Darrelle Revis, DeMarcus Ware, Joe Thomas headline 2023 Hall of Fame Class

Joe Thomas began 167 straight video games throughout his 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, incomes 10 Pro Bowl nods and making the NFL’s All-Decade group for the 2010s.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro whereas enjoying 11 seasons for 4 totally different groups, incomes the nickname “Revis Island.” Like Thomas, Revis additionally was chosen to the 2010s All-Decade group.

Here’s one other factor they’ve in widespread: Both gamers have been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame of their first yr of eligibility. Thomas and Revis be part of three different modern-day gamers elected in edge rusher DeMarcus Ware, defensive again Ronde Barber and linebacker Zach Thomas.

Selected by the Hall’s board of selectors final month, this yr’s class was introduced dwell on the “NFL Honors” present in Arizona on Thursday and can be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 5.

Along with these 5, coach Don Coryell, linebacker Chuck Howley, defensive sort out Joe Klecko and cornerback Ken Riley have been voted in by the Hall of Fame’s senior, coach and contributor committee.

Finalists who didn’t make the reduce this yr embrace receivers Torrey Holt, Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson, together with move rushers Dwight Freeney and Jared Allen, return man Devin Hester, cornerback Albert Lewis, security Darren Woodson, linebacker Patrick Willis and offensive lineman Willie Anderson. 

One of essentially the most gifted and efficient blindside protectors in NFL historical past, Joe Thomas gave up 30 sacks in 6,680 pass-block snaps throughout his profession, in accordance with Pro Football Focus. He additionally earned accolades for his sturdiness. Selected No. 3 total within the 2007 draft by Cleveland, Thomas performed each potential offensive snap till struggling a triceps harm in Week 7 of the 2017 season. He performed 10,363 consecutive snaps in all, believed to be the longest streak in league historical past.

Revis completed with 29 interceptions throughout his 11 seasons within the NFL, together with eight with the New York Jets. He received a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots after the 2014 season.

“Darrelle could handle anybody,” stated former Jets coach Rex Ryan. “I don’t care if it’s Hall of Fame guys, he locked them down and covered them, and it wasn’t even close.” 

Ware had 138.5 profession sacks and 35 pressured fumbles in 12 years a professional, the primary 9 with the Dallas Cowboys. He received a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos after the 2015 season. A seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Ware posted double-digit sacks eight occasions.

Zach Thomas was a tackling machine for the Miami Dolphins, main his group in stops in 10 seasons and ending with no less than 100 tackles in every of his first 11 years within the league. A seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Thomas completed with 20.5 sacks and 17 profession interceptions. 

“Zach wasn’t the biggest, strongest or fastest, but he was the smartest and most instinctive,” Hall of Famer operating again Curtis Martin as soon as stated. “No matter where I went, there he was.” 

Barber established a brand new place — slot cornerback — in a dominant Tampa Bay Buccaneers protection. He began 215 consecutive video games (224 counting postseason) in 16 NFL seasons, recording 47 interceptions and 14 defensive and particular groups touchdowns (eight interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries and two on deflected factors returned for scores.) Barber is the one participant in NFL historical past with no less than 45 interceptions and 25 sacks. He can also be the NFL’s all-time chief in sacks by a cornerback with 28. 

Coryell is taken into account one of many founding fathers of the fashionable NFL offense. While head coach of the San Diego Chargers, Coryell’s groups went to 2 AFC Championship Games and received three straight AFC West titles from 1979 to 1981. He additionally received NFC Eastern Division titles with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 and 1975.

But Coryell is generally recognized for his “Air Coryell” offense, creating high-scoring, pass-oriented groups constructed round quarterback Dan Fouts, tight finish Kellen Winslow and receiver Charlie Joiner, all three Hall of Famers. Coryell’s innovation in utilizing single tight ends units with Winslow and his concentrate on the vertical passing recreation helped the Chargers lead the NFL in passing six straight seasons from 1978 to 1983 — the longest streak within the Super Bowl period. 

Riley performed 15 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1969 to 1985. “Mr. Bengal” totaled 65 profession interceptions, tied for fifth all time with Charles Woodson. 

A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, former Cowboys linebacker Howley was named MVP of Super Bowl V — the primary defensive participant and non-quarterback to win the award. Howley is also the one participant from the dropping group to be named MVP of a Super Bowl. 

Klecko was a part of the “New York Sack Exchange.” The defensive lineman performed 12 seasons, 11 with the Jets, and totaled 78 sacks, together with a career-high 20.5 in 1981. Klecko was additionally recognized for his versatility, rating as certainly one of two gamers in NFL historical past to be chosen to the Pro Bowl at three totally different positions.

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

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