Joe Thomas, Darrelle Revis, and Dwight Freeney, both six-time All Pro offensive linemen, are among nine players who were eligible to be in the first class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 class.
Other first-year candidates include Chris Johnson, the running back, Jahri Evans, the offensive lineman, NaVorro Bowman, James Harrison, and James Harrison. Defensive back Kam Chancellor is also eligible, as well punter Shane Lechler.
They combined to earn 52 Pro Bowl berths and 30 first-team All Pro selections. Five of the nine Super Bowl winners were also among the all-decade teams. Johnson was also awarded the Offensive Player-of-the Year award in 2009, while Harrison was named top defensive player in 2008.
Thomas was a strong tackler in the league during a 11-year-long career. He was selected six times first-team All-Pro and two times second-team. While playing for the Browns throughout his career, he had a streak that spanned 10,363 consecutive plays.
Revis, who was also drafted in 2007, moved more and spent time with the Jets as well as New England, Tampa Bay, New England, and Kansas City.
His best play was in New York. He was a first-team All Pro from 2009-11. He finished second in Defensive Players of the Year voting 2009. He repeatedly shut down top receivers, sending them to “Revis Island.”
Revis spent one-year in New England helping the Patriots win Super Bowl 2014.
Freeney spent 16 years in Indianapolis, where his dominant spin move and speed off the edge led to 1251/2 career sacks. Peyton Manning led a powerful offense and Freeney was the anchor of a defense that helped the Colts win Super Bowl in 2006.
The November list will be cut to 25 semifinalists, and January’s finalists will be chosen by the selection committee.
The selection meeting will reduce the number of finalists to just 10 and then down to five. To get into the Hall, the five final candidates must get at least 80% of the votes.
The nominees list includes 67 offensive and 50 defensive players as well as 12 special teamers.
The 2022 finalist are defensive end Jared Allen, tackle Willie Anderson and defensive back Ronde Barber. Next year’s finalists include receivers Torry Holt and Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, and linebackers Zach Thomas, Patrick Willis, and DeMarcus Ware, edge rusher.
The panel will also include Don Coryell (ex-Cardinals and Cardinals) as a coach. There are also three senior candidates, Super Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley, and All Pro defenders Joe Klecko or Ken Riley.
They will also be admitted if they receive support from at least 80 percent of the voters in January.