Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis Headline Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Seven former players were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday evening.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was announced Thursday night during the annual NFL Honors ceremony, with some legendary players earning their enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. 

This year’s class features seven former players—including two senior inductees—in a defense-heavy class.

Here are the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024:

WR Andre Johnson
DE Dwight Freeney
KR/PR Devin Hester
DE Julius Peppers
LB Patrick Willis
LB Randy Gradishar (senior)
DT Steve McMichael (senior)

Johnson’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame makes him the first player from the Houston Texans to ever be enshrined in Canton. In a 14-year career, 12 of which were spent with the Texans, Johnson amassed 1,062 receptions, 14,185 yards, and 70 receiving touchdowns. The former No. 3 pick made seven Pro Bowls and was a two-time First Team All-Pro. 

Freeney was one of the NFL’s greatest pass rushers throughout his 16 seasons as a pro, including 11 years as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. A seven-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl champ, Freeney racked up 125.5 sacks and 128 tackles for loss in his career.

Hester is widely known as the greatest return man in NFL history. He made four Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro across 11 NFL seasons. Hester holds the record for most punt return touchdowns of all time with 14, and also had five kick return touchdowns—including one on the opening play of Super Bowl XLI.

Peppers made nine Pro Bowls and earned three First Team All-Pro selections in his 17-year career, most of which was spent with the Carolina Panthers. A devastating pass rusher, Peppers finished his career fourth all-time in sacks with 159.5. 

Willis only played eight seasons in the NFL, all with the San Francisco 49ers, but he accomplished plenty in a shorter career than his fellow inductees. Willis made the Pro Bowl in seven of his eight years in the league, and added five First Team All-Pro selections, too. He led the league in tackles during a Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2007, and did so again in 2009.

Gradishar played in the 1970s and 80s, when he was a standout linebacker for the Denver Broncos. He made seven Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro, while winning AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. Gradishar gets into Canton on what was his fourth attempt as a finalist to the Hall of Fame.

McMichael, or “Mongo,” was an all-time great defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears who dominated in the trenches throughout the 1980s and into the ‘90s. A member of one of the greatest defenses of all time, McMichael made two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl in 1985. He spent 13 of his 15 seasons in the NFL with the Bears, racking up 95.0 sacks and 847 tackles.