Longtime KC Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles Nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Kansas City Chiefs have a few Hall of Fame talents currently playing on the field or coaching from the sidelines, but they also had a standout performer from the past who is now being recognized for his efforts.
Longtime Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, per an announcement from the NFL, is one of 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class:
Nine players in their first year of eligibility are among the list of 173 Modern-Era Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Those making the list for consideration for the first time include wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Jordy Nelson, tight end Antonio Gates, running back Jamaal Charles, offensive linemen T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton and Max Unger, and defensive linemen Haloti Ngata and Julius Peppers.
The roster of nominees consists of 94 offensive players, 62 defensive players and 17 special teams players. The list of Modern-Era Nominees will be reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November.
Charles is joined by a whopping 93 other offensive players, with 32 of his fellow nominees also being running backs. Some notable names from the latter list include Shaun Alexander, Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Chris Johnson, Brian Westbrook, former Chiefs backs Priest Holmes and Tony Richardson, as well as many others.
Playing 11 seasons in the NFL, Charles spent nine of them in Kansas City after being selected by the club in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. After bursting onto the scene in 2009 and following it up with an even better 2010 campaign, Charles played just two games in 2011 but then recorded three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in a row from 2012-2014. In his entire career, the former University of Texas standout rushed for 7,563 yards and 44 touchdowns while also hauling in 310 passes for 2,593 yards and another 20 scores.
Pro Football Reference gives Charles a Hall of Fame monitor score of 41.35 for his career accomplishments, which falls well short of the average mark of 107 for running backs currently in the Hall of Fame. Although it's worth arguing that not many halfbacks in the history of the league had a peak as high as that of Charles, it's unclear whether the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro had enough longevity to result in him advancing to the next stage.
According to the league's announcement, the list of modern-era nominees will be cut down to 25 in November of this year. After that, 19 general finalists will be presented to the selection committee in its annual meeting — 15 from the modern era and four from the seniors list. Here's more on how the process will work moving forward:
The Selection Committee will meet early next year (on a date to be determined) in advance of Super Bowl LVIII. While there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the selection process bylaws provide that between four and nine new members will be selected.
The Seniors Finalists and Coach/Contributor Finalist are voted "yes" or "no" for election at the annual selection meeting and must receive at least 80% support from the Committee to join the Class of 2024. The Modern-Era Finalists will be trimmed during the meeting from 15 to 10, then from 10 to five. The remaining five Finalists will be voted on individually, "yes" or "no," and must receive the same 80% positive vote as the Seniors and Coach/Contributor to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
