Devin Hester, Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers Headline 2024 Pro Football HOF Finalists

Erin WalshDecember 28, 2023

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the modern-era finalists for the Class of 2024.

The list is highlighted by former Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester, former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers and former San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.

Here’s a full list of the modern-era finalists with their positions, years and teams:

Reggie Wayne, WR: 2001-2014 Indianapolis ColtsAndre Johnson, WR: 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee TitansTorry Holt, WR: 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville JaguarsDevin Hester, PR/KR/WR: 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2014 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens, 2016 Seattle SeahawksJared Allen, DE: 2004-2007 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-2015 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina PanthersEric Allen, CB: 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland RaidersWillie Anderson, OT: 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore RavensJahri Evans, OG: 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay PackersDwight Freeney, DE: 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit LionsAntonio Gates, TE: 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles ChargersRodney Harrison, S: 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England PatriotsJulius Peppers, DE: 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay PackersFred Taylor, RB: 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England PatriotsPatrick Willis, LB: 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers Darren Woodson, S: 1992-2003 Dallas CowboysAri Meirov @MySportsUpdateThe 10 names not to make it to the finalist stage: Steve Smith Sr., James Harrison, London Fletcher, Hines Ward, Anquan Boldin, Vince Wilfork, Robert Mathis, Eddie George, Tiki Barber, Ricky Watters. https://t.co/UkSGKVU6PE

Here’s a deeper dive into some of this year’s finalists.

Devin Hester

This marks the third year in a row that Hester has been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The 41-year-old, who is widely considered the greatest returner of all time, spent 12 seasons in the NFL and is the league’s all-time leader in return touchdowns with 20. He scored 19 of those 20 touchdowns as a member of the Bears between 2006-2013.

Hester was also a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. He was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s and All-2010s Teams.

The Miami product posted 255 receptions for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns in 156 games across 12 seasons. He also recorded 315 punt returns 3,695 yards and 14 touchdowns, in addition to 295 kick returns for 7,333 yards and five scores.

Antonio Gates

Gates spent his entire 16-year career with the Chargers from 2003-2018 after signing with the franchise as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State.

The 43-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends in NFL history, having caught 955 passes for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns in 236 games across his 16-year career.

Gates’ 116 touchdown receptions are the most by a tight end in NFL history, as are his 21 career multi-touchdown games.

Gates was also an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s Team. He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame earlier this month.

Julius Peppers

This marks Peppers’ first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame.

The 43-year-old is best known for his 10 years with the Carolina Panthers, though he also suited up for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

Peppers recorded 159.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, 82 pass breakups, 52 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries, 719 tackles, 175 tackles for loss and 186 quarterback hits in 266 games across 17 seasons.

Peppers’ 159.5 sacks rank fourth all-time in NFL history and his 52 forced fumbles rank second all-time in league history. Additionally, he’s the only player to ever record at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions in his career

The North Carolina product was also a nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and the 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Additionally, he was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s and All-2010s Teams.