Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor had been a semifinalist in the Pro Football Hall of Fame nomination process before. However, he had never reached the final stage of voting... until now. He's finally made the cut and is one of 15 players who have a shot at being enshrined as part of the HOF's 2024 class.
The HOF committee announced the 15 finalists for induction Wednesday. Besides Taylor, Antonio Gates (tight end), Julius Peppers (defensive end), Jahri Evans (offensive guard), Dwight Freeney (defensive end), Devin Hester (return specialist), Andre Johnson (wide receiver), Jared Allen, (defensive end), Eric Allen (cornerback), Willie Anderson (offensive tackle), Torry Holt (wide receiver), Rodney Harrison (defensive end), Reggie Wayne (wide receiver), Patrick Willis (linebacker), and Darren Woodson (safety) made the next round of voting.
Fred Taylor isn't the only player who's a first-time finalist. Allen, Evan, Gates, Harrison, and Peppers, also made the cut for the first time ever. Something noteworthy is that Taylor is the only running back who advanced to the finalist stage this year. On the other hand, there's a logjam at wide receiver and defensive end. This could boost Taylor's chances of, once and for all, getting a gold jacket.
Also of note is that Torry Holt was named a finalist. Even though he spent most of his career with the Los Angeles (then St. Louis) Rams and was known as a key cog in The Greatest Show on Turf, he played his last NFL season in Jacksonville.
If Holt were to get enshrined, he would most likely do it as a Ram but it's worth noting he also suited up for the Jaguars, even if it's a footnote in his career. Here's the Pro Football Hall of Fame official announcement on Twitter:
A @Jaguars great who is already a member of the University of Florida's Hall of Fame and the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 28, 2023
Fred Taylor is a Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/fUKqUoeaZK
Jaguars players take to social media to congratulate Fred Taylor for being a HOF finalist
Currently, Tony Boselli is the only Jaguar whose bust is in Canton. Fred Taylor could join him soon, so current and former Jaguars wasted no time congratulating "Fragile Fred" for becoming a finalist. Trevor Lawrence took to Twitter after catching wind of the news.
@Trevorlawrencee thank you…GODs timing is the best!!! Always rooting for you my guy. Keep going 🫡
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) December 28, 2023
Fellow running back Travis Etienne, who paid tribute to Taylor in Week 2 of the 2023 season by wearing his jersey, also congratulated Taylor.
Ouu 1 step closer to that gold jacket 🤞 #DUUUVAL Legend ! https://t.co/uU7uaujuXi
— Travis Etienne Jr⁶𓅓 (@swaggy_t1) December 28, 2023
Former teammate Leon Searcy, who opened running lanes for him, vouched for Taylor, "Freddy T among the greats to get HOF recognition. Don't ask why, just watch the film. I truly believe he's one of the best to ever do it. Give him daylight and your left with a cloud of dust."
Freddy T among the greats to get HOF recognition. Don't ask why, just watch the film. I truly believe he's one of the best to ever do it. Give him daylight and your left with a cloud of dust.
— Leon Searcy Jr (@LeonSearcyJr1) December 28, 2023
Of course, Tony Boselli couldn't miss the opportunity to congratulate Taylor and tell him that nobody deserves it more than him.
“Nobody deserves it more than you.”@TonyBoselli with a special message for @FredTaylorMade 🤝 pic.twitter.com/bnLia3iRJs
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 28, 2023
If Fred Taylor does get enshrined in the Hall of Fame, wide receiver Jimmy Smith will be the only Jaguar left that needs to be (and deserves to be ) inducted. It has taken a while, but the Jacksonville Jaguars and their legends are at last getting the recognition they deserve.