8 Players Selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023

On January 17, 2023, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 49-person Selection Committee selected eight former National Football League (NFL) players and one coach—Don Coryell—to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. Below is a closer look at the eight players who received at least 80 percent of the required votes for induction. 

1. Rondé Barber 

Rondé Barber, a three-time HOF finalist in his sixth year of eligibility, finally earned his rightful place in football history with his induction. The cornerback and safety played 16 seasons, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, from 1997 to 2012, during which time he recorded 47 interceptions for 923 return yards and eight touchdowns, all of which are Buccaneers franchise records. He is also the NFL's all-time leader for sacks among cornerbacks with 28. 

2. Chuck Howley 

It took 45 years, but linebacker Chuck Howley was finally inducted into the HOF in 2023. A first-round pick of the Chicago Bears in the 1958 NFL Draft, Howley played 180 games through 15 seasons with the Bears and Dallas Cowboys. The six-time Pro Bowl linebacker was the MVP of Super Bowl V and was the first non-quarterback to win the award. 

3. Joe Klecko 

A 6-foot-3 defensive end and nose tackle drafted in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Joe Klecko played 12 seasons with the Jets and Indianapolis Colts and was Defensive Player of the Year in 1981. He was the second player in league history to earn a Pro Bowl selection at three different positions and is one of five Jets players to have their jersey number retired. 

4. Darrelle Revis 

A first-year HOF eligible cornerback out of the University of Pittsburgh, Darrelle Revis was drafted by the Jets 14th overall in 2007 and played 11 seasons with New York, Tampa Bay, New England, and Kansas City. He was the Jets MVP in 2009 and 2011 and earned first-team All-Pro distinction in four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. Revis was also selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s. 

5. Ken Riley 

Ken Riley, a cornerback who played 15 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1969-83, recorded 65 interceptions throughout his career and led the league in that category in 1976, 1982, and 1983.  

6. Joe Thomas 

A first-year HOF eligible offensive tackle, Joe Thomas spent his entire 11-year career with the Cleveland Browns, during which time played an NFL record 10,363 consecutive snaps and allowed only 30 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl every year during his first 10 seasons in the NFL. 

7. Zach Thomas 

A linebacker known for his impressive career with the Miami Dolphins, Zach Thomas led the team in tackles 10 times and concluded his career with 17 interceptions and 20.5 sacks. The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker was the first Dolphins player to win the Leadership Award three times.  

8. DeMarcus Ware 

Linebacker and defensive end DeMarcus Ware earned the HOF induction in his second year of eligibility. The 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft was the Cowboys' leader in sacks for eight years from 2005 to 2012 and led the NFL in the category in 2008 and 2010. He is the Cowboys' all-time leader with 117 career sacks.