Reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the highest honor an NFL player can receive to commemorate his career. Four more individuals received that honor for the Class of 2025, which was announced during the NFL Honors show.
Who received the call to Canton for induction this August?
Which Players Were Inducted Into the Hall of Fame Class of 2025?
The NFL formally announced the following four players were inducted as members of the 2025 Hall of Fame class — three Modern Era finalists and one from the Senior category — Jared Allen, Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen, and Antonio Gates.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025:
🏈Jared Allen
🏈Sterling Sharpe
🏈Eric Allen
🏈Antonio Gates— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2025
That means the 12 Modern Era player nominees that did not get inducted were:
- Willie Anderson
- Jahri Evans
- Torry Holt
- Luke Kuechly
- Eli Manning
- Steve Smith Sr.
- Terrell Suggs
- Fred Taylor
- Adam Vinatieri
- Reggie Wayne
- Darren Woodson
- Marshal Yanda
Below are highlights for the careers of the four newest Hall of Famers.
CB Eric Allen
Eric Allen was inducted in his 19th year of eligibility, the longest wait for any of the Modern Era finalists. He played from 1988-2001 for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders.
Allen was most known for his time with the Eagles. He was part of the team’s 75th Anniversary Team and was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2011.
A six-time Pro Bowler, Allen was also a first-team All-Pro in 1989. He recorded 54 career interceptions and eight career pick-sixes. Most notably, Allen led the NFL in pick-sixes in both 1993 and 2000.
DE Jared Allen
Jared Allen was inducted in his fifth year of eligibility. He played from 2004-15 for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers.
Allen was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro. He led the NFL in sacks in 2011 (22.0) and 2007 (15.5). His 136 career sacks rank 12th since individual sacks became official in 1982.
Allen peaked during his six-year stint with the Vikings from 2008-13. He had at least 11 sacks in all of those seasons, and his 83.5 sacks during that span are tied with DeMarcus Ware for most in the NFL over that span.
TE Antonio Gates
One of the best receiving tight ends ever, Gates was inducted in his second year of eligibility. He played from 2003-18, with all 16 of his seasons coming with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers.
Gates had 116 receiving touchdowns, the most all-time among tight ends and seventh-most all-time regardless of position. He owns the Chargers’ franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
Gates earned eight consecutive Pro Bowls from 2004-11 and was a three-time first-team All-Pro. He was a member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 2000s.
WR Sterling Sharpe (Senior Category)
Sharpe was one of three Seniors category finalists, which are voted on separately from the Modern Era finalists. Sharpe only played seven seasons from 1988-94 (all with the Green Bay Packers) but excelled before a career-ending neck injury.
Sharpe led the NFL in receptions three times (1989, 1992, and 1993), and was a receiving “triple crown” winner in 1992 (led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns).
During his final season, Sharpe led the league with 18 receiving touchdowns. However, he was unable to play in the playoffs after requiring neck surgery for looseness on the top two vertebrae in his neck. Had it not been for that injury, Sharpe may have been on a Hall of Fame trajectory much sooner.
