Two former Atlanta Falcons in defensive end Dwight Freeney and receiver/returner Devin Hester are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Both players joined the Falcons late in their career, but still managed to make a noticeable impact.
Freeney, 43, played for the Falcons in 2016, helping them reach Super Bowl 51. He had three sacks in three regular-season games and added another in the playoffs.
Aside from his time in Atlanta, Freeney spent the bulk of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, as well as shorter stints with the then-San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. He finished his 16-year career with 127.5 sacks, seven Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro nods.
Meanwhile, Hester is known as arguably the greatest return man to ever play. The 41-year old holds the NFL record for most all-time return touchdowns (20), all-time kickoff return touchdowns (14) and is tied for single-season return touchdowns (six in 2007).
Hester played in Atlanta from 2014 to 2015, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the former season after leading the league in kickoff return yards. He spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears before joining the Falcons, then split time between the Baltimore Ravens and the Seahawks for his final year in the NFL.
Freeney is in his second year of eligibility, while Hester is in his third. If they are inducted, they would join nine other Hall of Fame players who once donned the Falcons uniform.
The 2024 class will be announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 8, just before the Super Bowl.
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