As a part of Thursday’s NFL Honors program, the 2024 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame class has been revealed. It consists of modern-era standouts and three gamers chosen by the senior committee. Right here is the complete breakdown of this yr’s honorees.
Dwight Freeney, defensive finish (2002-17)
In his second yr as a finalist, Freeney acquired sufficient assist from the voters to be voted into the Corridor. One of many quickest edge rushers in NFL historical past, Freeney will attain Canton with 125.5 profession sacks. That complete ranks 18th in NFL historical past. The Colts made Freeney their pass-rushing anchor throughout Peyton Manning‘s prolonged run as their franchise centerpiece. Whereas the crew ultimately discovered a bookend in Robert Mathis, it selected Freeney eleventh total within the 2002 draft with a hope of constructing a go protection across the Syracuse alum. It was a hit.
Freeney completed second to fellow 2024 inductee Julius Peppers in 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Yr voting, however the spin-move maven confirmed what was forward by forcing 9 compelled fumbles as a rookie. The 11-year Colt earned 4 All-Professional honors, becoming a member of Mathis as one of many period’s defining pass-rushing duos. Freeney led the NFL with 16 sacks in 2004 and helped the Colts vanquish their Patriots hurdle en path to a Tremendous Bowl XLI win two years later. The Colts gave Freeney a six-year, $72M extension in 2007.
The enduring sack artist managed to play 5 seasons following his Colts profession, spending time with the Chargers, Falcons, Cardinals, Seahawks and Lions. Serving as a chosen rusher close to the top of his profession, Freeney helped the Cardinals attain the 2015 NFC championship recreation, after an eight-sack season, and performed in Tremendous Bowl LI with the Falcons.
Randy Gradishar, linebacker (1974-83)**
Broadly seen as probably the greatest linebackers of his period and one of many recreation’s finest tacklers of any interval, Gradishar strikes into the Corridor by way of the senior committee route. Gradishar’s choice makes him the primary member of the Broncos’ “Orange Crush” protection to be enshrined in Canton. That defensive nucleus powered Denver to its first playoff berth, a season that included postseason wins over Nineteen Seventies superpowers Pittsburgh and Oakland en path to Tremendous Bowl XII. The Broncos allowed simply 10.6 factors per recreation in 1977. Regardless of a number of rule modifications designed to extend offensive productiveness in 1978, the Broncos yielded simply 12.4 factors per contest that yr.
Gradishar performed his whole profession in Denver, incomes 5 All-Professional honors. The above-referenced 1978 season featured maybe one of the best crew in Steelers historical past, however Gradishar outflanked “Metal Curtain” cogs that season, being voted Defensive Participant of the Yr after serving to the 10-6 Broncos again to the playoffs. The off-ball linebacker added 20 interceptions and 4 defensive touchdowns in his profession.
Devin Hester, return specialist (2006-16)
Probably the best return man in NFL historical past, Hester turns into one of many few true specialists within the Corridor of Fame. Dabbling at cornerback and extensive receiver, Hester as an alternative supplied the Bears great worth as a return specialist. Elite in each the kick- and punt-return capacities, Hester set an NFL file with 20 return touchdowns. Famously including a kick-return rating within the playoffs — to start Tremendous Bowl XLI — Hester delivered one of many nice rookie seasons in NFL historical past in 2006. The Bears second-round choose notched six return TDs within the common season — one approaching a blocked area purpose dash in opposition to the Giants — and added No. 7 in opposition to the Colts within the Tremendous Bowl.
Hester’s 2007 season dismissed any fluke notions. He posted six extra return scores (4 on punts) throughout his NFL sophomore slate. Whereas producing 17 extra TDs on offense, Hester by no means caught on as a pure wideout in Chicago. However he landed on two All-Decade groups for his return work. Eighteen of Hester’s 19 return TDs got here in Chicago. Hester’s 14 punt-return TDs are 4 greater than second place all time (Eric Metcalf) and he broke the file for mixed kick- and punt-return TDs in solely his sixth season (2011).
The Falcons gave Hester a three-year, $9M contract in 2014 earlier than he completed his profession splitting time with the Ravens and Seahawks in 2016. Seattle signed Hester simply earlier than the 2016 playoffs, utilizing him in each its postseason contests that yr.
Andre Johnson, extensive receiver (2003-16)
Not gathering a Tremendous Bowl ring like the opposite two pure extensive receiver finalists on this yr’s class, Johnson turned well-known for placing up monster numbers regardless of not being gifted a top-tier quarterback. However Johnson operated as probably the most bodily imposing receivers in NFL historical past. The ex-Miami Hurricanes star’s numbers, largely compiled with David Carr and Matt Schaub focusing on him, mirror that. Of Johnson’s seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons, 4 included 1,400-plus yards. Solely Jerry Rice (six) and Julio Jones (5) produced extra such seasons. Johnson’s 14,185 profession yards rank eleventh all time.
The Texans selected Johnson third total in 2003, the second draft of their historical past. The 229-pound go catcher led the NFL in receptions twice and receiving yards in back-to-back years (2008, 2009). Neither of these seasons lifted the Texans to a playoff berth, however Johnson remained in place because the crew’s No. 1 wideout when the crew lastly booked its first two postseason cameos in 2011 and 2012. Johnson amassed 201 yards in two playoff video games in 2011, doing so regardless of Schaub’s damage leaving rookie T.J. Yates on the controls.
Johnson retired with probably the most video games performed in Texans historical past, spending 12 years with the crew. Johnson signed two extensions spanning at the least seven years in size, incomes greater than $108M all through his NFL run. He completed a 14-year profession with one season apiece in Indianapolis and Tennessee. Johnson is the Texans’ first Corridor of Famer.
Steve McMichael, defensive deal with (1980-94)**
A part of the storied 1985 Bears’ protection, McMichael performed 13 of his 15 NFL seasons in Chicago. A Patriots draftee, McMichael discovered himself within the Windy Metropolis forward of his second season. The Patriots waived the long run D-line mainstay through the 1981 offseason. Teaming with fellow Corridor of Famers Dan Hampton and Richard Dent (together with William “The Fridge” Perry) on Chicago’s D-line, McMichael earned 4 All-Professional honors whereas serving to a Bears crew — one which noticed Jim McMahon accidents impede paths to Tremendous Bowls — turn into a perennial contender.
The Bears did, after all, break via as champions in 1985. That 18-1 crew is on the brief listing as these within the operating for one of the best ever, permitting solely 12.4 factors per recreation and outscoring its playoff opposition 91-10. McMichael began 16 video games for the ’85 crew and suited up each week for an ’86 Bears protection that statistically outflanked its famed predecessor. Higher identified by some as a part of WCW’s 4 Horsemen faction throughout his second profession, “Mongo” completed his gridiron run with 95 sacks (three of them safeties), closing out his NFL stick with the Packers in 1994. McMichael’s 92.5 sacks with the Bears are second in franchise historical past.
Julius Peppers, defensive finish (2002-18)*
5 years after retiring, Peppers stays fourth on the NFL’s all-time sack listing. The previous Panthers, Bears and Packers go rusher completed a half-sack shy of Kevin Greene for third. Whereas Greene wanted to attend a bit earlier than enshrinement, voters will ship Peppers to Canton on his first strive. The previous North Carolina two-sport standout got here into the league with excessive expectations, going off the 2002 draft board second total. He justified these, remaining a productive go rusher into his late 30s. No lively sack artist is inside 35 of Peppers’ profession complete.
Peppers collected six All-Professional honors, three as a first-teamer, and did fairly effectively on the contract entrance. Peppers’ rookie contract spanned seven years (and $46M, earlier than the 2011 CBA launched the slot system), and the Panthers saved him off the market with a franchise tag forward of Yr 8. Throughout the uncapped 2010, Peppers landed a then-record-setting DE pact from the Bears (six years, $84M). He performed 4 years on that deal, and after the Bears made the 6-foot-6 rusher a cap casualty in 2014, Peppers made an influence for 3 playoff-bound Packers groups within the mid-2010s.
Whereas this may be thought of an enormous evening for the Bears — because of the enshrinements of three former gamers — Peppers performed eight years with the Panthers, returning dwelling to shut out his 17-year run. Fifteen years after he gained Defensive Rookie of the Yr honors in Charlotte, the North Carolina native re-signed together with his hometown crew. Peppers’ penultimate season introduced a tenth double-digit sack displaying; he totaled 11 at age 37 to assist the Panthers to their most up-to-date playoff berth.
Patrick Willis, linebacker (2007-14)
Willis didn’t overstay his welcome within the NFL, retiring after his age-29 season. The dominant inside linebacker didn’t lack for accolades in his eight-year profession, racking up six All-Professional honors — together with 5 first-team distinctions. The 49ers nabbed Willis within the 2007 first spherical and turned him unfastened. Though San Francisco didn’t kind the Jim Harbaugh–Vic Fangio pairing till Willis’ fifth season, he flashed regularly as a younger participant and was regarded by many because the NFL’s finest linebacker for an prolonged interval.
The Ole Miss alum picked up Defensive Rookie of the Yr acclaim and have become the uncommon participant to land that award whereas incomes first-team All-Professional honors. Willis tallied a career-high 174 tackles — together with a staggering 136 solo — as a rookie to offer a sign of his capabilities. Willis remained in his prime when Harbaugh and Fangio arrived. Whereas Harbaugh’s arrival elevated Alex Smith after which Colin Kaepernick, Willis’ presence represented a key a part of the 49ers’ blueprint that produced three straight NFC championship video games.
Willis teamed with NaVorro Bowman to kind one of many nice linebacking pairs in trendy NFL historical past. Seeing every soar to the first-team All-Professional perch, the 49ers went second-second-third on protection from 2011-13. After struggling a foot damage halfway via the 2014 season, Willis opted to name it quits.
* = denotes first yr of eligibility
** = denotes senior candidate
