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The NFL adds new members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame every year. The 2024 inductees were announced on Thursday night.
A player or coach must wait five years after their retirement before they can be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Let’s look at the seven individuals who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and their career accomplishments.
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Julius Peppers
While few players make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year eligible, Peppers was a near lock to join that esteemed class. The pass rusher spent most of his career with the Carolina Panthers, totaling 97 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, six interceptions, and three touchdowns in his 10 years with the team. Peppers spent the first eight years of his career in Carolina before stops with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. The superstar spent the final two years of his career with the franchise.
Peppers had success everywhere he played. The pass rusher had at least 25 sacks with every team he played for. He played for the Bears from 2010 through 2012, totaling at least eight sacks every year. Peppers then joined the NFC North division rival Packers in 2014, totaling seven or more sacks every year with the team, including 10.5 in 2015. He is the only player in NFL history with over 100 sacks and 10 career interceptions.
Dwight Freeney
Many questioned Freeney’s ability to last in the NFL because of his smaller size. However, Freeney is one of the top pass rushers in NFL history. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL first-team All-Pro selection. Freeney made an impact early in his NFL career, leading the league in forced fumbles (nine) and tackles for a loss (20) as a rookie. Yet, he didn’t win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, finishing second to Julius Peppers.
Freeney was a sack machine to start his career. The pass rusher had 11 or more sacks in four consecutive years to begin his career, including an NFL-high 16 in 2004. The Hall of Famer spent 11 of his 16 years with the Indianapolis Colts, recording over 107 sacks in 163 games. Freeney bounced around the league over his final five years in the NFL, playing for the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks, totaling 18 sacks.
Devin Hester
The former Miami star cornerback was a second-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2006 NFL Draft. Hester didn’t have an outstanding career as a cornerback or wide receiver. However, he might be the best return specialist in NFL history. Hester was electric and dangerous in the open field. He had six touchdowns as a rookie, scoring three on kick returns, two on punt returns, and one on a missed field goal.
While some will argue that Hester doesn’t belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, his role as a return specialist couldn’t have gone unnoticed. The explosive returner led the NFL in punt return touchdowns three times during his NFL career, including his first two seasons. He also led the league in punt return yards and kick return yards four times during his career. Hester spent most of his career with the Bears but also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks.
Andre Johnson
Some believe Johnson should have waited longer to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as there are several other worthy wide receivers still waiting to get in. However, Johnson is the first-ever Houston Texan to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The superstar wide receiver was the second-ever first-round draft pick by the Texans. He spent 12 of his 14 NFL seasons with Houston, totaling 1,012 receptions on 1,640 targets for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns in 169 games.
Johnson’s best years were with the Texans. He had over 100 receptions in five of his 12 years in Houston, including two of his final three. The Hall of Famer led the NFL in receptions twice (2006 and 2008) and receiving yards twice (2008 and 2009). Unfortunately, Johnson’s career ended in disappointment. His final two years in the league were with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, totaling only 50 receptions for 688 yards and six touchdowns in 24 career games.
Patrick Willis
There was an argument to keep Willis out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The superstar linebacker only played seven years in the NFL, far fewer than most Hall of Fame players. However, he was arguably the best linebacker in the league during his eight seasons. Willis made the Pro Bowl all but one year in the league and was an All-Pro pick five times. He was also part of the 2010s Hall of Fame team despite only playing four years in that decade.
The superstar linebacker was the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2007, totaling 174 tackles, including 136 solo. Willis led the NFL in tackles in two of his first three years in the league, including his rookie season. He had double-digit tackles for a loss twice in his career, including his final healthy year. Furthermore, Willis earned the highest grade ever by a linebacker in PFF history.
Steve McMichael
McMichael is one of two senior members in the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He was a third-round pick by the New England Patriots during the 1980 NFL Draft out of Texas University. However, the former Longhorn only played one year with the Patriots, totaling five tackles in six games. McMichael spent most of his career with the Chicago Bears, playing for the franchise from 1981 through 1993, making three All-Pro First-Team appearances.
The Hall of Famer was a sack machine for the Bears. He had 92.5 of his 95 career sacks in 13 years in Chicago, totaling 10 or more in three seasons, including his second to last with the franchise. The defensive lineman forced 12 fumbles and had 16 recoveries during his time with the Bears. McMichael spent his final NFL season with the Green Bay Packers in 1994, totaling 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 16 games.
Randy Gradishar
Gradishar is the final member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. He was part of the Denver Broncos’ Orange Crush defense of the 1970s. The linebacker was a first-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 1974 NFL Draft. Gradishar spent his entire 10-year career with the Broncos, totaling 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries in 145 games with the franchise.
He never missed a game in his NFL career, playing as a full-time starter over the final nine years in the league. The Hall of Fame linebacker ended his career with over 2,049 tackles. Gradishar made seven career Pro Bowl teams, including six of the final seven seasons. The video of Gradishar being told that he made the Hall of Fame will make you smile.
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