2 Former New Orleans Saints are Semifinalists for Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 25 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists for the Class of 2024 and a couple of former New Orleans Saints players are on that list.

Guard Jahri Evans is on the list for the second straight year. He played for the Saints from 2006 through 2016 and finished his career as a member of the Green Bay Packers in 2017.

Evans was a fourth-round pick by the Saints in 2006 out of Division II Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to being an important member of the Super Bowl XLIV-winning team, Evans was a four-time first-team All-Pro and made six Pro Bowls during his career.

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The other semifinalist who once donned Black & Gold is cornerback Eric Allen. This is his fourth time as a semifinalist (2021-2024).

Allen was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1988 and played there through the 1994 season. He signed a free agent contract with the Saints and played in New Orleans from 1995-97.

He wrapped up his career with the Oakland Raiders, playing from 1998 to 2001.

Allen made one first-team All-Pro team (1989) and the Pro Bowl six times (1989, 1991-1995). His 54 interceptions tie him for 21st in NFL history.

Todd Warshaw/Allsport, Getty Images

The list of Semifinalists, which was announced live today on NFL Network, was reduced from an initial group of 173 nominees announced in September.

What's next in the Selection Process?

The next step includes the list getting trimmed even further -- to 15 Modern-Era Player Finalists. That list increases to 19 Finalists overall with the inclusion of the recommended Nominees of the Hall of Fame's Coach/Contributor Committee and the Seniors Committee.

The Hall of Fame's 50-person Selection Committee will select the Class of 2024 in advance of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The class will be announced live on the "NFL Honors" telecast, which will air on Feb. 8.

There is no set number for any class of enshrinees, but the bylaws do provide that between four and nine new members will be selected.

How does the final vote work?

The Coach/Contributor and Seniors Finalists are voted "yes" or "no" for election at the annual selection meeting and must receive at least 80% support from the Committee to be elected.

The Modern-Era Player Finalists will be reduced during the meeting from 15 to 10, then from 10 to five. The remaining five finalists will be voted on individually, "yes" or "no," and must receive the same 80% positive vote to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

When is the 2024 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024 will be enshrined next August in Canton, Ohio as part of the 2024 Enshrinement Week. The tentative date right now is August 3, 2024.