2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalists Revealed, Featuring Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers as First-Time Nominees

The unveiling of the 25 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2024 by the Pro Football Hall of Fame took place Tuesday, showcasing both first-timers and seasoned players.

Among the notable first-time semifinalists are former San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, former Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, and former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber. Both Gates and Peppers are in their first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame after last playing in 2018. Barber, meanwhile, retired following the 2006 season.

On the other hand, veteran wide receiver Torry Holt, known for his tenure with the St. Louis Rams (now the Los Angeles Rams), secured his tenth appearance on the semifinal list. Former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward also made their eighth semifinal appearances. In total, 18 of the 25 players also made the cut as semifinalists for the Class of 2023.

Here are the 25 modern-era semifinalists:

• Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders

• Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers

• Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens

• Tiki Barber, RB – 1997-2006 New York Giants

• Anquan Boldin, WR – 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions

• Jahri Evans, G – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers

• London Fletcher, LB – 1998-2001 St. Louis Rams, 2002-06 Buffalo Bills, 2007-2013 Washington Redskins

• Dwight Freeney, DE – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions

• Antonio Gates, TE – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers

• Eddie George, RB – 1996-2003 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys

• James Harrison, LB – 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots

• Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots

• Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens

• Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

• Andre Johnson, WR – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans

• Robert Mathis, DE/LB – 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts

• Julius Peppers, DE – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers

• Steve Smith Sr., WR – 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens

• Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots

• Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers

• Ricky Watters, RB – 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks

• Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

• Vince Wilfork, DT – 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans

• Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers

• Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

The Hall of Fame selection process began with a list of 173 modern-era nominees in September. From there, the 50-person selection committee narrowed it down to 25 semifinalists, announced by the Hall of Fame. The list of 25 will then be reduced to 15 finalists, typically revealed in January, before the final vote takes place.

The Class of 2024 will be revealed Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors” telecast, with the enshrinements scheduled for Aug. 1-4, 2024 in Canton, Ohio.