It has been a long time coming, but Indianapolis Colts legend Dwight Freeney is about to become a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The All-Pro edge-rusher, who last played in 2017 with the Detroit Lions, had a storied 16-year career with the majority of it taking place in Indianapolis.
One of Freeney’s former teammates, Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, recently joined “The Pat McAfee Show” to chat about how great Freeney was during their time together in Indy.
“Dwight Freeney, the best teammate, what a great player, honored to see him go in. … I was thankful every day of my career that he was on my team,” Manning said.
“Dwight Freeney was one of the best teammates I ever had and I’m honored to see him go into the Hall of Fame..
I was thankful every day of my career that he was on my team” ~ Peyton Manning #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/MotZFB9Qud
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 18, 2024
Freeney was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts out of Syracuse with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
He’d go on to play 11 years with the Colts and was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. He led the NFL in sacks and forced fumbles on separate occasions.
He and five-time Pro Bowler Robert Mathis formed arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the league for a decade.
Without Freeney, who knows if Manning and the Colts break through to win a Super Bowl in the 2006 season for the city of Indianapolis?
After Freeney’s time with the Colts was up, he joined the San Diego Chargers for two years (2013-14).
He would finish his NFL career with short stints for the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and Lions.
A member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, he finished his career with 125.5 sacks and 47 forced fumbles.
Now, Freeney will be taking his rightful place in Canton.
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