Eight former gamers and one former coach will be part of the legends who’re presently enshrined within the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This 12 months’s class is comprised of 5 modern-day, three senior inductees and one coach/contributor inductee.
The 2023 Hall of Fame induction class was unveiled throughout NFL Honors on Thursday evening. Of the eight gamers chosen, seven lined up on protection. There had been no talent positions chosen, a rarity within the 60-year historical past of the Hall of Fame.
** denotes first-year eligible gamers
Modern-day inductees
**CB Darrelle Revis (2007-17): “Revis Island” was something however a trip spot for NFL wideouts throughout his 10-year profession. The seven-time Pro Bowler routinely locked down the league’s greatest receivers whereas making life depressing for quarterbacks. He helped New England snap its 10-year Super Bowl drought in 2014 after main the Jets to consecutive AFC title video games in 2009-10.
**OL Joe Thomas (2007-17): One of the best left tackles in NFL historical past, Thomas earned 10 consecutive Pro Bowl nods whereas being named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2010s. The NFL’s modern-day “Iron Man,” Thomas performed in 167 video games and amassed 10,363 consecutive snaps.
LB Zach Thomas (1996-08): A tackling machine, Thomas racked up seven Pro Bowl and 5 All-Pro nods over a nine-year span. He tallied 1,734 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions (4 returned for touchdowns), 16 compelled fumbles and eight fumble recoveries over his 13-year profession.
LB DeMarcus Ware (2005-16): Ware racked up 138.5 sacks throughout his 12-year profession. A seven-time Pro Bowler with the Cowboys, Ware earned two extra Pro Bowl nods after becoming a member of the Broncos in 2014. Ware helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 earlier than retiring the next season.
CB Ronde Barber (1997-12): A key member of the Buccaneers’ 2002 championship-winning protection. His pick-six in that years’s NFC title recreation win over the Eagles is arguably the best play in franchise historical past. A modern-day iron man, Barber performed in a whopping 251 video games over his 16-year profession.
Senior inductees
DL Joe Klecko (1977-88): The versatile lineman earned Pro Bowl nods at defensive finish, defensive sort out and nostril sort out. He led the NFL with 20.5 sacks in 1981 whereas serving as a worthwhile member of the Jets’ “New York Sack Exchange” protection.
LB Chuck Howley (1958-73): The solely Super Bowl MVP from a shedding staff, Howley picked off two passes in Dallas’ 16-13 loss to the Colts in Super Bowl V. He had one other interception in Super Bowl VI, because the Cowboys defeated the Dolphins to win their first Super Bowl. Howley was named to 6 Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro.
CB Ken Riley (1970-83): A profession Bengal, Riley’s 65 profession interceptions are tied for the fifth most in NFL historical past. In 1983, his closing season, Riley picked off eight passes whereas returning a league-high two for touchdowns. Riley joins Anthony Munoz as the one Bengals enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
Coach/contributor inductee
Don Coryell: Architect of the “Air Coryell” offense, the modern coach helped modernize the passing recreation. Coryell led the Cardinals to a few straight 10-win seasons earlier than guiding the Chargers to 4 straight playoff appearances. The Chargers’ offense stays probably the most prolific in league historical past, led by future Hall of Famers Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, and Charlie Joiner.
