Three former Chicago Bears are one step closer to football immortality. Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Jared Allen were named three of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 on Wednesday evening.
Hester has been named a finalist for the third time in as many years since he became eligible for the Hall of Fame. The legendary Bears return specialist changed the game when he was drafted in 2006, setting various records for both kickoff and punt returns throughout his career. The former All-Pro holds records for most career return touchdowns (20), most career punt return touchdowns (14), and most return touchdowns in a single season (6). He also made both the 2000s and 2010s All-Decade Teams. Hester played for the Bears from 2006 to 2013.
Devin Hester was a human highlight reel.
He's now also a Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/V7aCI6ELxe
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 28, 2023
Peppers, meanwhile, spent the majority of his career with the Carolina Panthers but was a Bear for four seasons from 2010 to 2013. He earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010 and made three Pro Bowls while with the Bears, helping lead them to the 2010 NFC Championship game. Peppers has the fifth-most sacks in NFL history with 159.5, 37.5 of which came with the Bears. He is in his first year of eligibility.
One of the 100 Greatest @ChicagoBears of all-time and the @Panthers Ring of Honor.
Julius Peppers is a Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/6lFDp9Ve9g
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 28, 2023
Finally, Allen spent a year and a half in Chicago from 2014–2015, at the end of his career. He was a perennial Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of his career, totaling 136 sacks, and is in his fifth year of eligibility.
Jared Allen played for four NFL teams, but is most remembered for his run with the @Vikings from 2008-13, during which he made four of his five trips to the Pro Bowl.
Allen is a Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/etuqOwB1g9
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 28, 2023
The rest of the finalists include Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Erin Allen, and Willie Anderson. Former Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael was also named a senior committee finalist earlier this year and is all-but guaranteed to get enshrined in Canton as well.
The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be announced in February, prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
Finally, Allen spent a year and a half in Chicago from 2014-2015 at the end of his career. He was a perennial Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings for the majority of his career, totaling 136 sacks, and is in his fifth year of eligibility.
The rest of the finalists include Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Erin Allen, and Willie Anderson. Former Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael was also named a senior committee finalist earlier this year, and is all-but guaranteed to get enshrined in Canton as well.
The 2024 Hall of Fame class will be announced in February prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
