Who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2023 class? When is the enshrinement ceremony?
In the 2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, we’ll see eight former players and one former coach will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Though many would have been focused on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the week-long celebration of football’s greats actually comes to a climax this weekend when the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony itself occurs. Nine men will see their names become a permanent part of football’s storied history.
The 2023 Hall of Fame Class
With the 2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony set for 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 5th at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the stage is set for one of the sport’s greatest honors. Where the Class of 2023 itself is concerned, it only takes a quick glance at this year’s inductees to see that it’s heavy on defense. From lockdown cornerbacks to brutal pass rushers, this is a group that punished offenses during their careers. Of course, there is also one coach among the nine men who are about to receive gold jackets. So without any further delays, let’s take a look at the 2023 Hall of Fame Class.
Rondé Barber: Defensive Back
A lifelong Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Rondé Barber was menacing as he was mobile which is precisely why he registered 47 regular-season interceptions in his career and remains to this day the all-time sack leader for cornerbacks.
Darrelle Revis: Cornerback
The corner who manned Revis Island, Darrelle Revis, made his name with the New York Jets as he established himself as one of the great cornerbacks of the game. His 29 career interceptions stand as a testament to that fact.
Ken Riley: Cornerback
Yet another cornerback in the class, Ken Riley, stands at No. 5 on the all-time interceptions list. Ask any Cincinnati Bengals fan and they’ll tell you he was a son of the soil, even though he was born in Florida. Indeed, having spent his entire career in Ohio, it makes sense that he led the team in interceptions on seven occasions.
Don Coryell: Coach
The single coach in the class is without a doubt an absolute legend. Having coached both the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers during the 1970s and ‘80s, Don Coryell was a visionary who can be credited with popularizing the passing game that we enjoy today.
Zach Thomas: Linebacker
When you consider the fact that he registered more than 100 tackles in each one of his first 11 NFL seasons, it becomes obvious that Zach Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowler, was truly a monster in defense.
DeMarcus Ware: Defensive End
What can one say about the Dallas Cowboys all-time leading sack machine, DeMarcus Ware? His 138.5 career sacks stand as a reminder of just how prolific he was in the league that he twice led in sacks.
Joe Thomas: Offensive Tackle
When one thinks of Joe Thomas, it’s hard not to think of phrases like ‘Ironman’ or ‘Man of Steel.’ Consider for a moment that Thomas is the all-time leader in consecutive snaps with 10,363. Think about that for a moment. In his 11-year career, he only allowed 30 sacks.
Joe Klecko: Defensive Line
Versatile is the word that best suits this defensive linchpin. Joe Klecko was an integral part of the now famous ‘New York Sack Exchange’ which formed the backbone of the Jets’ defensive line.
Chuck Howley: Linebacker
All you need to know about this five-time First-Team All-Pro can be wrapped up in the fact that he was the first-ever defensive player to win the Super Bowl MVP award.