Former Colts star Dwight Freeney named to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WFIE) – The NFL tonight announced former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney as an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The Class of 2024 will be formally enshrined in Canton, Ohio this August.

“Dwight built himself into one of the game’s most feared pass rushers with his trademark spin move,” said Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay. “He provided Colts fans with many thrilling moments as one of pro football’s all-time greats, and he truly deserves this honor.”

Freeney becomes the third Colts defensive lineman to be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Art Donovan (1968) and Gino Marchetti (1972). Freeney was originally selected by Indianapolis in the first round (11th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. He was a member of the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI victory and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2019. Freeney retired from the NFL as a member of Indianapolis in 2018.

Over 16 NFL seasons, Freeney played in 218 career games (157 starts) with the Colts (2002-2012), San Diego Chargers (2013-14), Arizona Cardinals (2015), Atlanta Falcons (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2017) and Detroit Lions (2017). He totaled 341 tackles (292 solo), 63.0 tackles for loss, 125.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, 47 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Freeney was a three-time Associated Press First Team All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.

Freeney ranks 18th in NFL history in sacks and fifth in forced fumbles (since 1994). He also appeared in 22 postseason contests (19 starts) and compiled 38 tackles (30 solo), 6.0 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Freeney is tied for sixth in league history in career postseason sacks.

In 11 seasons in Indianapolis, Freeney saw action in 163 regular season games (143 starts) and compiled 307 tackles (267 solo), 48.0 tackles for loss, 107.5 sacks, 14 passes defensed, 44 forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He ranks second in team history in career sacks. Freeney registered at least 1.0 sack in 77 games and had 25 multi-sack games, which each rank second-most in team history. He compiled seven seasons with 10.0 or more sacks, including a career-high 16.0 sacks in 2004 (second-most in single-season team history). As a rookie in 2002, Freeney set the Colts rookie sack record with 13.0.

Joining Freeney in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 are linebacker Randy Gradishar, punt returner/kick returner/wide receiver Devin Hester, wide receiver Andre Johnson (played for Colts in 2015), defensive tackle Steve McMichael, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Patrick Willis.

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