The Pro Football Hall of Fame is perhaps the most iconic of all of the professional sports Hall of Fames. Situated in Canton, Ohio, it’s just a buckeye nut’s throw from the Horseshoe and 10 former Ohio State players are enshrined within its walls.
There could be more coming soon as well. Two former Buckeye greats were announced as semifinalists on Wednesday. Those two iconic names are Randy Gradishar and Jim Marshall. They are among 31 names that the Hall of Fame’s senior committee will have to sort through to name the 2024 class.
Gradishar played for Ohio State from 1971-1973 and was called by Woody Hayes “the greatest linebacker I ever coached.” He was a two-time All-American at Ohio State and starred in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.
He amassed a slew of tackles and is one of the all-time leaders in bringing down ball carriers despite official stats not being tallied since 2001. He made the Pro Bowl seven times and was selected as a first-team All-Pro three times. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, is a part of the Denver Broncos Ring of Honor, and became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
🚨 NEWS 🚨
60 Seniors, Coaches and Contributors have been named Semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024.
Full Story: https://t.co/wWJ7NP0rqu pic.twitter.com/jUeC3RfhDV
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) July 12, 2023
Marshall wore the scarlet and gray from 1956 to 1958 and was named an All-American. He was part of the 1957 national championship team before leaving school a year early to play in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1959.
He began his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 1960 but starred for the Minnesota Vikings from 1961 to 1979 and is included in the organization’s Ring of Honor. He made two Pro Bowls during his time with the “purple people eaters.” He started 270 consecutive games, still a record for an NFL defensive player. We can’t mention Marshall unfortunately without bringing up the wrong way fumble return he is most well-known for.
Here’s to hoping one or both of the two icons get a bust in Canton next year.
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