MIAMI – Two of the greatest Miami Hurricanes in football history will get to rock their well-deserved gold jackets after being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday night.
Return specialist Devin Hester and wide receiver Andre Johnson were among those to be enshrined as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Hester and Johnson are the first Hurricanes to receive the honor since running back Edgerrin James in 2020.
They become the 10th and 11th Hurricanes to enter the Hall of Fame, joining James, Ted Hendricks, Michael Irvin, Jim Kelly, Cortez Kennedy, Ray Lewis, Jim Otto, Ed Reed and Warren Sapp.
During his 10-year career, Hester became the greatest returner in NFL history, setting records for most punt returns for touchdowns (14), and total special teams touchdowns (20 – 5 kickoffs, 14 punts, 1 missed field goal).
He was a four-time Pro Bowler in his 11 seasons with the Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks. Among his most dominant campaigns was his rookie year of 2006, when he had six kick return touchdowns.
Johnson, who was selected with the third pick of the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, had a dominant career with the Houston Texans.
Johnson totaled over 1,000 catches, 14,000 receiving yards and had 70 touchdowns over his illustrious career. He was a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection, two-time Second-Team All-Pro pick and twice led the NFL in receiving yards.
Through Johnson’s 12 seasons with the Texans (2003-14), he became the club’s all-time leader in nearly every receiving category.
Johnson made history as the first Texans player to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Former Hurricane and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne was also a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame but was not selected in the class of 2024.
He will look to become the 12th Hurricanes player to wear the gold jacket.