Seven new members will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this afternoon in Canton, Ohio. The ceremonies begin at noon Eastern Time.
Below is where every honoree played high school football. Florida leads the way with two former players – Devin Hester of Suncoast and Andre Johnson of Miami, Sr. High. Connecticut, North Carolina Ohio, Tennessee and Texas high school football will be represented today.
Pro Football Hall of Fame – Class of 2024
Dwight Freeney – Bloomfield HS (Connecticut)
Pro Career – Defensive End — 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego
Bloomfield retired Freeney’s No. 44 after an outstanding career as a two-way starter (defensive end and tight end) for the Warhawks. He graduated with a then Connecticut state record 60 sacks. Freeney finished with 254 tackles and was named an All-American by USA TODAY.
During his All-State senior season, he was part of a defense that scored 12 touchdowns.
1997 Connecticut All-State Football Team
Freeney was a goalie on the school’s soccer team during his freshman year, winning a varsity letter. But, he quit the sport after one year to play football. He was also a four-year letterman in baseball and basketball.
Randy Gradishar – Champion High School (Ohio)
Pro Career – Linebacker — 1974-1983 Denver Broncos
Gradishar was a three-year starter in football and basketball at Champion. He was all-league and all-county in both sports. Randy holds the school record blocked shots all-time (44) and the single game record for rebounds with 26.
Devin Hester – Suncoast High School (Florida)
Pro Career – Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver — 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2015 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens, 2016 Seattle Seahawks
It comes as no surprise that Hester was a football and track & field standout at Suncoast High. After his senior season, Hester was named a Parada Magazine All-American. The running back, receiver, return specialist and defensive back was ranked as Florida‘s top prospect and the No. 6 overall college football prospect in the nation.
As a long jumper was considered one of the best in America. He was also a sprinter, competing in the 60- and 100-meter dashes.
Andre Johnson – Miami Senior High School (Florida)
Pro Career – Wide Receiver — 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
Johnson was a Parade All-American after catching 32 balls for 931 yards during his senior season for an average of 29.1 yards per catch.
Steve McMichael – Freer High School (Texas)
Pro Career – Defensive Tackle — 1980 New England Patriots, 1981-1993 Chicago Bears, 1994 Green Bay Packers
In his senior season at Freer High School, McMichael lettered in six sports — baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis and track. On the baseball field, McMichael was good enough as a catcher to be offered a minor league contract by the St. Louis Cardinals.
In a 2021 interview with the Caller Times, Freer head coach Tommy Roberts said, “He was cut from a different cloth. He was a terror in the making. You could see it coming. He was just young. They hit as a pup, they’ll hit as a dog.
It was reported that McMichael played wherever he was needed defensively, and even played fullback and tight end on offense. He was also the team’s kicker, handling kickoffs, extra points and field goals.
McMichael played on the Freer varsity from 1973 to 1975, helping lead the program to a 30-3-2 record.
Julius Peppers – Southern Nash High School (North Carolina)
Pro Career – Defensive End — 2002-2009 Carolina Panthers, 2010-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2016 Green Bay Packers, 2017-2018 Carolina Panthers
Before arriving at Southern Nash, Peppers had never played football. He learned quickly, becoming a weapon on both sides of the ball as a running back and defensive lineman. He finished his career with over 3,500 yards rushing with 38 touchdowns while being one of the best defensive linemen in the state.
Peppers performance as a senior led to Parade magazine naming him an All-American.
On the basketball court, Peppers was good enough to be named an all-conference performer at power forward. He tallied 1,661 career points with over 950 rebounds.
In track and field, as a sprinter, Peppers helped Southern Nash win a North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3A state championship in the 4X400 relay.
Patrick Willis – Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central HS (Tennessee)
Pro Career – Linebacker — 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
Willis, a 3-star college football recruit, was a two-time All-State selection. The Hollow-Rock-Bruceton Central High School alum is also the first person in Tennessee state history nominated for both the Mr. Football Award for a Lineman (as a linebacker) and the Mr. Football Award for a Back (as a tailback) in the same season.
