Pro Football Hall of Fame Announces 15 Finalists: Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers in First Year of Eligibility

After announcing a slate of nominees in September, followed by semifinalists in November, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 15 finalists for the class of 2024.

Standouts of the 15-player slate include tight end Antonio Gates and defensive end Julius Peppers, who are both in their first year of eligibility. Other notable players include former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

Hall of Fame consideration requires that a player be retired for five consecutive seasons before they are eligible for nomination.

According to a press release from the Pro Football Hall of Fame, nine of the players have returned to the finalist stage after making it this far last year. Four of the players are finalists for the first time after several years of eligibility, while Peppers and Gates are the only two players in their first year of eligibility.

Although no particular class size is specified, bylaws state that between four and nine new members will be inducted next summer. A nominee must receive 80% "yes" votes from the Selection Committee in order to be elected.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 will be announced publicly on Feb. 8, per the release, and will be enshrined in August 2024. 

Here is the complete list of the Class of 2024 finalists: