Dwight Freeney around a month away from Hall of Fame induction
(WISH) — It was announced in February that Colts legend Dwight Freeney was going to be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, he’s just around a month away from induction.
He tried preparing for the emotions he would have when he was told he would be in the Hall of Fame, but there was nothing like the actual moment.
“When you actually get that knock and when you’re told, you’re really flushed for emotion and you just feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for all those who helped you get there,” Freeney said.
He was a finalist the year before, but was not voted to be a member of the Hall of Fame. He said there were other Hall of Famers telling him that he was a shoe-in and would be voted in on his first ballot, but it did not happen.
Freeney’s Colts teammate and fellow Colts Ring of Honor member Reggie Wayne has yet to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Wayne was a finalist this year, but not selected for the fifth year in a row.
Freeney said that unfortunately for him, Wayne could be perceived as a product of playing with Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, and that people could be tired of voting in Colts offensive players.
Freeney also said that Wayne proved everyone wrong after Harrison was no longer on the team. Wayne continued dominating despite teams putting a heightened emphasis on slowing him down.
Freeney does think that Wayne will make it eventually, but it’s unfortunate that he has to wait as long as he has.
“Hopefully next year is the year for him, but he definitely deserves to be there,” Freeney said.
Freeney was enshrined to the Colts Ring of Honor in 2019, a year after Wayne, who was enshrined in 2018. Freeney and Wayne’s teammate Dallas Clark will be the newest member in the Colts Ring of Honor, who will be inducted this year.
Freeney played 11 seasons in Indianapolis, racking up 107.5 sacks for the Colts. He was a seven time Pro Bowler and three time first team All-Pro.
He was available on Zoom on Tuesday for the upcoming American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament that he is playing in. It will be taking place Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14.