Syracuse, N.Y. -- Former Syracuse star defensive end Dwight Freeney will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, the NFL announced during its annual honors show on Thursday night.
Freeney will be one of seven enshrined in Canton this year, joining Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael.
Freeney will become the eighth Syracuse player and the ninth Syracuse alum in the Hall of Fame, joining Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Al Davis, Marvin Harrison, Floyd Little, John Mackey, Art Monk and Jim Ringo. Syracuse is tied with Pittsburgh for sixth all-time among schools with alums in the Hall of Fame.
The award is the latest in a string of them for Freeney who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this past year and will have his jersey retired by Syracuse next year.
Freeney’s senior year in 2001 was one of the most dominant defensive seasons in Syracuse history. He totaled 17.5 sacks and forced eight fumbles. The Orange won 10 games that season, a number the Orange wouldn’t match again until 2018.
Freeney’s most memorable performance likely came a year earlier, when he sacked Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick 4.5 times and set the school’s single-game record.
Freeney ranks 18th on the NFL’s all-time sacks list (since 1982) with 125.5 over a 16-year NFL career. He won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts and appeared in two others.
The NFL will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony this year on Aug. 3.
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