The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class was revealed on Thursday night, with seven new players set to etch their names in the history of the sport.
The Chicago Bears were the big winners of the night, with three former Bears, defensive end Julius Peppers, kick and punt returner Devin Hester, and defensive tackle Steve McMichael gracing the class.
The remainder of the class consists of former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, and former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar.
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2024:
🏈Julius Peppers
🏈Devin Hester
🏈Dwight Freeney
🏈Andre Johnson
🏈Patrick Willis
🏈Steve McMichael
🏈Randy Gradishar— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2024
The finalists listed for this year’s class that did not ultimately receive the votes needed to get in consisted of Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Antonio Gates, Rodney Harrison, Torry Holt, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson, and Art Powell.
Naturally, many around the NFL world argued on social media about who the biggest snubs were in their eyes, particularly when it came to Gates and Woodson.
Devin Hester over Antonio Gates is a flat out joke. https://t.co/QuCZfeO9SV
— Ricky Henne (@RickyHenne) February 9, 2024
Sorry but a returner getting in over Torry Holt is insane https://t.co/Un4xcxVBLq
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) February 9, 2024
No Antonio Gates is a CRIME https://t.co/zTxCcofSps
— Neil Shelat (@NeilShelat6) February 9, 2024
Darren Woodson’s wait continues. https://t.co/Z28c808E1E
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) February 9, 2024
A very worthy class, but Darren Woodson is passed over again. https://t.co/1oKWRQYohX
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) February 9, 2024
Of those who did receive the HOF bid, it seems like the most pushback comes from Devin Hester getting in.
Hester was of course arguably the best return man in the history of the sport. However, he provided very little outside of that when it came to both offensive and defensive production.
Regardless, his entry into the Hall of Fame is a historic moment. He is the first return specialist ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. As far as special teams participants in the Hall, he joins kickers such as Morten Anderson and Jan Stenerud, and Ray Guy at the punter position.
