Dwight Freeney defied the odds and scouts by spinning his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

FILE - Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney  reacts after a sack of Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File0

FILE - Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney reacts after a sack of Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File0 (93)


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INDIANAPOLIS — The conventional wisdom heading into the 2002 NFL draft was Dwight Freeney was too small to play defensive end. Critics also contended his trademark spin move would hit a wall against the league's bigger, stronger offensive linemen. But former Colts general manager Bill Polian and former coach Tony Dungy saw something completely different on tape. They thought Freeney could be a game-changing pass rusher, and a perfect fit in Dungy's patented Tampa 2 defense. Freeney didn't disappoint. He used his speed, his innovative moves and the motivation of showing the doubters he could make it in the league to propel him to a 16-year Hall of Fame career.

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