Colts have two finalists for Hall of Fame Class of 2023 in Dwight Freeney and Reggie Wayne
The NFL announced the finalists for the 2023 Hall of Fame Class, and Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney are representing the Indianapolis Colts.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced 15 modern-era player finalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class and it is a stacked group. Among the names of finalists were two longtime Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney. For Freeney, this is his first year of eligibility after retiring after the 2017 season. Wayne, on the other hand, is a finalist for the fourth straight year, and everyone is hoping that this is the time he finally makes it through into Canton.
However, it will be a very competitive final round of voting because Freeney and Wayne are joined by some of the greatest players in league history as finalists. The other 13 finalists are Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Ronde Barber, Devin Hester, Tory Holt, Andre Johnson, Albert Lewis, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Patrick Willis, and Darren Woodson. A lot of great players who all deserve a spot in the Hall.
The Colts are hoping that both Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney can make it through this year and become the team’s latest Hall of Famers since their teammates Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James were inducted in 2021 and 2020.
Ok. So 4th times a charm... Right? #HOFFINALIST
— Reggie Wayne (@ReggieWayne_17) January 5, 2023
Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney named finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Freeney was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2002 Draft and played 11 seasons in Indianapolis. Racking up several Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, Freeney’s stint in Indy was highlighted by the team’s Super Bowl 41 victory. After leaving the Colts in 2013, Freeney spent his last five seasons in the NFL with five different teams. He retired with 125.5 career sacks, good for 26th-best in NFL history.
Wayne was drafted in the first round of the 2001 Draft and was also a part of Indy’s Super Bowl 41 team. He played 14 years with the Colts and caught 1,070 passes for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns. Wayne’s 14,345 receiving yards are the 10th most in NFL history.
The actual 2023 Hall of Fame class will be announced on February 9 at the NFL Honors. The enshrinement ceremony will be in the summertime in August before the league starts the 2023 preseason.
