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NFL announces 2025 Hall of Fame class

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/06/25•

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Pro Football Hall of Fame
Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK

Four former NFL players received life-changing news on Thursday. The Hall of Fame came knocking as a few candidates will soon turn into inductees.

With the NFL Honors Awards taking place, a handful of people have been waiting to know whether or not they would be a part of the Hall of Fame. Most of them unfortunately had to receive bad news while five are certainly over the moon. Here are the four who will be enshrined in Canton, OH.

  • Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders CB Eric Allen
  • Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers DE Jared Allen
  • San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers TE Antonio Gates
  • Green Bay Packers WR Sterling Sharpe

Unfortunately, a good chunk of people did not get the call they were hoping for this week. It’s a longer list than those who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame

Those are: OT Willie Anderson, LB Maxie Baughan, OG Jahri Evans, WR Torry Holt, LB Luke Kuechly, QB Eli Manning, WR Steve Smith Sr., DE/OLB Terrell Suggs, RB Fred Taylor, OT Jim Tyrer, K Adam Vinatieri, WR Reggie Wayne, S Darren Woodson, OG/OT Marshal Yanda

More on the players to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame

Beginning with Eric Allen, he was one of the five finalists in the senior category. He spent his career with three different teams but is most well known for playing with the Eagles. Allen spent six years in Philadelphia, being named a first-team All-Pro in 1989.

Moving to the other Allen to be inducted, Jared, as he is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the modern era. During his time with Minnesota, Allen recorded 85.5 sacks, 104 tackles for a loss, and 155 quarterback hits. NFC North quarterback feared going up against this guy and he is now enshrined in Canton forever.

Offensive players now get some love, beginning with Antonio Gates. There are not too many tight ends in the Hall of Fame as Gates makes it No. 10. Playing with just one team makes his career — albeit in two cities — that much more special as he goes down as a Chargers legend.

Finally, Sterling Sharpe will join his brother, Shannon, in the Hall of Fame. Another player who spent all his playing days with one team, Sharpe caught 595 passes for 8,134 yards, and 65 touchdowns with the Green Bay Packers.