Jared Allen, one of the more persistent pass rushers in NFL history, is back bullrushing the doorstep to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a finalist for the third straight year, the Hall announced Wednesday night as it unveiled the 15 modern-era finalists that will be considered for the Class of 2023.
"It would mean so much, but it's something that's out of my control," said Allen, the former Viking who joined the team's Ring of Honor this season. "You have to be patient and honor the process because it's amazing just to be on the list of finalists. I'm hoping for the best."
Joining Allen as finalists in their first year of eligibility are Colts edge rusher Dwight Freeney, Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. The other finalists are: Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson, Bears kick returner Devin Hester, Rams receiver Torry Holt, Texans receiver Andre Johnson, Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, Cowboys and Broncos edge rusher DeMarcus Ware, Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, Cowboys safety Darren Woodson, Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber and Chiefs cornerback Albert Lewis, who retired in 1998 and is a finalist for the first time in his final year as a modern-era candidate.
The Hall's 49-member selection committee will meet virtually this month to pick the Class of 2023. Also being considered at that time are three senior finalists — Cowboys linebacker Chuck Howley, Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko and Bengals cornerback Ken Riley — and one coach/contributor finalist, Cardinals and Chargers coach and offensive innovator Don Coryell.
Selectors will vote yes or no on the senior and coach/contributor finalists, with 80% yes votes needed for induction. Selectors will then cut the modern-era list from 15 to 10 and then 10 to five. The final five receive yes or no votes with 80% yes votes needed for induction.
Allen finds himself in a positional logjam with Freeney and Ware, who's a finalist for the second straight year. Ware made the final 10 last year. Allen didn't make the final 10 in his first two times as a finalist.
Ware ranks ninth on the NFL's official career sack list with 138 ½, while Allen ranks 12th with 136 and Freeney 18th with 125 ½.
Freeney, however, won a Super Bowl and was a member of the NFL's All-Decade first team of the 2000s. Ware also won a Super Bowl and was second-team All-Decade in the 2000s. Allen didn't make an All-Decade team and lost in his only Super Bowl appearance as a Panther to Ware's Broncos. That was Allen's final NFL game.
