Every NFL season begins with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, which signals that regular season football is just around the corner. But, before week one kicks off, the game’s arrival also means the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony will enshrine its latest inductees.
The 2024 class features seven members, bringing the total number of Hall of Famers to just 378, out of the tens of thousands that have suited up over the 105-year history of the National Football League.
Here are the newest Hall of Famers, who will be enshrined on Saturday in Canton, Ohio.
Dwight Freeney
One of the most feared pass rushers of this millennium, Freeney made his name during 11 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who were one of six teams he suited up for. He was a three-time First-Team All-Pro and utilized his patented spin move to rack up 125.5 career sacks to go along with 47 forced fumbles, the latter of which ranks third in NFL history.Freeney accumulated double-digit sacks in seven of his first nine seasons, making seven Pro Bowls during that span. He was just as effective in the postseason, as his 11 postseason sacks rank sixth-most in league history.
Freeney won a Super Bowl with the 2006 Colts and was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
Devin Hester
As someone who redefined the returner role, it’s fitting that Hester becomes the first primary return specialist to go into Canton. He holds the all-time records for most career kickoff and punt return touchdowns (19), as well as the most punt return touchdowns (14).
He infamously had a 92-yard kick return touchdown to begin Super Bowl XLI, which remains the only opening kickoff returned for a score in Super Bowl history.
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As a testament to his unparalleled skills and production at that position, Hester is one of just four players to be named to both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams.
Andre Johnson
Whenever you share a record with Jerry Rice, that alone could merit you Hall of Fame discussion, and Johnson—along with Rice and Calvin Johnson—are the only players in the Super Bowl era to lead the NFL in receiving yards in consecutive seasons.
Andre Johnson currently ranks 11th all-time in both receptions (1,062) and receiving yards (14,185) despite not playing with the most acclaimed cast of quarterbacks. His four seasons with 100-plus catches and over 1,400 receiving yards are unmatched in the NFL’s 105-year history.
Julius Peppers
A transcendent athlete who also played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, Peppers spent 10 of his 17 seasons with his hometown team in the Carolina Panthers. He racked up 159.5 career sacks—fourth-most in NFL history—and he displayed that athleticism with his ability to also play coverage at times.He’s the only player in league history with 100-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions, and he just so happens to rank second all-time with 52 forced fumbles. Like Hester, Peppers is one of four players to make the last two All-Decade Teams (2000s, 2010s).
Patrick Willis
Willis suited up for just eight seasons, but they were as impactful as could be, with seven Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pro selections in those years. He spent his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers, and only Jerry Rice accumulated more First-Team All-Pro selections in franchise history than Willis.A two-time league leader in tackles, Willis had the most solo tackles and the most combined tackles during a four-year stretch from 2007-10. He spent five years on the Hall of Fame ballot before finally getting the nod, but at 39 years old, he’s still one of the youngest Hall of Fame inductees ever.
Randy Gradishar (senior inductee)
Speaking of waiting a while for the call from the hall, Gradishar is in his 35th year of eligibility after making his name in the 1970s and 1980s with the Denver Broncos. He was part of the team’s famed Orange Crush Defense and the first Hall of Famer from that unit. Gradishar made seven Pro Bowls, was a two-time All-Pro First-Team selection and was the 1978 Defensive Player of the Year.Sacks weren’t officially recorded during much of his career, but Gradishar finished with 19.5 unofficial sacks, to go along with 20 interceptions, leaving him just a half-sack shy of being the ninth linebacker in league history to be a part of the 20/20 Club.
Steve McMichael (senior inductee)
McMichael didn’t have to wait quite as long as Gradishar, but it still took him 25 years to get his Hall of Fame gold jacket. Best known for being part of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defense, Mongo McMichael had 92.5 of his 95 career sacks in The Windy City. 1985 was one of two seasons he was a First-Team All-Pro and one of three years he made the Pro Bowl.
McMichael was, amazingly, cut after his rookie year with the New England Patriots but then joined the Bears and would play in 207 consecutive games from his second season in 1981 to his final season in 1994.
Known for his personality both on and off the field, McMichael also dabbled in pro wrestling, was a member of the Four Horsemen, and won the WCW United States Championship.
