The wait to enter Canton is finally over for a host of all-time greats.
View the original article to see embedded media.
The NFL unveiled the inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 during the NFL Honors on Thursday night, and it was a star-studded group headlined by first-ballot finalists Darrelle Revis and Joe Thomas.
Revis and Thomas will be joined in this year’s class by defensive end DeMarcus Ware, defensive back Ronde Barber, linebacker Zach Thomas, late Chargers coach Don Coryell, defensive lineman Joe Klecko, linebacker Chuck Howley and late Bengals cornerback Ken Riley. The ’23 inductees were selected by a 49-person committee comprised of media representatives from every NFL city and at-large selectors, with each finalist needing to receive at least 80% of the vote in order to be elected. The 18 finalists for the ’23 class were previously announced on Jan. 4.
With the latest crop of Hall of Famers now set, here’s a brief recap of each player’s career as they prepare to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio and enter the hallowed halls of football immortality:
Joe Thomas, offensive tackle (2007 to ’17)
The former Browns star came to be known as the NFL’s ironman during his 11 seasons en route to becoming just the seventh O-lineman to join the HOF in his first year of eligibility. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, Thomas entered the league as the third pick out of Wisconsin and went on to play a record 10,363 consecutive snaps to open his career. The towering offensive tackle’s impressive streak came to an end in Week 7 of the 2017 season when he suffered a season-ending torn triceps, an injury that ultimately led to his retirement in March ’18.
Thomas moved on from the game into a successful media career, and while he may look a little different these days after shedding 50 pounds post-retirement, the former All-Pro is still widely recognized as a titan in the sport. Over 11 seasons, Thomas, who allowed just 30 sacks in his career, was a six-time first-team and two-time second-team All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team.
Darrelle Revis, defensive back (2007 to ’17)
Forever known for locking up receivers on “Revis Island,” the legendary DB earned a reputation as one of the greatest defenders of all-time over his 11 seasons. Revis, who was selected out of Pittsburgh 11 picks after Thomas, spent his first six seasons with the Jets before joining the Buccaneers and Patriots for a pair of noteworthy one-year stints. The lockdown DB later finished his career with another two seasons with the Jets and one year with the Chiefs.
While in New England, Revis earned his sixth Pro Bowl and fourth first-team All-Pro nods, and went on to earn an elusive Lombardi Trophy after helping the Pats defeat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. A starter in 142 of his 145 career games, Revis earned four All-Pro nods, seven Pro Bowl selections and a spot on the 2010s All-Decade Team. He compiled a stat line of 29 interceptions, 139 passes defensed and 497 tackles.
The other finalists who qualified for the Class of 2023 but were not inducted include: defensive end Jared Allen, offensive lineman Willie Anderson, defensive end Dwight Freeney, kick/punt returner Devin Hester, wide receiver Torry Holt, defensive back Albert Lewis, receiver Andre Johnson, linebacker Patrick Willis, receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive back Darren Woodson.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
