Analysis
8/5/23
8 min read
Everything You Need to Know About 2023 NFL Hall of Fame Class
On Saturday, August 5, the Pro Football Hall of Fame added nine new members to its ranks. These skilled athletes and influential figures made a lasting impact on the sport. Now that they've been fitted for gold jackets, let's examine what set each of these individuals apart from their peers.
2023 NFL Hall of Fame Inductees
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Ronde Barber, cornerback
A cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense during his 16-year career, Ronde Barber was a transformative force for the franchise. He holds franchise records for most appearances (241) and starts (232).
In addition to his longevity, the 1997 third-round draft pick was a disruptor at cornerback. Barber is the only NFL player with more than 45 interceptions and 25 sacks in his career. Of his 28 career sacks, he made 27 as a cornerback, setting a position record. His remarkable tackling proficiency, a rarity for cornerbacks, translated into a career total 1,251 tackles – the second-most in franchise history. That further highlighted his pivotal contributions to both blitzing and fortifying the Buccaneers' run defense.
Barber also knew how to show up in big moments. In the 2003 NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Barber returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The pick-six sealed the 27-10 victory and led the team to its first Super Bowl win.
The five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, nine-time team captain and Buccaneers Ring of Honor member deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Don Coryell, coach
Don Coryell was one of the first coaches to understand how to run a pass-heavy offense effectively in the NFL. In his nine seasons with the Chargers from 1978-86, Coryell's offenses led the league in passing yards seven times and total offense five times.
>>READ: How Don Coryell Changed Football Offense Forever
His offenses used the entire length of the field and stretched defenses vertically. He's credited with introducing pre-snap motion, single-back alignments, running back screens, option routes and the three-digit numbering system for the passing game.
Coryell, simply put, was way ahead of his time. Today, most offenses are pass-first. In fact, around the league, several teams are running some version of the “Air Coryell” attack.
The legend will finally get a spot in Canton after 36 years of eligibility.
Chuck Howley, linebacker
A standout linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, Chuck Howley etched his name into history by becoming the first defensive player to earn the Super Bowl MVP award. The Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts, 16-13, in Super Bowl V, but Howley had a performance to remember: He had two interceptions and forced a fumble. Howley also remains the only player from a losing team to win a Super Bowl MVP. This distinction underscored his exceptional on-field prowess and impact.
Howley's career also was marked by his remarkable consistency and durability — he was a five-time All-Pro and was selected to six Pro Bowls. After two seasons with the Chicago Bears and a third missed due to a knee injury, Howley only missed four games in the next 12 seasons with the Cowboys. His versatility shone through as he contributed both in pass coverage (25 interceptions) and run defense (18 forced fumbles), earning a reputation as a complete and formidable linebacker.
Howley played a pivotal role in the Cowboys' victory in Super Bowl VI, coming up with two turnovers (one interception, one fumble recovery) to help secure the franchise's first Super Bowl.
His influence extended beyond individual accolades. He was a cornerstone of the Cowboys' famed "Doomsday Defense," a unit that struck fear into opposing offenses and sparked the team's success during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
His legacy as a trailblazing linebacker, revered team player and Super Bowl MVP has cemented Howley’s place among the sport's all-time greats.
Joe Klecko, defensive tackle
Joe Klecko is known for being a member of an iconic New York Jets defensive line; his 78 sacks are the second-most in franchise history.
Alongside Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam, Klecko was a member of the "New York Sack Exchange," a dominant force in the early and mid-1980s. In 1981, the foursome combined for a team-record 66 sacks, including a league-leading 20.5 from Klecko.
During his tenure with the Jets, he secured four Pro Bowl selections, two First-Team All-Pro honors and the UPI AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1981.
A collegiate walk-on and sixth-round draft pick, Klecko is used to working for his accolades. After a 35-year wait, Klecko can call himself a Hall of Famer.
Darrelle Revis, cornerback
There was never any doubt Darrelle Revis was going to end up in the Hall of Fame. Revis finished his career as a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time First-Team All-Pro and Super Bowl XLIX champion. He made the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team. The Jets inducted him into their Ring of Honor in 2022.
Now he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
>>READ: NFL Hall of Fame Profile: Is Darrelle Revis Greatest Cornerback of All Time?
Revis was the best cornerback of his era and helped elevate a good Rex Ryan–coached defense to a new level. His ability to shut down any receiver lined up opposite him earned the moniker "Revis Island," a location that entertained many guests but few receptions.
In 2009, Revis held opponents to just 48 receptions and led the league with 31 passes defended, which earned him Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Ken Riley, cornerback
Ken Riley fashioned an outstanding career as a cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals. His ability to read plays and anticipate passes allowed him to amass a remarkable 65 interceptions, ranking fifth in NFL history.
Despite his consistent excellence and impact on the field, he was often overlooked, perhaps because he began his career in 1969 in a small market for a year-old team. Riley never garnered a Pro Bowl selection and was selected First-Team All-Pro once at age 36 in his final season (1983).
Riley further enhanced his legacy through his successful transition to coaching after his playing career, showcasing his deep understanding of the game. His impressive interception record, combined with his contributions to the sport as a player and coach, solidified his candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Joe Thomas, left tackle
Most individuals reach the Hall of Fame through a combination of strong individual and team efforts. What makes Joe Thomas' induction special is that during his 11-year career with the Cleveland Browns, the team won just 48 games.
Nonetheless, Thomas proved dominant at left tackle. Despite the revolving door at both coach and quarterback, Thomas made the Pro Bowl 10 times and earned First-Team All-Pro six times.
Thomas set what is believed to be an NFL record by playing 10,363 consecutive offensive snaps during his career.
Zach Thomas, linebacker
Zach Thomas was a consistent and dominant force in the league, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors five times. Known for his remarkable tackling ability and football IQ, Thomas led the league in tackles multiple times and surpassed 128 tackles in 10 of his 13 seasons.
He was the heart of the Miami Dolphins' defense for more than a decade; his leadership on and off the field earned him the respect of teammates and foes alike.
Despite being undersized for his position, the 5-foot-11 Thomas' determination and work ethic propelled him to become one of the game's all-time great linebackers. His impressive stats, accolades and impact on the game earned him a spot in Canton.
DeMarcus Ware, linebacker
DeMarcus Ware was exceptional from the moment he entered the league. Behind an eight-sack campaign, Ware took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors — and he never looked back.
Ware made the Pro Bowl nine times, was a four-time First-Team All-Pro and made the Hall of Fame's All-2000s Team.
The longtime Cowboy added a Super Bowl ring to his list of accomplishments after leaving Dallas to team up with Peyton Manning in Denver. In Super Bowl L, Ware put on a show, racking up two sacks, four quarterback hits and three solo tackles in the Broncos' 24-10 victory against the Carolina Panthers.
After just two years on the ballot, Ware will be donning a gold jacket as a member of the Hall of Fame.
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