Meet the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023

The Pro Football Hall of Fame introduced the Class of 2023 on Thursday evening, through the yearly NFL Honors awards. This yr supplied maybe the deepest class in latest reminiscence, as all 15 modern-era finalists for inclusion had been greater than worthy of consideration.

For extra on the voting course of, you may learn the Selection Process FAQ offered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Here is the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Modern-Era Selections

Ronde Barber, Defensive Back

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Ronde Barber spent his total 16-year profession with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking part in cornerback for the primary 15 seasons earlier than shifting to security for his last season within the NFL. Barber was a three-time First-Team All-Pro choice at cornerback, and tied for the league lead in interceptions through the 2001 season.

Barber was a part of the Tampa Bay group that gained Super Bowl XXXVII. Barber’s Pick-Six late within the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship recreation towards the Philadelphia Eagles punched Tampa Bay’s ticket to the Super Bowl, and is considered one of many best performs in franchise historical past.

This was Barber’s third time as a finalist.

Darrelle Revis, Cornerback

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When you consider trendy period cornerbacks, you possible consider “Revis Island.” During a stretch of time in his profession Darrelle Revis was the premier shutdown cornerback within the league. He recorded solely 29 interceptions over his 11-year profession, due largely to the truth that opposing quarterbacks can be reluctant to check him, and receivers would battle to separate from him.

He was a four-time First-Team All-Pro choice, together with in three-straight seasons. Revis was a member of the New England Patriots after they gained Super Bowl XLIX, and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade group for the 2010s.

Revis was a first-time finalist.

Joe Thomas, Offensive Tackle

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For over a decade, Joe Thomas manned the left sort out spot for the Cleveland Browns with out lacking a snap. His streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps performed is the longest for the reason that league began recording snap counts through the 1999 season.

Thomas was a six-time First-Team All-Pro choice, a two-time Second-Team choice, and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade group for the 2010s. According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas allowed simply 30 sacks over his 11-year profession.

This was the primary time Thomas was a finalist.

Zach Thomas, Linebacker

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For 12 seasons, Zach Thomas manned the linebacker spot for the Miami Dolphins, carving out a fame as one of many NFL’s most well-respected defenders. Thomas was a five-time First-Team All-Pro choice, and he led the league in tackles in two completely different NFL seasons. He completed second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 1996 — to cross rusher Simeon Rice — and was third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 1998.

This was the fourth time Thomas was a finalist.

DeMarcus Ware, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

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DeMarcus Ware spent the primary 9 seasons of his profession tormenting quarterbacks as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. During his time in Dallas, Ware recorded 117 sacks, which stays a franchise document and people numbers alone would have positioned him twenty third on the official all-time sack checklist. (The NFL didn’t begin recording sacks as an official statistic till 1982. An unofficial checklist that dates again till 1960 can also be out there).

Ware then joined the Denver Broncos, and was a part of the Broncos group that gained Super Bowl 50. He recorded one other 21.5 sacks whereas a member of the Broncos, and now ranks ninth all-time in sacks.

This was Ware’s second time as a Hall of Fame finalist.

Senior/Coach Selections

In addition to the 5 Modern-Era picks, 4 different finalists earned a spot within the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday evening.

Joe Klecko, Defensive lineman

A member of the famed New York Jets’ “Sack Exchange,” Klecko performed for 12 seasons within the NFL, the majority of which had been with the Jets. He recorded 78 sacks over his NFL profession, together with 20.5 through the 1981 season.

Klecko was a four-time Pro Bowl choice, and two-time First-Team All-Pro choice. He was additionally named to the Second Team All-Pro in 1983.

Ken Riley, Defensive again

A quarterback in faculty for Florida A&M University, Riley was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals within the sixth spherical of the 1969 Draft. Bengals head coach Paul Brown transformed him to cornerback, and Riley performed his total NFL profession for Cincinnati within the defensive backfield. Over his NFL profession, Riley recorded 65 interceptions.

Chuck Howley, Linebacker

Chuck Howley was drafted within the first spherical of the 1958 Draft by the Chicago Bears, and really retired from the NFL after two seasons attributable to a critical knee damage. But he returned to the sport, and the sphere, having been traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

While with Dallas, Howley began 160 video games over 13 seasons, and recorded 25 interceptions. He was a six-time Pro Bowl choice, a five-time First-Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl Champion, as he was a part of the Cowboys group that gained Super Bowl VI.

Howley was additionally named the MVP of Super Bowl V, a recreation the Cowboys misplaced to the Baltimore Colts. His two interceptions in that recreation noticed him earn MVP honors, and to this present day he’s the one participant from a dropping group to win Super Bowl MVP.

Don Coryell, Coach

Don Coryell was a head coach for 2 completely different NFL groups, first the St. Louis Cardinals and later the San Diego Chargers. During his time with the Chargers, he crafted one of the explosive offenses in NFL historical past, a system that may later be termed the “Coryell offense,” or extra notably, “Air Coryell.” This was a passing offense that centered on the vertical passing recreation, and its designs may be traced to various trendy NFL offenses.