Pro Football Hall of Fame 2024: Meet the Finalists
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has just announced the finalists for its Class of 2024, marking another exciting milestone in recognizing outstanding talent in the sport. This year’s shortlist offers a fantastic mix of players who have demonstrated exceptional abilities on the field.
Among the many noteworthy names, two in particular stand out for being in their first year of eligibility: the formidable tight end Antonio Gates and the relentless defensive end Julius Peppers.
Let’s take a closer look at these finalists and their extraordinary careers.
2024 Hall of Fame Finalists
Here is a closer look at the Hall of Fame finalists for this year and the teams they played for:
Eric Allen
Playing as a defensive back, Allen had an impressive career spanning across three major teams: the Philadelphia Eagles (1988-1994), the New Orleans Saints (1995-1997), and the Oakland Raiders (1998-2001).
Jared Allen
Jared Allen, a stalwart defensive end, showcased his skills with the Kansas City Chiefs (2004-2007), Minnesota Vikings (2008-2013), Chicago Bears (2014-2015), and Carolina Panthers (2015).
Willie Anderson
Willie Anderson, an outstanding offensive tackle, played for the Cincinnati Bengals (1996-2007) before finishing his career with the Baltimore Ravens (2008).
Jahri Evans
Jahri Evans, a remarkable offensive lineman, spent most of his career with the New Orleans Saints (2006-2016) before a final season with the Green Bay Packers (2017).
Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney, a respected defensive end, enjoyed a long and illustrious career with multiple teams: he played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-2012, the San Diego Chargers from 2013-2014, the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, and finally, the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks in 2017.
Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates, considered one of the greatest tight ends in football history, played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers from 2003 to 2018.
Rodney Harrison
Rodney Harrison, a formidable defensive back, played for the San Diego Chargers (1994-2002) before joining the New England Patriots, where he played from 2003 to 2008, helping them win two Super Bowls.
Devin Hester
Known for his special teams prowess, Devin Hester played as a punt returner, kick returner, and wide receiver for the Chicago Bears (2006-2013), Atlanta Falcons (2014-2015), Baltimore Ravens (2016), and Seattle Seahawks (2016). He remains the only player in NFL history to return the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl for a touchdown.
Torry Holt
Wide receiver Torry Holt had an illustrious career playing for the St. Louis Rams (1999-2008) and finishing up with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009.
Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson, another star wide receiver, spent the majority of his career with the Houston Texans (2003-2014), followed by stints with the Indianapolis Colts (2015) and Tennessee Titans (2016).
Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers, a force to be reckoned with at defensive end, played for the Carolina Panthers (2002-2009/2017-2018), Chicago Bears (2010-2013), and Green Bay Packers (2014-2016).
Fred Taylor
Running Back Fred Taylor had a notable career with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008), before concluding his career with the New England Patriots (2009-2010).
Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne, a spectacular wide receiver, played for the Indianapolis Colts from 2001 to 2014. He helped lead the Colts to their only Super Bowl during the Peyton Manning era.
Patrick Willis
Linebacker Patrick Willis was a key player for the San Francisco 49ers from 2007 to 2014. His stellar play helped tilt the FanDuel MNF betting odds in the 49ers’ favor when they played in primetime.
Darren Woodson
Finally, Darren Woodson, a safety, had a distinguished career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1992 to 2003. He was instrumental in helping the franchise win three Super Bowl titles in four years.
Induction Ceremony for the Hall of Fame Class of 2024
The process of selecting the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was meticulous and involved multiple stages, drawing the attention of sports enthusiasts and betting platforms like FanDuel, which released betting odds for each stage. It began in September with an initial pool of 173 nominees, which was subsequently trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November.
From these, the modern-era player finalists were chosen by the Hall’s Selection Committee, a group dedicated to identifying exceptional talent in the sport. Steve McMichael, Randy Gradishar, Art Powell, and Buddy Parker, all of whom were finalists in the contemporary period, will also be considered.
The final inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be announced during the NFL Honors. This much-anticipated event is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 8. Football fans can tune in to the ceremony on CBS and NFL Network or stream it on Paramount+ and NFL+.
