Darrelle Revis tormented NFL quarterbacks and stranded wide receivers on “Revis Island” for years, and now he’s officially in contention for his gold jacket.
The nominees for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class have been unveiled, and Revis is one of the nine candidates eligible for the first time this year.
While Revis rose to national prominence as a New York Jet in the NFL, his career is deeply tied to Pittsburgh. He grew up in Aliquippa, starring for the Quips in the early 2000s. And he chose to stay home at Pitt when he made his college decision.
In three seasons at Pitt, Revis racked up 80 tackles (66 solo), five tackles for loss, eight interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. He also averaged just over 10 yards per punt return and scored two more touchdowns.
The Jets selected Revis with the 14th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and his illustrious career featured seven Pro Bowl appearances, four first-team All-Pro honors and a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.
In 11 seasons with the Jets, Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs, Revis recorded 496 tackles (411 solo), nine tackles for loss, 29 interceptions (including three returned for touchdowns), 139 pass breakups, forced fumbles and recovered 12.
Revis would be the 10th player in Pitt history to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Jimbo Covert, Mike Ditka, Chris Doleman, Tony Dorsett, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dan Marino, Curtis Martin and Joe Schmidt.
Plum native Pat McAfee and Erie native Bob Sanders are also eligible to be inducted into the Hall of fame this year.
McAfee attended West Virginia, excelling as a punter and kicker, before spending eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a two-time Pro Bowl and one-time All-Pro punter. Sanders attended Iowa before also being drafted by the Colts, spending seven seasons in Indy and earning two All-Pro honors and the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The list of 129 nominees for this year’s Hall of Fame class will be cut to 25 semifinalists in November, 15 finalists will be selected in January and the HoF Selection Committee will decide upon this year’s class.
