The 2023 NFL season will kick off in less than seven months. But before the league begins a new season, it will celebrate its top players and coaches from the past. Earlier this month, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its class of 2023 and it includes five players and one coach. The Pro Football Hall of Fame also voted in three senior committee members to round out the class.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 5. The newly elected Hall of Famers were chosen from a list of 19 finalists who were determined by the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. All the inductees needed at least 80% of the vote. With the new class, the Pro Football Hall of Fame now stands at 371.
Videos by PopCulture.com
The Pro Football Hall of Fame opened in Canton, Ohio in 1963. In that year, the charter class included legendary players and coaches such as Jim Thorpe, Bronko Nagurski, Don Hutson, Sammy Baugh, Bert Bell, George Halas and Curly Lambeau. Here’s a look at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Rondé Barber
Rondé Barber spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was one of the toughest defensive backs to play the game. He’s the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks for a cornerback and is the only player in NFL history to have at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks.
Darrelle Revis
Quarterbacks were afraid to throw over in Darrelle Revis’ area because it was likely he was going to intercept it. He was selected to All-Pro First Team four times, he’s a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team and is a member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor.
Joe Thomas
Joe Thomas spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns and played in an NFL record 10,363 snaps. The standout offensive lineman allowed only 30 sacks in his career and became the first offensive lineman in league history to be named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons.
Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas recorded 100 tackles in each of his first 11 seasons. The Miami Dolphins legend was selected to All-Pro First Team five times while being named to the Pro Bowl seven times.
DeMarcus Ware
DeMarcus Ware could get after the quarterback, posting 117 sacks as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. He was voted to the All-Pro First Team four times, selected to the Pro Bowl nine times and helped the Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl during the 2015 season.
Coach Don Coryell
Don Coryell was the head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals (now Arizona Cardinals) and San Diego Chargers and is known for creating the Air Coryell offense. He won 114 games in his NFL career and is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame.
Senior Members
Chuck Howley – Linebacker, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys (1958-1973)
Jon Klecko – Defensive lineman, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts (1977-1988)
Ken Riley – Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals (1969-1983)
