Joe Thomas, Darrelle Revis and Dwight Freeney are finalists of their first 12 months of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2023.
The 15 modern-day gamers who will probably be thought-about later this month by the choice committee embody returning finalists Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Patrick Willis, and Andre Johnson. Six different returning finalists had been introduced Wednesday with Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Ronde Barber, Torry Holt and former Miami Hurricanes standouts Devin Hester and Reggie Wayne getting again to this stage. Defensive backs Albert Lewis and Darren Woodson made it to this stage for the primary time with Lewis having reached the semifinal stage in 2013 and Woodson getting there six instances.
A most of 5 modern-day gamers may be elected for enshrinement in August to the Canton, Ohio, corridor. The inductees will probably be introduced on Feb. 9 at NFL Honors, the prime-time TV program throughout which The Associated Press reveals its particular person award winners for the 2022 season.
This is the fourth time former Miami Dolphins standout Zach Thomas is a finalist.
In his illustrious 13-year profession, Thomas amassed 1,734 complete tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 compelled fumbles and 4 touchdowns. The solely linebacker who was extra spectacular than Thomas throughout his period was Ray Lewis, who was a first-ballot inductee.
A former fifth-round decide, Thomas acquired All-Pro honors seven instances (first or second crew), made seven Pro Bowls and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
In his years with the Dolphins, he anchored top-of-the-line defenses within the NFL, particularly from 2000 to 2003. During that span, Miami ranked third, eleventh, fourth and third in scoring protection.
Former Dolphins cross rusher Jason Taylor, who anchored that protection alongside Thomas, was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 2017.
Joe Thomas was one of many high tackles within the league over a sturdy 11-year profession that noticed him chosen first-team All-Pro six instances and second crew two different instances. He had a streak of 10,363 consecutive performs whereas enjoying for the Browns his total profession.
Revis, who additionally got here out within the 2007 draft, moved round far more, spending time with the Jets, Tampa Bay, New England and Kansas City.
His finest stretch got here in New York the place he was a first-team All-Pro from 2009-11 and completed second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2009 when he repeatedly shut down high receivers by sending them to “Revis Island.”
Revis spent one 12 months in New England, serving to the Patriots win the Super Bowl within the 2014 season.
Freeney spent most of his 16-year profession in Indianapolis, the place his velocity off the sting and dominant spin transfer led to 125 1/2 profession sacks. He anchored a protection that complemented a high-powered offense led by Peyton Manning and helped the Colts win the Super Bowl following the 2006 season.
Ware, a four-time All-Pro, led the Cowboys in sacks for eight seasons, led the NFL in sacks twice, and gained a Super Bowl with Denver following the 2015 season. He completed with 138 1/2 sacks and made the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Johnson twice made the All-Pro crew throughout a robust time for large receivers. He led the league in receptions and yards receiving twice. He completed his profession with 1,062 receptions for 14,185 yards and 70 receiving touchdowns.
Two of his contemporaries, Holt and Wayne, are also within the finals. Holt was chosen to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and gained a Super Bowl with the 1999 Rams. Wayne retired as NFL’s second all-time main receiver within the postseason with 93 catches and gained a Super Bowl with the Colts.
Zach Thomas and Willis had been among the many high linebackers of their time with every incomes All-Pro honors 5 instances.
Hester is the uncommon finalist who made his mark totally on particular groups. He opened the 2007 Super Bowl for Chicago with a 92-yard kickoff return for a landing, the one time in Super Bowl historical past that has occurred. An All-Pro thrice, Hester was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s and one among two return specialists on the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Anderson was thought-about one of many elite proper tackles within the recreation for 13 professional seasons with Cincinnati and Baltimore, making three All-Pro squads.
Allen was a four-time All-Pro who led the NFL in sacks twice (2007, 2011) whereas enjoying for the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers.
Barber was one of many league’s stingiest cowl cornerbacks throughout his 16 seasons in Tampa, the place he additionally performed some security. A key to the Tampa-2 defensive scheme, Barber was a three-time All-Pro and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2001 and gained a Super Bowl the subsequent season.
Woodson was a three-time All-Pro security who helped Dallas win three Super Bowl titles within the Nineties.
Lewis was a star cornerback for 16 seasons with Kansas City and the Raiders with two All-Pro nods and 42 profession interceptions.
The committee will even think about former Chargers and Cardinals coach Don Coryell within the teaching class and three senior candidates: Super Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley and All-Pro defenders Joe Klecko and Ken Riley.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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