Reggie Wayne and Jim Irsay react to no Colts making the 2023 Hall of Fame Class

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Former Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne looks on during the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor ceremony for Tarik Glenn during halftime of a game against the Washington Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Former Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne looks on during the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor ceremony for Tarik Glenn during halftime of a game against the Washington Commanders at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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The Indianapolis Colts react to Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney not being named to the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.

For the fourth straight year, legendary receiver Reggie Wayne was a finalist for the Hall of Fame. Also for the fourth straight year, Wayne wasn’t inducted. This time, Wayne shared the experience with his former Indianapolis Colts teammate, Dwight Freeney. In his first year of eligibility, Freeney was a finalist but he didn’t make it this year either. This was revealed on Thursday night at the NFL Honors when the league introduced the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.

The modern names making it in over Wayne and Freeney were Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, and Zach Thomas. All deserving names with great careers. However, many people were still disappointed to see that Freeney nor Wayne was selected. People have been especially disappointed for Reggie Wayne since he has been at the doorstep for four years now.

Wayne took to Twitter to joke about his frustration with not making it into the Hall yet but he did make clear that he was celebrating the night regardless. Jim Irsay also took to Twitter to simply voice his appreciation for Wayne and his career, listing Reggie’s stats and calling him “one of the greatest.”

Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney not named to 2023 Hall of Fame Class

Although Wayne and Freeney weren’t a part of this class, their Hall of Fame journeys are a matter of when not if. Both aren’t just franchise legends for the Colts but they are two of the best players to ever play the game. They very clearly have Hall of Fame resumes and will make it in eventually, it’s just tough that the wait will be so long.

Wayne still is 10th all-time with 14,345 receiving yards. He also has 82 receiving touchdowns and a Super Bowl victory, and dominated as a receiver for over a decade, making six total Pro Bowls. Freeney, on the other hand, finished his career with 125.5 sacks, the 26th most in NFL History. He’s also a Super Bowl Champion and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times.

Both have clearly had Hall of Fame careers, it’s just a matter of time before it becomes official for Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney.