Revis, Thomas, Ware headline 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

The 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Thursday at the NFL Honors award show.

The group, headlined by two first-ballot inductees, includes Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, Ronde Barber, and Zach Thomas.

Joe Klecko (seniors category), Ken Riley (seniors category), Chuck Howley (seniors category), and Don Coryell (coaching/contributors category) were also selected for enshrinement.

Darrelle Revis

Cornerback, New York Jets-Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs, 2007-2017

Revis was perhaps the biggest lock in this class. A seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, he was widely regarded as the best cornerback of his generation, and his ability to shut down the best receiver of opposing teams earned him the nickname "Revis Island." Revis' 2009 campaign is considered one of the greatest seasons of all time among corners, as he led the NFL with 31 pass breakups while allowing a 32.3 rating. Revis, who spent eight years with the Jets, also helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX.

Joe Thomas

Offensive tackle, Cleveland Browns, 2007-2017

Speaking of no-brainers, Thomas became the only offensive lineman in history to be selected to 10 straight Pro Bowls to begin a career. He started 167 NFL games during his remarkable stint in Cleveland and played 10,363 consecutive snaps, the longest streak since the league began recording snap counts in 1999. Unfortunately, Thomas, the third overall pick in 2007, never made the playoffs while being the best player on several subpar Browns teams.

DeMarcus Ware

Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys-Denver Broncos, 2005-2016

One of the most disruptive pass-rushers of his generation, Ware checks all the boxes as a Hall of Famer. He ranks ninth all time with 138.5 career sacks, and every eligible player ahead of him on that list is in Canton. He also earned nine Pro Bowl berths and was selected to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. Ware, the Cowboys' all-time sack leader (117), played his final three seasons at a high level in Denver, adding the only missing piece of his remarkable career with a win in Super Bowl 50.

Zach Thomas

Linebacker, Miami Dolphins-Dallas Cowboys, 1996-2008

The wait is over for Thomas, who'd been a finalist in each of the last three seasons. But don't let the delay fool you - Thomas posted an excellent NFL career. A member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, he earned seven Pro Bowl nods and five first-team All-Pro berths. The former fifth-round pick, who spent 12 seasons with the Dolphins, retired with 1,734 tackles under his belt.

Ronde Barber

Defensive back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1997-2012

Another key member of the Buccaneers' vaunted 2002 defense is heading to Canton. Barber might not have been the most talented defensive back of his generation, but he built one of the most successful careers at the position thanks to his consistency. The former third-round pick, who appeared in 241 games, is one of only two players with at least 40 interceptions and 20 career sacks, along with Charles Woodson. A five-time Pro Bowler, Barber was a key starter in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl XXXVII title, the first in franchise history. He's the fourth Bucs defender from 2002 to get a bust in Canton after Warren Sapp (Class of 2013), Derrick Brooks (2014), and John Lynch (2021).

Ken Riley (seniors category)

Cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals, 1969-1983

Riley was one of the most underrated players of his time. A member of the Bengals Ring of Honor, the three-time All-Pro racked up 65 interceptions throughout his career, the fifth most in NFL history and second most for players who played exclusively cornerback. He had at least one interception in each of his 15 seasons in the league.

Chuck Howley (seniors category)

Linebacker, Chicago Bears-Dallas Cowboys, 1958-1973

Howley was drafted by the Bears in the first round but traded to the Cowboys after only two seasons in Chicago. In Dallas, he put on a show for America's Team, earning six Pro Bowl berths and five first-team All-Pro selections and helping the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI. Howley is also the only player on a losing team to be named Super Bowl MVP after Dallas lost to the Colts in Super Bowl V.

Joe Klecko (seniors category)

Defensive lineman, New York Jets-Indianapolis Colts, 1977-1988

One of the best defensive players in Jets history, Klecko made an impact both as a defensive end and tackle, being voted to the Pro Bowl four times and an All-Pro on three occasions. He was a cornerstone of the "New York Sack Exchange" - the nickname given to the Jets' defensive line during the early 1980s - and led the NFL with 20.5 sacks in 1981.

Don Coryell (coaching/contributors category)

Head coach, St. Louis Cardinals-San Diego Chargers, 1973-1986

Coryell innovated football's passing game with the "Air Coryell," a revolutionary offense that attacked defenses downfield and introduced the concept of a tight end that ran wide receiver-type routes while putting several skill-position players in motion before the snap. Under Coryell, the Chargers led the league in passing yards from 1978-83. He also coached San Diego State and was the first head coach to win at least 100 games at both the collegiate and professional levels.