LOOK: Pro Football Hall of Fame names 15 finalists for 2023
The Pro Football Hall of Fame named their 15 finalists for their 2023 class on Wednesday evening. It’s a loaded class, per usual, and there are plenty of talented names to choose from. Quite frankly, it’s going to be extremely difficult to narrow down the names from this incredibly talented list of finalists.
Former Miami superstar kick returner Devin Hester is one of the biggest names on the list. Another former Hurricane, former Indianapolis Colts’ great wide receiver Reggie Wayne was also selected as a finalist this year. Those two joined another Hurricanes’ legend, Andre Johnson, on the list. Former Los Angeles Rams’ legend Torry Holt was also selected.
Check out the impressive list below.
Former Virginia Cavaliers’ great Ronde Barber also made the list. He put up impressive numbers during his prolific career, racking up 1,234 tackles and 47 interceptions during his career with the Bucs from 1997-2012. His stats might fly under the radar nationally, but Barber is the only player in league history to rack up 45 interceptions and at least 25 sacks. Not only that, but he also became the only player in league history to start 200 consecutive games at the cornerback position.
Another gifted corner also landed on the list, Darrelle Revis. He established himself as one of the best corners in the history of the game during his time with the New York Jets. Revis was a seven-time Pro Bowler during his prolific career and is in the Jets’ Ring of Honor.
Former Cowboys’ safety Darren Woodson was also named a finalist this year. Once he hung up his cleats, Woodson was named as a member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. During his legendary career, he punched his ticket to five Pro Bowls during his time with the Cowboys and won three Super Bowls with the franchise.
Former Ole Miss great Patrick Willis was also named as a finalist and deservedly so. While he had his pro career cut short by injuries, Willis still established himself as one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the game, at every level of football he played on. During his time with the San Francisco 49ers (2007-2014), Willis earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in the 2007 season. He led the National Football League in tackles in 2007 and 2009. Willis was named to the Pro Bowl seven times during his prolific career. The freakish linebacker racked up over 100 tackles six times, including a league-leading 174 tackles during his rookie season.
Former Wisconsin Badger Joe Thomas was devastatingly dominant during his time with the Cleveland Browns. He was named to the Pro Bowl ten times during his highly decorated career (2007-2017). Thomas played 10,363 consecutive snaps for the Cleveland Browns, the longest streak since snap counts began being recorded in 1999. That’s one of the most impressive accomplishments of his remarkable career.
There are few words that can do justice to describe what it was like to watch Devin Hester on a football field. Blessed with a jaw-dropping combination of speed, acceleration, and cutting ability, Hester established himself as the greatest special teams’ return man in the history of the game. He owns a near endless number of special teams’ records from his time in the National Football League.
From 2006-2016, he wrapped up his career with the NFL record for the most combined special teams’ touchdowns in a career (14 punt returns, five kick returns, one missed field goal). Few, if any, will ever be able to do it quite like he could during his time with the Chicago Bears, the franchise that he spent the majority of his years with.