The Next Step for Devin Hester
Devin Hester's second bid for the Pro Football Hall of Fame failed so the next step is picking himself up to try for a third time.
The problem with missing the second time is another group of players becomes eligible, as well as other finalists from this year who failed to get in and others who are nominated.
Some of his future competition might come from former Bears.
Players who beat out Hester to make it for 2023 enshrinement in Canton were cornerback Ronde Barber, cornerback Darrelle Revis, tackle Joe Thomas, linebacker Zach Thomas and edge rusher DeMarcus Ware.
The other players who were finalists like Hester and didn't make it will also be on the ballot like he will. They include receivers Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, tackle Willie Anderson, cornerback Albert Lewis, safety Darren Woodson, defensive ends Jared Allen and Dwight Freeney and linebacker Patrick Willis were all finalists with Hester who didn't win and automatically become eligible for next year.
Among the new competition for Hester in 2024 will be former Panthers, Bears and Packers edge rusher Julius Peppers. Of all the players eligible, Peppers looks the most formidable competition in his first year of eligibility.
Peppers made 159 1/2 career sacks, 97 with Carolina, 37 1/2 with the Bears and 25 with Green Bay in a remarkable 17-year career. He's fourth all time in sacks and behind three other Hall of Fame pass rushers: Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Kevin Greene.
Tight end Antonio Gates is another strong first-time eligible. Former Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who made 970 receptions for 12,351 yards and 83 TDs, is another of those eligible.
The other players who become eligible to be nominated besides Peppers, Gates and Marshall in the new class are: punter Donnie Jones, running back Doug Martin, cornerback Adam Jones, safety Reggie Nelson, safety Glover Quin, kicker Sebastian Janikowski, linebacker Telvin Smith, safety Eric Berry, defensive lineman Haloti Ngata, running back Jamaal Charles, guard Josh Sitton, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, center Max Unger, cornerback Vontae Davis, quarterback Matt Cassel, cornerback Sam Shields, running back Chris Ivory, wide receiver Mike Wallace, running back Jonathan Stewart, safety Corey Graham, tackle Jermon Bushrod, quarterback Derek Anderson, long snapper John Denney, linebacker Derrick Johnson, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, cornerback Brent Grimes, kicker Phil Dawson, defensive end Greg Hardy, outside linebacker Connor Barwin, linebacker Brian Orakpo, wide receiver Jordy Nelson, punter Marquette King, quarterback Andrew Luck, cornerback Leon Hall, wide receiver Doug Baldwin, tight end Jermaine Gresham and guard T.J. Lang.
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