Headlined by Albert Lewis, 3 former Chiefs are finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame
.jpg "Former Chiefs players (from left) Albert Lewis, Jared Allen and Darrelle Revis have all made the cut as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.")
Former Chiefs players Albert Lewis, Jared Allen and Darrelle Revis have all made the cut as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.
Lewis, a former cornerback, and Allen, the former defensive end, were drafted by the Chiefs. Revis spent a season as a member of the Chiefs’ secondary at the end of his decorated career as an NFL cornerback. Each was among the group of 15 modern-era finalists unveiled by the Hall on Wednesday evening during a special show on the NFL Network.
Lewis was a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ defense for a decade, spending the bulk of his career in Kansas City.
Over the first 19 years he was eligible as a modern-era candidate, Lewis had been a semifinalist just once before. So he told The Star last week he wasn’t confident he’d make this cut in his last year of eligibility before entering the densely populated senior category, and that he wouldn’t spend time agonizing over it.
In fact, it was news to him when he was reached by telephone Wednesday night after he’d just returned home from hunting hogs on his farm in Mississippi.
“Wow, man, wow,” he said.
While he appreciated “getting confirmation” on his case for the Hall, he never wavered on his belief that he belongs. He just didn’t want to have his hopes dashed again and figured he couldn’t get anything done unless he avoided fixating on it.
“I really wasn’t downplaying it; I was just trying to not get too far ahead of myself,” he said. “I’d rather feel like I’m feeling now than disappointment. I did that early on. I got out of that habit after 20 years.”
Three players made the cut in their first year of eligibility: defensive end Dwight Freeney, Revis and left tackle Joe Thomas.
The finalists initially were among 129 nominees named in September, a group that reduced to 28 semifinalists in November. When it meets later this month, the selection committee may elect up to five modern-era players. Each must receive at least 80% of the vote for election.
The list
Here is the list of modern-era finalists, with their positions, years played and teams:
Jared Allen, DE: 2004-07 Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
Willie Anderson, OT: 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Ronde Barber, DB: 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dwight Freeney, DE: 2002-12 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Detroit Lions, 2017 Seattle Seahawks
Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR: 2006-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens, 2016 Seattle Seahawks
Torry Holt, WR: 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Andre Johnson, WR: 2003-14 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
Albert Lewis, CB: 1983-93 Chiefs, 1994-98 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
Darrelle Revis, CB: 2007-12/2015-16 New York Jets, 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2014 New England Patriots, 2017 Chiefs
Joe Thomas, LT: 2007-17 Cleveland Browns
Zach Thomas, LB: 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys
DeMarcus Ware, LB: 2005-13 Dallas Cowboys, 2014-16 Denver Broncos
Reggie Wayne, WR: 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts
Patrick Willis, LB: 2007-14 San Francisco 49ers
Darren Woodson, S: 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
In addition to the modern-era finalists, the list of senior finalists was revealed Wednesday: Chuck Howley, Joe Klecko and Ken Riley, and contributor/coach finalist Don Coryell.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 will be inducted during the NFL Honors show, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. Central Time on Feb. 9. It will air on NBC, Peacock and NFL Network.
The Star’s Vahe Gregorian contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 4, 2023 at 8:20 PM.