The Green Bay Packers are one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional sports. In their 100+ year history, many players that have donned that Green and Gold (or Navy and Gold) have been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There are others, such as wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, that should be in, but are not.
Last year, the voters righted a 20-year wrong by finally inducting safety and Lambeau Leap inventor LeRoy Butler for induction to the Hall of Fame. While they have yet to right the wrong of Sharpe’s exclusion, there is still hope that he will get inducted soon.
On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 modern era finalists for induction in 2024. Each former player must receive at least 80% of votes from the committee in order to be inducted.
This year’s finalists include two former Packers players who played vital roles on the team in the mid-to-late 2010s.
Former Green Bay Packers Julius Peppers and Jahri Evans Are Finalists for Induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Among the 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame are former Packers players Julius Peppers and Jahri Evans. Peppers played for the Packers from 2014-2016, recording 25.0 sacks with the team during that time. His 159.5 sacks officially rank fourth all time in NFL history. He made the final Pro Bowl of his career with Green Bay in 2015.
During his 17-year career, Peppers made nine Pro Bowls, was named First Team All Pro three times, won Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, and was named to both the Hall of Fame 2000s Team and Hall of Fame 2010s team.
Peppers also played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears during his career.
Jahri Evans, an offensive guard, finished his NFL career with the Packers in 2017. Prior to his lone season in Green Bay, he spent 11 years with the New Orleans Saints.
Evans is a six-time Pro Bowler and was named to four First Team All Pro’s. He also won the Super Bowl with the Saints in 2009.
The full list of finalists can be found below:
- Eric Allen
- Jared Allen
- Willie Anderson
- Jahri Evans
- Dwight Freeney
- Antonio Gates
- Rodney Harrison
- Devin Hester
- Tory Holt
- Andre Johnson
- Julius Peppers
- Fred Taylor
- Reggie Wayne
- Patrick Willis
- Darren Woodson
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
