On Thursday August 1, the Houston Texans took on the Cleveland Browns in the NFL hall of fame game. This game marks the official beginning of the new NFL season.
The NFL hall of fame class, announced during the NFL honors ceremony on February 8, features seven players. Although the game does matter, what ultimately matters is the legends being inducted into the pro football hall of fame.
NFL hall of fame player 1- Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson proved to be one of the best wide receivers in the league during his peak. He led the league in receiving yards in back to back years in 2008 and 2009. These insane numbers helped him make the first team all pro in both of those seasons. He also led the league in total receptions twice. Johnson played a 14 year career, with 12 of those seasons being with the Texans. He spent his final two seasons in Indiana and Tennessee respectively. He was still a solid WR for the Colts but the Titans stint proved to be the end.
NFL hall of fame player 2- Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers spent a long time as one of the best defenders in the league at the defensive end position. In 2006 with the Panthers he led the league in tackles for loss on his way to making the all pro first team. As mentioned earlier, he was good for a long time. He was a part of the all 2000s and the all 2010s teams. His career ended in 2018 with the same team it started with in 2002, the Panthers.
Photo via Yahoo Sports
NFL hall of fame player 3- Patrick Willis
Patrick Willis was a dominant defensive player at linebacker, but unlike Peppers, Willis is known for a strong peak rather than longevity. Willis played just eight seasons, but that’s all he needed to earn his spot in the hall of fame. In his rookie season in 2007 he led the league in combined and total tackles to finish first in defensive rookie of the year voting and seventh in defensive player of the year voting.
NFL hall of fame player 4- Devin Hester
Devin Hester is one of the few players who made a big name for himself as a punt returner. He did play wide receiver as well, getting 757 yards in 2009. However, he’s in the hall of fame for his kick and punt returns. In his rookie season in 2006 he led the league in punt return yards, punt return touchdowns and kick return touchdowns. Just like Peppers he made the all 2000s and 2010s team.
NFL hall of fame player 5- Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney was a dominant defensive end in the 2000s and early 2010s. In 2004 he recorded 16 sacks, one in each game, on his way to finishing third in defensive player of the year voting. Unlike most of the players on this list, Freeney was able to win a super bowl. He was a part of the 2006 Colts squad that won it all. He didn’t have his most dominant season but still was an important part of the team.
Photo via Colts Wire
NFL hall of fame player 6- Steve McMichael
Steve McMichael was one of the two players voted into the hall of fame by the senior committee. He played from 1980 to 1994. He was a part of the Bears teams in the 80s that are widely considered the best defensive team in NFL history. In 1985 the Bears lost just one game on their way to a super bowl. Mcdaniels was a big part of this championship as he made the first team all pro.
NFL hall of fame player 7- Randy Gradishar
Randy Gradishar is the other player voted into the hall of fame by the senior committee. He played in the NFL from 1974 to 1983. He played his entire career with the Broncos. In 1978 he was voted as the defensive player of the year. He got a career high four interceptions and two forced fumbles. 1978 was one of the seven seasons he made the pro bowl and his second season making the first team all pro, the previous being the season right before in 1977.
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