvin. Harvin was Pro Bowl Selection in his rookie season and the Wide Receiver would go on to win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
Robert Mathis. Mathis is a member of the 100 Quarterback Sack Club who played his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts. The Linebacker went to six Pro Bowls and helped the Colts win a Super Bowl.
Steve Smith. Smith retired ranked seventh overall in Receiving Yards and Yards from Scrimmage. The Wide Receiver went to five Pro Bowls and in 2005 he would lead the NFL in Receptions, Receiving Yards and Receiving Touchdowns.
Tony Romo. Romo played his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys where the Quarterback was a four time Pro Bowler. He would lead the NFL in Quarterback Rating in 2014 and is third all-time in QB Rating.
Vince Wilfork. Wilfork was a five time Pro Bowl Nose Tackle who played most of his career with the New England Patriots. Wilfork won a Super Bowl with the Pats.
The entire list can be found here.
As always we thank you for your support and we look forward to putting together more sections up at Notinhalloffame.com.
Devin Hester Retires
Devin Hester announced via Twitter in the best Devin Hester way possible that he would be retiring from professional football.
“I have good news and bad news. Good news: Commissioner Goodell, you can put the kickoff back at the 30. Bad news, Y’all will have to find a new favorite returner….
…Hopefully next time I see y’all it’ll be in Canton.”
Hester retires as the most successful returner all-time with 19 Return Touchdowns (plus one more on a missed Field Goal). 14 of those Returns came from Punt Returns, an all-time record.
Hester was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of 2006 out of Miami (FL) and like so many rookie receivers he was utilized as a returner. Hester blossomed in this role, leading the NFL in Punt Return Yards, Return Touchdowns and making First Team All Pro honors. Hester would play another seven seasons with the Bears, earning two more First Team All Pro Selections.
In 2014, Hester would play with Atlanta and at the age of 32 he would be again named a First Team All-Pro and was the NFL leader in Kick Return Yards.
While there is no question that Devin Hester will go down as one of the best retuners ever, we always ask one question here:
Is Devin Hester a Hall of Famer?
Hester was regarded as the best at his position at one point, and we will argue that with the current rules he will be the last great returner in league history. He changed the way Special Teams coordinators thought and he gave Chicago (and Atlanta for one season) a dynamic weapon to be feared and was a popular figure. He also had another 16 Touchdowns as a Wide Receiver, with 255 Receptions, certainly a number that should add to his overall resume.
The problem of course is the Pro Football Hall of Fame and how they have treated Special Teams in the past. It has not been a stellar one, and this could easily hamper his road to Canton.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com will be ranking Hester once he is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (which will be in 2022), and expect it to be a high one at that.
Thank you Devin for the memories on the field and we look forward to seeing what you will do next!
Hodge Podge of HOF News
We’ll combine a few news items that we think our noteworthy in the “Hall of Fame” world.
Let’s start with the WWE.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard, former ECW World Heavyweight Champion was asked if he ever saw himself in the WWE Hall of Fame in the future. He didn’t exactly imply he wanted in, nor did he have kind words to say about the institution itself:
“It’s such a fake Hall of Fame. I’d only do it because I need the money. I don’t know if I would mother--- everyone or if I would take it graciously, but I don’t consider it a real Hall of Fame. It’s not like the Baseball Hall of Fame or the Football Hall of Fame. They let anybody in it, anybody who could draw money. The real wrestling Hall of Fames are in Iowa and Amsterdam, New York. They look for donations because they’re so broke, but they have s--- from the 1800s.
Vince’s Hall of Fame only has s--- from Vince’s company. If you didn’t work for his company, you’re not in the Hall of Fame. That’s nothing to do with how good you are, it only matters who owned them.”
Notably, Sabu inducted his uncle, The Original Sheik into the WWE Hall of Fame, and he is ranked currently #79 on our Notinhalloffame.com WWE List.
In what is our constant news from the world of Curt Schilling, he told TMZ that he doesn’t care about the Baseball Hall of Fame anymore.
Whether or not he means that or not, the fact will remain that he will be intertwined with Cooperstown until he gets in. Ironically, he will be less associated with the Baseball Hall of Fame if he were to get in.
As we have stated many times before, we know this story isn’t going away soon
Going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, former Head Coach, Lovie Smith has said that his former player, Devin Hester, who is expected to formally retire soon, goes down as one of the most prolific Returner in NFL history. He is a three time First Team All Pro Selection, is 8th all-time in Return Yards and 3rd all-time in Punt Return Yards. Hester was considered a game changer for years during his time as a Chicago Bear.
Should Hester retire, he will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
As always, the world of Halls of Fames continue, and we will always be paying attention!