Former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has reached the next step of his path toward the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Hall announced Wednesday night that Harrison is officially a modern-era finalist for induction in 2024. He and 14 others will undergo one final round of voting to see who gets a gold jacket and a bust in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Harrison played 15 seasons in the National Football League, the final six of which came with the Patriots. He had already established himself as an elite strong safety with the San Diego Chargers, earning a First Team All-Pro selection in 1998.
But Harrison took his career to new heights in New England, where he earned his second First Team All-Pro nod and won consecutive Super Bowl championships in 2003 and 2004. An immediate cornerstone of a dominating Patriots defense, Harrison played a key role in complementing an emerging Tom Brady en route to establishing the NFL’s newest dynasty.
Meanwhile, another Patriots great needs to keep waiting for his chance to go to Canton. Former Patriots and Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork was not named a finalist for 2024, after being named a semifinalist.
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-23. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Wilfork played 13 NFL seasons, 11 with the Patriots. He bookended his Patriots career with Super Bowl championships, in 2004 and 2014, and played in two others.
A dominating force at the nose tackle position, Wilfork heavily impacted games without having to rack up counting stats. He constantly required attention from multiple blockers and often beat them with his rare athleticism and agility for a 325-pound defender. He was also remarkably durable, missing more than three games just once in his 13 NFL seasons.
Wilfork was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame after being voted in by fans. Harrison became a Patriots Hall of Famer in 2019, and has long had a case to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He may not finally be inducted in 2024, but his breakthrough to the finals is a strong sign that he’ll eventually get in.
Read below for a quick look at the rest of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists. Three defensive linemen did what Wilfork could not and made it past the semifinals. The official inductees for 2024 will be announced in a ceremony on Feb. 8.
WR Andre Johnson
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 16: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 16, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The total package at outside receiver, Johnson was a two-time First Team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, mostly with the Texans. Johnson is 11th all-time in both career receptions (1,062) and receiving yards (14,185).
WR Reggie Wayne
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 26: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts runs down the sideline on a 57-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 26, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
A Colt throughout his career, Reggie Wayne is best known for his time as a prolific go-to target for Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. Wayne was a one-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, and led the NFL with 1,510 receiving yards in 2007. In New England, Wayne is known as a nemesis on the field and an infamously brief stint in Patriots training camp.
WR Torry Holt
MINNEAPOLIS – DECEMBER 11: Wide receiver Torry Holt #81 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball against the Minnesota Vikings on December 11, 2005 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Holt has been on the Hall of Fame ballot for 10 years, and this is his fifth time as a finalist. He’s best known for his time playing with Kurt Warner for the St. Louis Rams, including a Super Bowl championship in his rookie year in 1999 and a loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.
WR/KR Devin Hester
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – FEBRUARY 04: Kick returner Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears returns the opening kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Hester never made a great impact as a wide receiver, but he’s widely considered one of the best returners to ever play. Hester’s 20 combined return touchdowns (14 punts, 6 kicks) are the most in NFL history. So, if anyone will ever make Canton just for his return game, it’s Hester.
RB Fred Taylor
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 23: Running back Fred Taylor #28 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rushes upfield against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Fred Taylor is one of the most productive running backs of his era. He consistently ranked in the top-10 in most rushing categories, and his 2,824 career touches rank 26th all-time. Taylor played the final two seasons of his career with the Patriots.
TE Antonio Gates
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 23: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers tosses the ball after a 4 yard touchdown reception in the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 23, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
A red zone machine throughout his career, Gates and former Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers formed one of the NFL’s most productive duos of the modern era. Gates was a three-time First Team All-Pro and his 116 career receiving touchdowns rank seventh all-time.
DE Julius Peppers
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 28: Julius Peppers #90 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after a defensive stop against the Indianapolis Colts during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 28, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
One of the most dominating forces of his era, Peppers earned three First Team All-Pro nods during the first half of his career with the Panthers. He is fifth all-time in career sacks with 159.5.
DE Jared Allen
MINNEAPOLIS – OCTOBER 05: Defensive end Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after a sack during the Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers on October 5, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Another sack machine, Allen was a four-time First Team All-Pro between his time with the Chiefs and Vikings. Allen led the league in sacks twice, including a ridiculous 22 in the 2011 season.
DE Dwight Freeney
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 26: Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a sack against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Another nemesis for Tom Brady’s Patriots during the Peyton Manning era, Freeney was one of the league’s most consistent pass-rushing threats for most of his career. Freeney earned three First Team All-Pro selections during his time in Indianapolis.
LB Patrick Willis
SAN FRANCISCO – DECEMBER 14: Linebacker Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after sacking Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on December 14, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Willis played just eight NFL seasons before suddenly retiring at age 29, but he made the most of his career with the 49ers. Willis was named a First Team All-Pro five times in his first six seasons, as arguably the best inside linebacker of his era.
DB Darren Woodson
28 Oct 2001 : Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys won 17-3. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Allsport
Woodson is one of the longest-running names on the ballot, becoming a finalist for the second time in his 16th year of eligibility. Woodson was a three-time Super Bowl champion and First Team All-Pro with the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s.
DB Eric Allen
PHILADELPHIA Ð SEPTEMBER 19: Linebacker Eric Allen #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Washington Redskins during a NFL game on September 19, 1993 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Redskins 34-31. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Eric Allen has been eligible for a whopping 18 years, but this is his first year as a finalist. He’s best known for his time with the Eagles, where he earned an All-Pro selection in 1989 and led the NFL with four defensive touchdowns in 1993.
OT Willie Anderson
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: Willie Anderson #71 of the Cincinnati Bengals blocks the line during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 30, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bengals defeated the Steelers 24-20. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
The only offensive tackle among the 2024 finalists, Anderson spent 12 of his 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He closed strong, earning three straight First Team All-Pro nods from 2004-06.
OG Jahri Evans
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 23: Jahri Evans #73 of the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium on December 23, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Evans is best known for protecting future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees as a left guard for the Saints. He was named a First Team All-Pro in four straight seasons from 2009-12, a sure sign that he could get in some day.
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