Colts legends The Pro Football Hall of Fame has named Dwight Freeney and Reggie Wayne as finalists for the Class of 2024.
Dwight Freeney and Reggie Wayne, two former greats of the Indianapolis Colts, have been announced as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024:
Thirteen other finalists from the modern era join Wayne and Freeney: DB TE Antonio Gates, Eric Allen, DE Jared Allen, OT Willie Anderson, OG Jahri Evans, DE Julius Peppers, RB Fred Taylor, LB Patrick Willis, WR Torry Holt, WR Andre Johnson, KR/WR Devin Hester, S Rodney Harrison, and S Darren Woodson.
Whether it’s next summer or sooner, Freeney and Wayne both deserve this honor and should eventually have their own bronze bust and golden jacket.
The next year’s Hall of Fame Class will be revealed on NFL Honors Night on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will convene in Atlanta from January 16–17, 2024, to further whittle down the finalists.
Dwight Freeney’s Life Story: The 6’1,” 268-pound “undersized” sackmaster, who was originally selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Syracuse, was a hybrid of a Tasmanian Devil and a wrecking ball, with a signature spin move that could demoralize even the best left tackles in the league. Freeney was tough to block because of his lower center of gravity and distinct playing strength, but he wasn’t just speed off the edge.
He also possessed an unexpected bull rush. As a proven game-ender off the edge, he was among the most potent pass rushers of his time. Because he could quickly blow a gameplan, Freeney was a force that opposing offensive coordinators had to be mindful of and take into account at all times.Career stats: 218 games played (157 starts), 350 tackles (299 solo), 128 tackles for loss, 125.5 sacks, and 47 forced fumbles
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Reggie Wayne’s Life Story: As a former Indianapolis 2001 first-round pick, he was arguably the “Robin” to Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison’s “Batman” at the start of his storied Colts career. Together, the two became one of the most productive wide receiver tandems in NFL history, with the unstoppable Peyton Manning throwing them tight spirals. Wayne ultimately demonstrated that #87 was a legitimate #1 wideout (and a “Bruce” Wayne) on his own merits, even in the absence of #88. Even though he was never the most physically dominant player, Wayne was a deceptively fast route runner who was always sure-handed and flawless, and he had a knack for making crucial catches at the most important times of the game. Wayne could have easily been referred to as “Mr. Third Down” with.
