(670 The Score) Sixteen former Bears players on Tuesday were named modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024.
That group includes past Hall of Fame finalists Devin Hester and Jared Allen as well as first-time nominees Brandon Marshall, Julius Peppers and Josh Sitton. The other former Bears who are among the 173 nominees are Lance Briggs, Olin Kreutz, Charles Tillman, Thomas Jones, Ruben Brown, Ted Washington, Brad Maynard, Muhsin Muhammad, Doug Flutie, Brendon Ayanbadejo and Glyn Milburn.
Hester was a finalist each of the past two years but wasn't selected for the Hall of Fame. He's the NFL's all-time leader in return touchdowns with 20, including 14 punt return touchdowns. Hester played eight of his 11 NFL seasons with Chicago, recording all but one of his return touchdowns for the Bears.
As part of his 13-year NFL career, Marshall had 279 receptions and 31 touchdowns over three seasons in Chicago. Peppers played four years with the Bears, recording 37.5 sacks for the team. He logged 159.5 sacks over 17 NFL seasons. Sitton started 25 games for the Bears across 2016-'17. He was a four-time Pro Bowl guard who played 11 years in the NFL, including eight with the Packers.
Bears great Steve “Mongo” McMichael is also in consideration for this 2024 Hall of Fame class as a senior finalist, which was announced in August. McMichael’s induction is expected to be announced in February.
Thirty former Bears have been enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the most of any team in the NFL. The most recent former Chicago players selected were Jimbo Covert and Ed Sprinkle in 2020.
The Hall of Fame will reduce its list of nominees to 25 semifinalists in November. The class will be unveiled during Super Bowl weekend in February.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.