Syracuse Football: ‘Cuse legend Dwight Freeney cements status as an NFL legend, too

What a career for former Syracuse football star Dwight Freeney, at both the college and professional levels.

The 6-foot-1, 268-pound Freeney, a native of Bloomfield, Conn., was a first-team All-American during his time on the Hill. The elite defensive end/outside linebacker would go on to become a Super Bowl champion during his 16-year National Football League career.

Last year, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 class, and honor he absolutely deserved.

Then, this past Thursday, word came out that Freeney is one of seven people who are part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. This, too, is a well-deserved achievement for Freeney.

A huge congratulations from all of us in Orange Nation to Dwight!

Former Syracuse football player Dwight Freeney is headed to the Pro Hall of Fame.

Freeney and his fellow class of 2024 honorees will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio, according to a press release.

During his stellar NFL career, Freeney suited up for the Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions.

Per SU Athletics, he is No. 18 in NFL history with 125.5 career sacks. He received AFC defensive player of the year honors and was named an All-Pro on multiple occasions.

While with the Colts, he helped them defeat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He appeared in two more Super Bowls, with the Colts and the Falcons.

Freeney is the ninth former Syracuse football player to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining other ‘Cuse legends such as Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Marvin Harrison, Floyd Little and Art Monk, among others.

Last December, Freeney became the 10th former Orange star to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He played for the ‘Cuse from 1998 to 2001, and in his senior year, he was a unanimous first-team All-American.

In that 2001 campaign, Freeney led the country in sacks, with 17.5, and was named the Big East Conference’s co-defensive player of the year.

During his tenure in Central New York, he helped lead Syracuse football to berths in three bowl games and holds the NCAA record for career sacks per game, at 1.61.

In the 2002 NFL Draft, the Colts selected him with the 11th overall pick in the first round.