Better League Madden 24 Hall of Fame Induction

September 24, 2024 lucky

The Hall of Fame is a staple of Better League culture. We have long honored the top AI players that have come through the years. It’s an important piece of history that follows us through our community. But that doesn’t mean the selection process has always been without controversy. I and many of my fellow leaguemates over the years have at times been concerned the process turns into too much of a popularity contest and only rewards those whose name people recognize.

With that in mind, I offered to Alex a way of overhauling our process in order to make sure we were actually taking the full picture into account and rewarding the absolute best players. It started with creating a full database of all the stats and accolades every single drafted player throughout this cycle accumulated. You can find that database by using the command !aistats in chat.

I put together a HOF Committee and we set forth on our goal: to find the best AI players of the cycle, even if we hadn’t heard their name before. I feel very confident in the HOF class we put together, and every one of the players on this list deserved it.

We couldn’t do a HOF show this year, which was a bummer, but regardless I wanted to let the users who built these players up tell you about what they meant to them. Below you will find the full list of HOF Inductees this cycle, with (for most of them) a message from the users who gave them life this cycle, as well as the stats and accolades that tell their story, and where those stats rank among their position group.

Without further ado, your 2024 Better League Hall of Fame

Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Morgan Rowe (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 249 Pass TDs (1) | 28,876 Pass Yards (1) | 2.2 TD/INT Ratio (1) | 117.1 Passer Rating (1)

Relevant Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl | 2x Best QB

Message from Dan:

As many of you know, a freak accident forced me to step away from BL. After a season of force losses, I was in a position to select Morgan Rowe with the first overall pick.

Morgan was an immediate impact. As a rookie he led us to an NFC title and nearly completed an improbable championship run. He always elevated his team in the toughest of moments, winning two more NFC championships along the way and being the force behind some of my favorite Madden memories.

I’ll always cherish the Rowe years. It’s a shame we never won the ultimate prize because if there’s one AI player that deserves it more than anyone, it’s him.

Buffalo Bills HB Cole Shields (6 seasons)

Relevant Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl | Offensive Rookie of the Year

Message from Little Alex:

I actually didn’t know who was going to start for me after drafting him. I had just gotten James cook to superstar and had another rookie I was looking at. I decided to trade cook and rock with shields but had plans to replace him eventually. He ended being a dawg and the rest is history

Dallas Cowboys HB RJ Canty (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 8,610 Rush Yards (1) | 103 Rush TDs (2) | 401 Rec (1) | 4,577 Rec Yards (1) | 29 Rec TDs (1)

Relevant Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl | Offensive Rookie of the Year | 2x Best RB

Message from Big Alex:

omg canty omg

RJ Canty was the quintessential dual threat back for the AlexG offense. (Checkdown merchant) After being drafted in the first round of S1, Canty became the immediate focal point of the offense with his ability to catch out of the backfield and make guys miss. Canty was one of my favorite players across all of my years of Better League, and I am honored that he will be enshrined as one of the greatest to ever play.

Arizona Cardinals WR Daron Betts (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 527 Rec (1) | 9,236 Rec Yards (5) | 78 Rec TDs (2)

Relevant Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl | 2x Best WR | 2x Offensive Player of the Year

Message from Lucky on Cloud’s behalf:

Daron Betts flew under the radar most of the cycle despite being one of the most decorated AI throughout the years. Fed early in often, Betts is the only AI to win multiple Player of the Year awards. He was remarkably consistent from start to finish and had one of the highest peaks of the cycle. It’s almost disappointing he didn’t receive more recognition while he was playing, but he rightfully ends his career where he belongs, the Hall of Fame.

Los Angeles Rams WR DeAngelo Williams (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 465 Rec (4) | 8,990 Rec Yards (1) | 77 Rec TDs (3)

Relevant Accolades: 4x Pro Bowl

Message from Lucky on Nick’s behalf:

DeAngelo Williams was the first of a handful of generational prospects to come through the league this cycle, and boy was he. A 6’5 receiver built in the mold of Calvin Johnson, Williams’ elite speed, leaping and ball skills were unmatched. Nick knew exactly what he had in Williams from day one, and fed that man over and over again. Throughout his career, Williams went through a variety of different QBs, but it never impacted him. His talent was too strong to be impacted by something as trivial as a QB carousel.

Chicago Bears WR Dom Monk (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 8,086 Rec Yards (3) | 83 Rec TDs (1) | 8 KR TDs (2)

Relevant Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl

Message from CMass:

Dom was selected late in the 1st rd of the 1st draft in the M24 cycle at a whopping 67 OVR. At that time he could only run one route and that was a “fuck it, monk is down there somewhere” route. Monk quickly became one of the best deep threats in the league and grew to become an all around player with his route running accumen and drive to become the best. Monk will be remembered in the hearts of the artificial Chicago fans hearts as the Gale Sayers of the new age. Former Head Coach of the Bears and Now Clemson HC Todd O’ Connor Jr had this to say, “that fucker could run.” We are very pleased with this obvious selection to allow Dom Monk to live forever in the annals of Better League History and Lore.

Los Angeles Chargers WR Marquel Cheeks (5 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 90.4 Rec/Seas (1) | 1,508 Rec Yards/Seas (2) | 1,103 Rush Yards (2) | 13 Rush TDs (1) | 7 KR TDs (T-3rd)

Relevant Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl | Offensive Rookie of the Year | 2x Best WR | 1x Offensive Player of the Year

Message from Lucky on Warren’s behalf:

What if Tyreek Hill was 6’6? That’s basically what we got here with Marquel Cheeks. A true unicorn we may never see again, he combined the height of a tight end with the small space quickness of a shifty slot receiver and the top end speed of a track star. Warren used him everywhere to great success, as he scored from all over the field, including kickoffs, punt returns, and out of the backfield. It’s rare enough to see a player go 100% on pro bowls every season of their career, but Cheeks is a one of a kind player and made it look easy.

New Orleans Saints WR Ronald Powers (3 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 1,640 Rec Yards/Seas (1) | 22 Rec TDs/Seas (1) | 9 Rush TDs (4) | 6 KR TDs (5) | 2 PR TDs (T-1)

Relevant Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl | Offensive Rookie of the Year | 2x Best WR | 1x Offensive Player of the Year

Message from Lucky:

Powers is the most fun I’ve ever had with a CFM player. From the second we picked up a 98 speed, 99 accel, 97 agility Superstar on draft day, we knew we had a special kid. And from day one, he slotted in with ease, burning DBs deep, making LBs miss in the open field and becoming a threat to score every single time he touched the ball, regardless of where he was on the field. The ultimate weapon, Powers was the best WR in the league for half the cycle. I never expected somebody could be worthy of the Hall of Fame playing only three seasons, but the extent to which Powers was better than his peers in those three seasons made him a worthy inductee.

Denver Broncos TE Bryce Wayne (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 535 Rec (1) | 9,236 Rec Yards (1) | 64 Rec TDs (1)

Relevant Accolades: 6x Pro Bowl

Message from Phil:

Bryce Wayne is easily my favourite drafted player of any Madden cycle. I have never seen anybody play as high above their overall as he did and surpass their ‘potential’ by as much as he did.

Coming into the league as a 69 overall late round pick with 82 speed and no dev trait, he looked like he was going to be a bit part depth player for his career.

Starting as TE2 he got the starting job after I noticed him making play after play and coming in clutch multiple times. He went on to make pro bowl his 1st season and then going onto make pro bowl for every remaining season of the cycle while absolutely smashing AI TE records, and coming close to the WR records too.

I feel bad that I didn’t capture more of his dominance, but here’s a sample of a few plays I did find https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxoz9cLGs2jAFExigxSYfuf6oNi_ig39ts?si=xYu-z-4vECHQKS2H

https://clips.twitch.tv/MuddyWiseSoybeanWoofer-bTbpgj9x-zG59t7Z

https://www.twitch.tv/kushofi/clip/StrangeGenerousLemurDuDudu-HAx9cy92AL39uNRn

https://www.twitch.tv/kushofi/clip/IronicLaconicOwlMoreCowbell-mF4SZaMCPj7J3MKJ

Tennessee Titans DE Marquise Wilkinson (5 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 55.5 Sacks (1) | 11.1 Sacks/Seas (1) | 6 FF (1)

Relevant Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl

Message from Lucky on Steel’s behalf:

Wilkinson is exactly the type of guy we wanted to make sure got their shine in the Hall of Fame conversation. Far from a household name, Wilkinson was a force on the Tennessee defensive line. Despite playing one year less than most of the other HOFers here, he led all AI in career sacks and forced fumbles. His one pro bowl nomination belies the impact his consistency had, as he steadily drove the Titans pass rush season after season. Wilkinson’s legacy is now secured as a Hall of Famer.

Los Angeles Chargers DT Dante Harris (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 53.5 Sacks (1) | 142 TFL (1) | 8.9 Sacks/Seas (3)

Relevant Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl | Offensive Rookie of the Year

Message from Lucky on Warren’s behalf:

Another dominant DL who just did it all, Harris was the anchor of the Charger defense and the second of Warren’s three HOF Inductees from this cycle. Not just a pass rush specialist (led his position in sacks and was 2nd overall), Harris also led all AI in tackles for loss. He was an animal who set the tone up front and allowed everybody behind him to play more free, and he contributed significantly to Warren’s impressive run this cycle.

Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears DT George Yates (5 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 51 Sacks (3) | 121 TFL (4) | 10.2 Sacks/Seas (1)

Relevant Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl | 1x Best DL | 1x Defensive Player of the Year

Message from Wohzi:

Yates is a dawg, I saw him projected 3rd round and took a shot in the dark for him, I did the unthinkable, I got him in the first round! Yates did everything I could’ve asked for, but when push comes to shove and money talks, I unfortunately had to let him live his life in Chicago. He will be a forever Pittsburgher and couldn’t have been more proud of the most prominent BL drafted player I’ve ever had!

Los Angeles Chargers MLB Eddie Henderson (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 16.5 Sacks (2) | 79 TFL (1) | 35 INT (1)

Relevant Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl | 1x Defensive Player of the Year

Message from Lucky on Warren’s behalf:

Eddie Henderson might have been the best all around player of this whole cycle. He put up cornerback level interception numbers, while leading all LBs in TFLs and getting in the backfield to get the second most sacks among MLBs. Warren used him excellently as a swiss army knife that was literally everywhere on the field. His steady play and constant domination was a driving force through Warren’s multi-super bowl winning cycle.

New Orleans Saints CB JaWuan McLaughlin (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 41 INT (2)

Relevant Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl | 1x Best Defensive Back

Message from Lucky:

Told by the media on draft day that he was only ever going to be “normal” and that his limited technique made him no more than a combine warrior with a good 40 time, McLaughlin set out immediately to prove the doubters wrong. McLaughlin proved that he had the instincts to back up his top end speed, and he flew around the field, shutting down an entire side of the gridiron. Despite being told he would never develop into a superstar, he worked his ass off and never stopped improving. Saints Head Coach and Hall of Fame WR Dominick Wilkinson said, “I’m just glad I didn’t have to play this guy, my career might not have went so well.”

Seattle Seahawks CB Thomas Hix (6 seasons)

Relevant Stats: 42 INTs (1) | 5 Defensive TDs (T-2)

Relevant Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl | Defensive Rookie of the Year | 1x Best DB

Message from Allen:

Thomas Hix just had a knack for being around the ball. He had countless game sealing interceptions. His rookie year he spoke with Seahawks great Richard Sherman on how he could be great in the league. Sherman told him it was already in him, he just needed to go out there and play free. Everyone passed on Hix in the draft. We saw his 6’5 frame and just knew there was something special. Franchises will be kicking themselves for years missing out on arguably the freak corner of our generation. Thomas Hix has accepted the job to coach the Dallas Cowboys whenever the league is back due to a strike.