Two Saints Among Hall of Fame Semifinalists
The 25 modern-era semifinalists were revealed on Tuesday morning for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Two former New Orleans Saints players made the cut.
ERIC ALLEN, CB
Former New Orleans Saints CB Eric Allen (21). Credit: New Orleans Saints History
• Philadelphia Eagles (1988-1994)
• New Orleans Saints (1995-1997)
• Oakland Raiders (1998-2001)
A second-round choice in the 1988 NFL Draft out of Arizona State by the Eagles, Allen was among the NFL's top cover corners during his time in the league. He made six Pro Bowls over his 14-year career and was the 1993 UPI Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 while with the Eagles.
Allen had 54 interceptions over his 14 seasons, returning eight for touchdowns. He'd join the Saints in 1995, where he'd star on an aging defense after the departure of the ''Dome Patrol'' for three years. During his time in New Orleans, Allen intercepted five passes and made a Pro Bowl in 1995.
The Saints traded Allen to the Raiders in 1998, where he'd remain for his final four seasons. This is Allen's fourth straight year as a semifinalist. He has yet to make it to the final level of consideration.
JAHRI EVANS, G
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) blocks against the Oakland Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
• New Orleans Saints (2006-2016)
• Green Bay Packers (2017)
The Saints grabbed Evans with a 2006 fourth-round pick out of tiny Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. He was just the second NFL player to be drafted out of Bloomsburg at the time and remains the highest draft choice (108th overall) selected from the eastern Pennsylvania school.
Evans went from obscurity to an immediate success with New Orleans. He started from the first game of his rookie campaign and would start 122 consecutive contests between 2006 and 2013. Evans was voted onto the 2006 All-Rookie Team and was selected to the NFL's All-2010s Team.
Evans made six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2009-2014. He was a 1st Team All-Pro for four straight years from 2009-2012. In 11 seasons with the Saints, he started 193 of a possible 200 games, including the team's Super Bowl XLIV championship squad.
New Orleans had a historically efficient offense during Evans' tenure with the team. He provided exemplary protection for QB Drew Brees, but was also a mauler for an underrated rushing attack. Evans was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2020. He has qualified as a semifinalist in both years of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The 25 semifinalists were reduced from 173 candidates announced in September. Those semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 modern-era finalists by a 50-person voting committee in December.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be announced at the NFL Awards Ceremony on February 8 prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
