On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 15 finalists for the Class of 2024. Nine people were also finalists last year, and two players are in their first year of eligibility. In November, 25 semifinalists were named out of a group of 173 nominees.
As previously announced, there were three senior category finalists: Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael, and Art Powell, along with Coach/Contributor Finalist Buddy Parker.
An individual must receive a minimum of 80% of the vote for election when the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s full 50-person Selection Committee meets before Super Bowl LVIII. The Class of 2024 will be announced on Feb. 8 during the NFL Honors broadcast.
Finalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class
- Eric Allen, Cornerback (1988-2001)
- Jared Allen, Defensive End (2004-2015)
- Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle (1996-2008)
- Jahri Evans, Guard (2006-2017)
- Dwight Freeney, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker (2002-2017)
- Antonio Gates, Tight End (2003-2018)
- Rodney Harrison, Safety (1994-2008)
- Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver (2006-2016)
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver (1999-2009)
- Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver (2003-2016)
- Julius Peppers, Defensive End (2002-2016)
- Fred Taylor, Running Back (1998-2010)
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver (2001-2014)
- Patrick Willis, Linebacker (2007-2014)
- Darren Woodson, Safety (1992-2003)
Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers are the two players in their first year of eligibility, while Jahri Evans and Dwight Freeney are on the ballot for a second time. Five players have been eligible for 10 years or more: Torry Holt (10th), Willie Anderson (11th), Rodney Harrison (11th), Darren Woodson (16th), and Eric Allen (18th)
Reggie Wayne and Holt are finalists for the fifth time, and Jared Allen has reached this stage for the fourth time. Andre Johnson has been a finalist each of the three years that he was eligible. Wayne and Johnson were teammates at the University of Miami in 2000. Devin Hester also played at Miami from 2003 to 2005.
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Eric Allen is a finalist for the first time in his 18 years of eligibility. He was selected for six Pro Bowls and was named First-Team All-Pro once. Allen was a semifinalist for the last four years.
Woodson is a finalist for the second time in 16 years on the ballot. He made five Pro Bowls and was named First-Team All-Pro four times. Woodson has been a semifinalist eight times since 2015.
Players Missing the Cut
Ten semifinalists did not make the finalist list.
- Tiki Barber, Running Back
- Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver
- London Fletcher, Linebacker
- Eddie George, Running Back
- James Harrison, Linebacker
- Robert Mathis, Defensive End/Linebacker
- Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver
- Hines Ward, Wide Receiver
- Ricky Watters, Running Back
- Vince Wilfork, Defensive Tackle
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