Tag: Hall of Fame

Texas Tech alum and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attends a press conference at Jones AT&T Stadium, Friday, August 23, 2024.

Patrick Mahomes enters high school HOF, partners with Texas schools

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes was among nine people enshrined in the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame on Saturday — and he left a piece of himself in his home state.

Mahomes played at Whitehouse High School, near Tyler, Texas, and went on to Texas Tech before the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Mahomes announced on Instagram after the ceremony that he and his sponsor, Adidas, will be partnering with 15 high schools, including his alma mater.

“Whitehouse, Texas is where it all began,” Mahomes said. “It’s an honor to be inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.”

He continued:

“As a part of this recognition, I’m proud to announce that @adidasfballus and I are signing 15 high schools to Team Mahomes that will represent my Gladiator logo on uniform, starting with Whitehouse High School. This is just the beginning.”

Mahomes played football, basketball and baseball at Whitehouse, graduating in 2014. As a senior, he passed for 4,619 yards and 50 touchdowns, and he also ran for 948 yards and 15 scores.

Last summer, Texas Tech signed on to the Gladiator team, becoming the first program to have the logo featured on official collegiate apparel.

Other benefits available to the high school team under the partnership were not announced.

Also enshrined Saturday was Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. He played at Copperas Cove High School, near Waco, Texas, before enrolling at Baylor in 2008.

–Field Level Media

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs onto the field at MetLife Stadium for warmups. The New York Jets host the New England Patriots in NFL Week 7 on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in East Rutherford. Nyj Vs Ne Week 7

Fans vote WR Julian Edelman into Pats’ Hall of Fame

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New England fans have voted former wide receiver Julian Edelman into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Edelman, 38, won three Super Bowls and spent his entire NFL career with the Patriots (2009-16, 2018-20).

Drafted in the seventh round out of Kent State in 2009, he converted from college quarterback to receiver and retired with 620 catches for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns in 137 games (85 starts).

Edelman ranks second in Patriots history in receptions behind Wes Welker (672). He is fourth in receiving yards and ninth in touchdown catches.

“Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history,” owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “There aren’t many players who earn an NFL roster spot at a position they have never played before. Julian not only did that as a seventh-round draft selection, but he finished his career with the second-most receptions in franchise history (620) and as a three-time Super Bowl champion, including his last as Super Bowl MVP.

“No one was more committed to his craft and honing his skills than Jules. His explosiveness off the line, quickness in his cuts and elusiveness after the catch made him one of the hardest players to defend. His clutch catches in our biggest games and overall toughness made him a fan favorite.”

Edelman also rushed 58 times for 413 yards and completed 6 of 6 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown.

Edelman was named the MVP of Super Bowl LIII after catching 10 passes for 141 yards in a 13-3 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

This was Edelman’s first year of eligibility for the team’s Hall of Fame, which requires a player to be retired for at least four seasons.

Edelman was a finalist for the 2025 induction class along with kicker Adam Vinatieri and offensive lineman Logan Mankins.

–Field Level Media

ORG XMIT: Patriots head coach Bill Parcells confers on the sideline with quarterback Drew Bledsoe during the game. Pats vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1/12/97. Journal photo by Glenn Osmundson. Old Pats 2

Bill Parcells selected to Patriots Hall of Fame

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Former New England head coach Bill Parcells will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame as a contributor.

Franchise owner Robert Kraft made the announcement Tuesday in a news release.

Parcellls guided the Patriots to a 32-32 regular-season record from 1993-96. While the .500 mark pales by comparison to what was to come for the franchise under Bill Belichick, it marked a turning point for New England, which was 14-50 in the four seasons before his arrival.

“In the early 1990s, the Patriots were in disarray,” Kraft said. “But the hiring of Bill Parcells in 1993, a two-time Super Bowl champion, brought instant credibility to the franchise. We had never had a head coach with his credentials. He was a master motivator and always got the most out of his players. In my first season as owner, he led us on that unforgettable seven-game win streak to qualify for the playoffs.

“Two years later, he accomplished something Patriots fans had never seen before, leading us to our first two home playoff wins in franchise history, and another trip to the Super Bowl. Those are memories I will never forget and achievements worthy of this honor. As a five-time finalist for our Hall of Fame, I am sure he would have been voted in eventually, but I wanted to expedite the process so he can enjoy the ceremony. I look forward to welcoming Bill back to Foxborough and celebrating his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame.”

The Patriots’ honor comes 12 years after Parcells, now 83, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is the only coach in NFL history to lead four different teams to the playoffs and three different teams to a conference championship game.

Parcells had a career 172-130-1 record with the New York Giants (1983-90 with two Super Bowl wins), Patriots, New York Jets (1997-99) and Dallas Cowboys (2003-06).

–Field Level Media

Aug 4, 2023; Canton, OH, USA; A general overall view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Waiting for Gold: Class of ’25 finalists anxious to hear Hall of Fame fate

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Fifteen former players will take a deep breath and hope to hear their name called when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announces its newest slate of modern-era selections on Thursday night ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee can elect up to five players from the 15-member list. The announcement will air during the NFL Honors broadcast starting at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday on Fox and the NFL Network.

The group includes six first-time nominees: Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr., Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda. Nine other nominees return as finalists, with Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne experiencing the longest waits as they enter their sixth cycle hoping to be selected.

Manning said he was trying to keep this week in perspective as he waits to hear whether he is a first-ballot selection into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
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“It’s one of those things, you can’t control it,” Manning said to NFL Network. “So why worry about it? You’ll know one way or the other.

“It’s not that I’m not going to lose sleep over this. … (But) I’m going to enjoy being in New Orleans no matter what.”

Vinatieri also spoke about his nerves heading into the selection. He is hoping to become the third primary kicker to reach the Hall of Fame, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.

“Holding my breath, obviously, but there’s no guarantee at this level,” Vinatieri said to radio station WEEI in Boston. “Everybody that’s in the top 15 is definitely worthy, and probably rightfully so. We’ll see. I don’t know what the expectation should be, but I’m very optimistic.”

Five defensive players are among the 15 finalists: ends Jared Allen and Suggs, linebacker Kuechly, cornerback Eric Allen and safety Darren Woodson. A trio of offensive linemen — Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans and Yanda — also are on the list.

Running back Fred Taylor, wideouts Smith Sr., Holt and Wayne, and tight end Antonio Gates also are on the doorstep of hearing their name called.

In addition to the 15 modern-era finalists, the selection committee reviews three senior finalists, one coach and one contributor. The committee can select up to eight people from all of the groups of finalists.

The senior finalists are Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer. Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren and contributor Ralph Hay also are candidates.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony is expected to take place during the first week of August in Canton. The ceremony will be part of an Enshrinement Week that also is set to include the annual preseason Hall of Fame Game and the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner.

Modern-era finalists:

CB Eric Allen (two-time finalist); 14 seasons: 1988-94 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
The six-time Pro Bowl player from Arizona State finished with 54 career interceptions, which ranks No. 21 all time. He returned eight interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for eighth in NFL history.

DE Jared Allen (five-time finalist); 12 seasons: 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
A fourth-round draft pick from Idaho State, the four-time All-Pro had 136 sacks. Every player ahead of him on the all-time sack list, other than fellow first-time finalist Terrell Suggs, is in the Hall of Fame

OT Willie Anderson (four-time finalist); 13 seasons: 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
The 6-foot-5, 340-pound Anderson started 184 of 195 career games and was named to four Pro Bowls in a row from the 2003-06 seasons. He blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers in his career, and he helped pave the way for Corey Dillon to set single-game records for rushing yards by a rookie (246) and rushing yards by any player (278). Each record stood for nearly three years, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

G Jahri Evans (two-time finalist); 12 seasons: 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Evans greatly overachieved as a fourth-round pick (No. 108 overall) out of Division II Bloomsburg (Pa.) University. He started each of the 183 games in which he played, and he was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls from the 2009-14 seasons. He was part of a Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV, and he was named to the Saints Hall of Fame in 2021.

TE Antonio Gates (two-time finalist); 16 seasons: 2003-18 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Gates entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after playing basketball at Kent State. He went on to become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection caught 116 touchdown passes, which ranks No. 1 all time among tight ends and No. 7 all time among all receivers. He had 21 career multi-touchdown games, which also is the most by any tight end. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

WR Torry Holt (six-time finalist); 11 seasons: 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Holt was a key member of the “Greatest Show on Turf” teams in St. Louis that included Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Ricky Proehl and others. To cap his rookie season, he had seven catches for a 109 yards and a touchdown to help the Rams beat the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 2000 and 2003, and he had 80-plus catches in eight consecutive seasons. Holt was named to seven Pro Bowls.

LB Luke Kuechly (first-time eligible, finalist); 8 seasons: 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
As the No. 9 overall pick out of Boston College in 2012, Kuechly immediately took over as the heart of the Panthers’ defense. He twice led the NFL in tackles, including in his rookie season. He topped 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons, and he also notched 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits in his career. He won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the NFL in 2014, 2015 and 2017 and a five-time All-Pro before retiring at age 28 after suffering multiple concussions in his career.

QB Eli Manning (first-time eligible, finalist); 16 seasons: 2004-2019 New York Giants
Peyton’s little brother was the No. 1 pick in 2004 by the Chargers and was traded to the New York Giants, where he spent 16 seasons, started 210 consecutive games (of 236), won two Lombardi trophies and was two-time Super Bowl MVP.

WR Steve Smith Sr. (first-time finalist); 16 seasons: 2001-13 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
The Panthers selected Smith in the third round (No. 74) out of Utah in 2001, and he quickly emerged as a top-tier talent. He was the only rookie to make the Pro Bowl that season, which was the first of five Pro Bowls that he would reach. He finished his career with 1,031 catches for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns. He also scored six touchdowns on special teams (four punt returns, two kick returns).

OLB Terrell Suggs (first-time eligible, finalist); 17 seasons: 2003-18 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Suggs was one of the most dominant players on one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL for more than a decade. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection racked up double-digit sacks in seven seasons and finished his career with 139 sacks. He was named as the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003, and he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

RB Fred Taylor (two-time finalist); 13 seasons: 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-10 New England Patriots
The former Florida Gator was the Jaguars’ first-round pick (No. 9 overall) in 1998, and he scored 17 touchdowns from scrimmage as a rookie to set a franchise record that still stands. He topped 1,000 rushing yards seven times in his career, including his best season in 2003 when he rushed for 1,572 yards. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his career and finished with 74 touchdowns (66 rushing, eight receiving).

K Adam Vinatieri (first-time eligible, finalist); 24 seasons: 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-19 Indianapolis Colts
Vinatieri earned four Super Bowl rings — three with the Patriots and one with the Colts. He is the career points leader for both franchises, with 1,158 career points for New England and 1,515 career points for Indianapolis. He also is the NFL’s all-time leader in points (2,673), field goals (599) and 100-point seasons (21). He was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team and the league’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

WR Reggie Wayne (six-time finalist); 14 seasons: 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts
Wayne stood out during both the regular season and the playoffs during his long career, which included 12 trips to the postseason. He topped 1,000 receiving yards eight times, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl six times in a seven-year period. He also won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and he caught 93 passes in the postseason, which ranked second all-time when he retired. He finished his career with 1,070 catches for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns.

S Darren Woodson (three-time finalist); 12 seasons: 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Woodson was a key defender on three Super Bowl-winning teams in Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX). He was named to five Pro Bowls and he finished his career as the Cowboys’ all-time leader with 1,350 tackles. He had 26 interceptions including the postseason, and he returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns. He was named to the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2015.

G/OT Marshal Yanda (first-time eligible, finalist); 13 seasons: 2007-19 Baltimore Ravens
Yanda earned eight Pro Bowl selections and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers. He started 166 of 177 career games. After an injury cut short his season in 2017, he returned to finish his career with back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns in 2018-19. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is one of 167 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch, lead 2025 Hall of Fame nominees

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Giants quarterback Eli Manning and few other familiar Super Bowl performers are among 167 modern-day nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Running back Marshawn Lynch, kicker Adam Vinatieri, defensive end Terrell Suggs and late wide receiver Demaryius Thomas are among first-year nominees with Lombardi Trophy resumes. That list also includes offensive tackle Joe Staley, safety Earl Thomas, center Ryan Kalil and tight end Vernon Davis.

In an evolved process, the 2025 selection protocol changed to include a committee assigned to “screen” the larger list of modern-day candidates to 50 finalists over the next month. From there, the 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee trims the list to 25 semifinalists and a second vote narrows the pool to 15 finalists. The committee debates the merits of the finalists and selects the new class to be introduced one day prior to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in February.

Players are required to be five full seasons from their last game to be eligible for nomination, meaning anyone who last played during the 2019 season is eligible for the first time in the 2025 class.

Multiple finalists from the 2024 Hall of Fame class are nominated again, including wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt, pass rusher Jared Allen, offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, running back Fred Taylor and defensive backs Eric Allen and Darren Woodson.

Manning is one of 10 quarterbacks nominated for the 2025 class. Late Titans quarterback Steve McNair, former Eagles and Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham and Tony Romo (Cowboys) are repeat nominees.

A two-time Super Bowl winner and the No. 1 pick in 2004, Manning played 16 seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. He was MVP of both Super Bowl wins and he played 236 regular-season games (234 starts) with the Giants, who acquired the Ole Miss product in a draft-day trade — from the Chargers for No. 4 pick Philip Rivers. Manning beat the Patriots in Super Bowls XLII — New England was 18-0 — and XLVI with fourth-quarter drives to take the lead. Manning is one of 21 quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl without losing one.

Older brother Peyton Manning was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. Former Eli Manning teammate Tiki Barber is a 2025 nominee also bidding to join his brother in Canton. Barber was a running back with the Giants and is the twin of longtime Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, who was a member of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class.

The running back nominees include Shaun Alexander (Seahawks), Jamal Lewis (Ravens), Clinton Portis (Washington, Broncos), Corey Dillon (Bengals, Patriots) and Thomas Jones (Jets, Bears). Adrian Peterson, who retired in 2021, and Frank Gore, are not yet eligible. Gore is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 16,000 yards in a career that spanned five teams from 2005-2020 and Peterson is No. 5 on the list (14,918).

Lynch was known as “Beast Mode” for his powerful running style. He retired for the first time in 2015 due to injuries, then returned to play for his then-hometown Oakland Raiders in 2017. After another retirement, Lynch returned to join the Seattle Seahawks for the last game of the regular season and playoffs. A first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2007, he joined the Seahawks in 2010. He had 10,413 rushing yards and 94 touchdowns and played a starring role with the Seahawks in two Super Bowls. Lynch was a member of Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning team (XLVIII) in his fourth season with the team.

Barber is narrowly ahead of Lynch on the NFL’s all-time rushing list — with 10,449 yards — and one of 31 backs with more than 10,000 career rushing yards. Sixteen are in the Hall of Fame. Former McNair teammate and longtime Titans running back Eddie George is between Barber and Lynch on the NFL’s all-time rushing list and one of 31 running backs nominated.

Vinatieri played 24 seasons in the NFL with the Patriots and Colts. Undrafted in 1996, Vinatieri would become synonymous with playoff success on Bill Belichick-coached teams, winning four Super Bowl (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI). He signed with Indianapolis following the 2005 season to help Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and quarterback Peyton Manning win the Super Bowl with the Colts in February 2007.

A number of other players tied to the Patriots dynasty are nominees, including Vince Wilfork, Mike Vrabel, Logan Mankins, Willie McGinest and 2024 finalist Rodney Harrison.

Vinatieri retired in 2019 after 24 seasons as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and holding league records for field goals made (599), postseason points (238) and field goals made in overtime (12).

Previous Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt and Vinatieri special teams teammate in Indianapolis, punter Pat McAfee, are 2025 nominees.

A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas was Peyton Manning’s lead receiver when the Broncos claimed Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers in 2016. Thomas caught 63 touchdowns in his career and totaled 9,763 receiving yards in his career which included part of the 2018 season with the Houston Texans and short stints with the Patriots and Jets in 2019. He died at age 33 in 2021.

2025 MODERN-DAY NOMINEES
* – 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist

QUARTERBACKS (10): Marc Bulger, Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Doug Flutie, Rich Gannon, Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Steve McNair, Tony Romo

RUNNING BACKS (31): Shaun Alexander, Terry Allen, Jamal Anderson, Tiki Barber, Larry Centers (FB), Jamaal Charles, Stephen Davis, Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn, Charlie Garner, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Thomas Jones, John Kuhn (FB), Vonta Leach, Dorsey Levens, Jamal Lewis, Marshawn Lynch, Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), Glyn Milburn (also WR), Lorenzo Neal (FB), Clinton Portis, Tony Richardson (FB), Robert Smith, Darren Sproles (also PR/KR), Fred Taylor*, Chris Warren, Ricky Watters, Ricky Williams

WIDE RECEIVERS (21): Anquan Boldin, Donald Driver, Antonio Freeman, Irving Fryar, Torry Holt*, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Derrick Mason, Herman Moore, Muhsin Muhammad, Jordy Nelson, Andre Rison, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Demaryius Thomas, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne*, Wes Welker, Roddy White

TIGHT ENDS (6): Ben Coates, Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, Jeremy Shockey, *Delanie Walker, Wesley Walls

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (26): Willie Anderson* (T), Bruce Armstrong (T/G), Matt Birk (C), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans* (G), Travis Frederick (C), Jordan Gross (T), Ryan Kalil (C), Lincoln Kennedy (T), Olin Kreutz (C), T.J. Lang (G/T), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Tom Nalen (C), Jeff Saturday (C), Mark Schlereth (G/C), Josh Sitton (G), Chris Snee (G), Joe Staley (T), Dave Szott (G), Brian Waters (G), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (18): John Abraham (DE also LB), Jared Allen* (DE), La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Casey Hampton (DT/NT), Robert Mathis (DE), Chester McGlockton (DT), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Clyde Simmons (DE/DT), Justin Smith (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Henry Thomas (DT/NT), Justin Tuck (DE), Ted Washington (NT/DT), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Jamal Williams (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT), Pat Williams (DT)

LINEBACKERS (20): Jessie Armstead, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Cornelius Bennett, Lance Briggs, Keith Brooking, NaVorro Bowman, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, James Farrior, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Willie McGinest (also DE), Ken Norton Jr., Julian Peterson, Bill Romanowski, Takeo Spikes, Terrell Suggs, Mike Vrabel, Lee Woodall

DEFENSIVE BACKS (18): Eric Allen* (CB), Eric Berry (DB), Antoine Bethea (S), Dré Bly (DB), Kam Chancellor (S), Nick Collins (DB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), DeAngelo Hall (DB), Rodney Harrison* (S), Eugene Robinson (DB), Samari Rolle (DB), Allen Rossum (DB), Bob Sanders (S), Aqib Talib (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson* (S)

PUNTERS/KICKERS (15): David Akers (K), Gary Anderson (K), Darren Bennett (P), Jason Elam (K), Jeff Feagles (P), Jason Hanson (K), John Kasay (K), Sean Landeta (P), Shane Lechler (P), Pat McAfee (P), Brian Moorman (P), Matt Stover (K), Matt Turk (P), Mike Vanderjagt (K), Adam Vinatieri (K)

SPECIAL TEAMS (2): Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB)

–Field Level Media

Bill Belichick smiles during questions at a press conference.

HOF reduces waiting period for coaches to 1 year

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced a series of changes to its annual selection process on Friday, including the reduction of the waiting period for coaches from five seasons to one.

That means six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots could receive his bronze bust and gold jacket in Canton, Ohio, as soon as 2026.

The selection process for the Class of 2025 is already underway, presumably indicating Belichick won’t be eligible for next summer’s induction, according to Pro Football Talk and other reports.

Under the new rules, one coach will be named a finalist for each Hall of Fame class. Belichick, 72, would seem to be a shoo-in for the 2026 slot, unless he takes another coaching job. Under the old rules, he would not have been eligible until the Class of 2029.

If Belichick does land another gig, longtime Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll could be the next in line. Carroll, also 72, led the Seahawks from 2010-23 and captured the franchise’s only title at Super Bowl XLVIII.

Other revisions to the bylaws announced Friday included the separation of the coach and contributor categories and creating two new screening committees (one for modern-era players and one for seniors) to help trim the lists of nominees down to 50 candidates each before they go to the official selection committee.

“The first pillar of the Mission statement at the Pro Football Hall of Fame states we will ‘Honor the Greatest of the Game.’ One important way to do that is through an annual review of the Selection Process and the people involved in it,” Hall of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter said.

“Forming two Screening Committees will bring added discussion of candidates, with input from more Hall of Famers,” he said. “And splitting the Coach and Contributor categories allows for a Finalist from each one. What’s most important is continuing to elect great classes of enshrinees, and these moves help ensure that desired outcome.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Carolina Panthers great Julius Peppers is honored on the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Former Bears Devin Hester, Julius Peppers part of seven-member Class of 2024

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A trio of former Chicago Bears players were among seven players to be selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the NFL announced Thursday night.

Devin Hester, Julius Peppers and Steve McMichael each will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, this summer. They will join four others: longtime Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, Houston Texans wideout Andre Johnson, Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

McMichael and Gradishar were senior selections, while the other five were part of the modern class.

The Hall of Fame is filled almost entirely with offensive and defensive stars, but Hester got the nod for his achievements on special teams. He holds the NFL record with 20 overall return touchdowns, as well as the league record with 14 punt return TDs.

Hester’s highlights included returning the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI for a touchdown against Indianapolis. He also caught 255 passes for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns during his career.

“Devin revolutionized the game,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said. “No one had seen anything like him, and there hasn’t been anyone like him since. He had opposing head coaches telling their special teams coordinators, ‘Don’t kick to that guy,’ and they suffered the consequences when the message didn’t get through. We’re delighted that the Hall has recognized Devin’s special talents.”

Johnson also stood apart with his ability to find the end zone. The Texans’ first-round pick in 2003 finished his career with 1,062 catches and 70 touchdowns, and he finished with seven 1,000-yard seasons during his 14-year career.

On the defensive side, Freeney earned the call to Canton in his second year of eligibility. He led the NFL with 16 sacks in 2004 and finished his career with 125 1/2 sacks in 218 games.

Willis’ wait ended after five years of eligibility. Although his career was shortened because of injuries, he finished with seven Pro Bowl selections in eight years with the 49ers.

Peppers burst onto the scene with the Carolina Panthers in 2002, finishing his rookie season with 12 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception in 12 games. The defensive end went on to star for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers before returning to Carolina to finish his career. He is the only player in NFL history to rack up at least 150 sacks and 10 interceptions.

McMichael, affectionately known as “Mongo” by Bears fans, was a key part of Chicago’s 1985 Super Bowl championship team. The defensive lineman finished his career with 95 sacks and 13 forced fumbles and gained notoriety for his fearless playing style. The honor was bittersweet as McMichael is battling ALS and was unable to attend the announcement in Las Vegas.

Gradishar was named to seven Pro Bowls during his 10-year career with the Broncos. He was voted the NFL’s defensive player of the year in 1978, and he finished with 20 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries and four defensive touchdowns to go along with 19 1/2 sacks and more than 2,000 tackles.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Panther defensive end Julius Peppers awaits his induction into the Panthers Ring of Honor during the first quarter between the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Julius Peppers, Antonio Gates headline Hall of Fame finalists

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Defensive end Julius Peppers and tight end Antonio Gates — among the most prolific players at their respective positions — highlight the list of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Modern Era Class of 2024, released Wednesday.

Peppers and Gates are the only players to make the list in their first year of eligibility. Nine players who made the final list in 2023 are back on the list in ’24, while four other players are finalists for the first time though not in their first year of eligibility.

Peppers, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro, finished his 17-year career with 159.5 sacks, fifth all time and the most by any player not yet in the Hall. Taken second overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2002 draft, Peppers was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after compiling 12 sacks to go with one interception and five forced fumbles in 12 games.

After 10 seasons with the Panthers, Peppers played four years with the Chicago Bears and then finished his career by playing three seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

On the other end of the draft spectrum, Gates went undrafted after not playing football in college. Instead, he starred in basketball in his final two years at Kent State.

Combining his height (6-foot-4) with his rebounding skills, Gates first made a name for himself in the NFL as a jump-ball specialist in the end zone. He really broke through in his second season, scoring 13 touchdowns — then a single-season record for tight ends. He finished his career with 116 career TDs, seventh all time and the most ever by a tight end.

Gates made eight Pro Bowls and was a three-time first-team All-Pro in his 16 seasons. He finished with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards, spending his entire career with the Chargers (14 in San Diego and the final two in Los Angeles).

The four other players making the list for the first time are cornerback Eric Allen (in his 18th year of eligibility), safety Rodney Harrison (11th year), running back Fred Taylor (ninth) and offensive lineman Jahri Evans (second).

Punt/kick return specialist Devin Hester, who holds the single-season record for total kick-return touchdowns (six) and the career mark for punts returned for a score (14) is among those back on the list from 2023. Hester, who also made history with the first opening kickoff returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history (Super Bowl XLI), is a finalist for the third time.

Wide receivers Reggie Wayne (whose Indianapolis Colts beat Hester’s Chicago Bears in that Super Bowl) and Torry Holt (a member of the St. Louis Rams’ famed “Greatest Show on Turf”) are both finalists for the fifth time, the most of any of this year’s finalists.

The Hall of Fame selection committee will elect the Modern Era Class of 2024 the week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, with the class announced on Feb. 8.

Up to five members can be elected to the modern class (a minimum of 80 percent of the votes is required for possible election). Finalists from the Seniors and Coach/Contributor categories may also be elected.

Modern Era Class of 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

(Name, position, years, teams)

Eric Allen, cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders

Jared Allen, defensive end — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers

Willie Anderson, offensive tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens

Jahri Evans, guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers

Dwight Freeney, defensive end/outside linebacker — 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions

Antonio Gates, tight end — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers

Rodney Harrison, safety — 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots

Devin Hester, punt returner/kick returner/wide receiver — 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens

Torry Holt, wide receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

Andre Johnson, wide receiver — 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans

Julius Peppers, defensive end — 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-16 Green Bay Packers

Fred Taylor, running back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots

Reggie Wayne, wide receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

Patrick Willis, linebacker — 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers

Darren Woodson, safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Carolina Panthers great Julius Peppers is honored on the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Julius Peppers, Antonio Gates among 25 Hall of Fame semifinalists

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates are among 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Peppers, a prolific pass rusher for the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, and Gates, a tight end for the San Diego Chargers, joined 18 players who were semifinalists for the Class of 2023.

Eight of the final 15 in the ’23 class are again semifinalists, including Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.

Peppers had 159.5 career sacks and 10 seasons with double-digit sacks. Like Gates, Peppers was a three-time All-Pro. Gates helped redefine his position and was an All-Pro in just his second season. He played a total of 16 seasons and is behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten among tight ends in NFL history with 955 catches for 11,841 yards. Gates’ 116 touchdown receptions set the NFL record for tight ends.

Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who retired following the 2006 season, joins Peppers and Gates as first-time semifinalists.

The 25 semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists before the final voting process for the Class of 2024 takes place in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in February.

Also under consideration in February are the recommended nominees of the Hall of Fame’s Coach/Contributor Committee: Buddy Parker; and its Seniors Committee: Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell.

–25 modern-day semifinalists
The following is the list of 2024 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists, including their positions, years in the NFL and teams.

Also listed are the number of times and years the candidate has been named a Semifinalist since this reduction vote was added to the Hall’s bylaws in 2004.

Eric Allen, CB, 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Jared Allen, DE, 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Willie Anderson, T, 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Tiki Barber, RB, 1997-2006 New York Giants | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
Anquan Boldin, WR, 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Jahri Evans, G, 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
London Fletcher, LB, 1998-2001 St. Louis Rams, 2002-06 Buffalo Bills, 2007-13 Washington Redskins | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
Dwight Freeney, DE, 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
Antonio Gates, TE, 2003-18 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
Eddie George, RB, 1996-2003 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2022, 2024)
James Harrison, LB, 2002-12, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
Rodney Harrison, S, 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2021, 2023-24)
Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR, 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Torry Holt, WR, 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 – 2015-2024)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2003-14 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Robert Mathis, DE/LB, 2003-16 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Julius Peppers, DE, 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
Steve Smith Sr., WR, 2001-13 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Fred Taylor, RB, 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-10 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Hines Ward, WR, 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2017-2024)
Ricky Watters, RB, 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2020, 2022-24)
Reggie Wayne, WR, 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Vince Wilfork, DT, 2004-14 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Patrick Willis, LB, 2007-14 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Darren Woodson, S, 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2024)

–Field Level Media

Aug 4, 2023; Canton, OH, USA; A general overall view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Fame nominees include Julius Peppers, Antonio Gates

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nine first-time eligible players, including former All-Pros Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers, are among the 173 modern-era nominees announced Tuesday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Other first-time nominees for the Class of 2024 are wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, running back Jamaal Charles, offensive linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton and Max Unger, and defensive lineman Haloti Ngata.

Gates, a tight end, and Peppers, a defensive end, were considered among the best at their positions earlier in the 2000s. Both three-time All-Pro selections, Peppers and Gates were named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s team. Peppers also got the nod on the All-2010s team.

The list of modern-era nominees is made up of 94 offensive players, 62 defensive players and 17 special teams players. The 173 nominees will be pared to 25 semifinalists in November and eventually further whittled before the 50-member Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee votes on the Class of 2024 before Super Bowl LVIII.

The committee also will consider seniors finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, and Buddy Parker from the coach/contributor category. Parker coached three NFL teams from 1949-63.

Finalists from the 2023 class nominated again for 2024 are Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.

To be elected to the Hall of Fame, a nominee must be named on 80 percent of ballots.

–Field Level Media