Four elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 under new rules - smallest number since 2005

[chongli]

[The changes are attributed to a new intermediary cut from 10 to 7, where three to five are chosen, each requiring 80% of the votes. Before, the cut was from 10 to 5, and the vote for the final 5 was just "yes" or "no". -- I forget where I saw this and am trying to find the link.]

 

Below are the members of the Class of 2025:

 

Eric Allen

Jared Allen

Antonio Gates

Sterling Sharpe (senior)

 

No first-time eligible candidates were chosen and just three of the 15 modern-era finalists were chosen. Only one of the five senior/coach/contributor finalists was chosen.

 

Finalists NOT chosen:

 

First-year eligible modern-era:

 

Luke Kuechly

Eli Manning

Marshal Yanda

Terrell Suggs

Adam Vinatieri

 

Others modern-era finalists:

 

Willie Anderson

Jahri Evans

Torry Holt

Steve Smith Sr.

Fred Taylor

Reggie Wayne

Darren Woodson

 

Seniors category Finalists:

 

Maxie Baughan

Jim Tyrer

 

Coach Finalist:

 

Mike Holmgren

 

Contributor Finalist:

 

Ralph Hay

 

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025-revealed-at-nfl-honors

 

"The four-person Class of '25 is the smallest to be inducted since 2005 when Dan Marino, Steve Young, Benny Friedman and Fritz Pollard were called to the Hall. Though unusual this century, this is the 19th class in the Hall's 63-year history with four or three members. "

 

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/02/pro-football-hall-of-fame-to-enshrine-four-in-class-of-2025/

 

[changes to the by-laws are in red and bold]

 

"Selection Process

 

ERIC ALLEN,(Opens in a new window) JARED ALLEN(Opens in a new window) and ANTONIO GATES(Opens in a new window) were elected from the Modern-Era Players pool of candidates that this cycle began with 167 nominees who last played professional football in the 2019 season. That list was reduced three times (to 50 nominees, 25 Semifinalists and 15 Finalists) before the annual selection meeting.

The other Finalists this year were Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Fred Taylor, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.

During the selection meeting, the list of 15 Finalists was cut to 10, then to 7 before the final vote. In that final vote, a maximum of five and minimum of three individuals could have been elected to the new class, each needing 80% approval from the selectors, who could cast a ballot for five of the remaining seven. By reaching the final 7 but not getting elected (falling short of 80% approval), Anderson, Holt, Kuechly and Vinatieri will advance automatically to the Finalist stage (15 remaining) for the Class of 2026 under the Hall of Fame’s bylaws for the selection process.

STERLING SHARPE(Opens in a new window) was elected from a second pool of five candidates that included the Finalists chosen by the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee (Sharpe, Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer), Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee (Mike Holmgren) and Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee (Ralph Hay). Under the Hall’s bylaws, from one to three individuals could have been elected from this group; only Sharpe reached the required voting threshold. "

 

 

Some trivia:

 

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/02/pro-football-hall-of-fame-to-enshrine-four-in-class-of-2025/

 

1. Sterling Sharpe and SHANNON SHARPE become the first brothers elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Three father-son tandems are enshrined: TIM MARA(Opens in a new window) and WELLINGTON MARA,. ART ROONEY SR.(Opens in a new window) and DAN ROONEY, and ED SABOL(Opens in a new window) and STEVE SABOL.

 

2. While a class of four is the smallest since 2005, that number has not been uncommon. This is the 19th time in the Hall of Fame’s history a class has been composed of three or four enshrinees since the first four-person class was chosen in 1970.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by chongli

[Doc Brown]

How did Luke Kuechly not get in?  Played eight years, 5 first team all pros (two 2nd teams), 7 pro bowls, offensive rookie of the year, and one defensive player of the year. 

 

Also, I don't like to root against a player but Eli getting in as a 1st ballot HOFer would've sullied the honor a little bit imo.  

[BigdaddyinOrlando]

1 minute ago, Doc Brown said:

How did Luke Kuechly not get in?  Played eight years, 5 first team all pros (two 2nd teams), 7 pro bowls, offensive rookie of the year, and one defensive player of the year. 

 

Also, I don't like to root against a player but Eli getting in as a 1st ballot HOFer would've sullied the honor a little bit imo.  

Yeah, that was the most obvious omission. A definite head scratcher for sure. 

[davefan66]

Interesting when you see small HOF classes.  It’s not about getting seven guys in no matter what, it’s about getting the right guys in per the voters. Obviously, there is conversation around who is the “right guy”.

 

Agree with the modern era guys, except not including Manning.  Kinda thought beating brady twice in Super Bowls might have gotten him in. Especially beating a team that had not lost a game all season. 

 

Sterling Sharpe. Not sure how a guy who is number 109 in yards at 8,134 and tied for number 65 overall with 67 TD’s.  I get injury shortened his career, but there is no guarantee he would have had a true HOF career.

[Buffalo03]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

How did Luke Kuechly not get in?  Played eight years, 5 first team all pros (two 2nd teams), 7 pro bowls, offensive rookie of the year, and one defensive player of the year. 

 

Also, I don't like to root against a player but Eli getting in as a 1st ballot HOFer would've sullied the honor a little bit imo.  

He was so good defensively that he got offensive rookie of year to? That's a hell of an accomplishment and definitely first ballot HOF worthy. 

 

Edited 55 minutes ago by Buffalo03

[GunnerBill]

I'd have put Kuechly in. But I'm delighted Jared Allen got in. He was one of the most underrated players of the 00s. He was properly elite he just played on (at the time) unfashionable Chief and Viking teams. 

[Yobogoya!]

I think Vinatieri got hosed.

 

I know people roll their eyes at kickers/specialists getting in, but if any kicker deserved a first-ballot HOF induction its him. All-time NFL leading scorer, made clutch kicks for four championship teams with two different organizations and played for two decades while being incredibly reliable basically up until his last year. Some of his postseason performances were legendary.

[RobbRiddick]

Glad Sterling got in. He was insanely good. Amazing how he almost become an afterthought as the Packers won the Super Bowl not long after he had to retire. I hate Shannon but he's right when he said he's the first HOF who is the second best player in the family.

 

On the subject of brothers being in the HOF, it's right that Eli didn't get in but I won't begrudge him if he ever does. The fact that he beat Brady twice in super bowls, probably the last ones I genuinely cheered and enjoyed, makes me think he sort of deserves it. 

[MJS]

I think having a smaller class is much better. There have been too many good players getting in. It should only be the elite of the elite ones who get in.

 

Of the guys who didn't get in, I only feel like Reggie Wayne really deserves it, and I'm fine if it takes him awhile.

[djp14150]

Pp

50 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

Interesting when you see small HOF classes.  It’s not about getting seven guys in no matter what, it’s about getting the right guys in per the voters. Obviously, there is conversation around who is the “right guy”.

 

Agree with the modern era guys, except not including Manning.  Kinda thought beating brady twice in Super Bowls might have gotten him in. Especially beating a team that had not lost a game all season. 

 

Sterling Sharpe. Not sure how a guy who is number 109 in yards at 8,134 and tied for number 65 overall with 67 TD’s.  I get injury shortened his career, but there is no guarantee he would have had a true HOF career.

 

HOF should never be some stats requirement line

it should not be for players who went to or won a SB

 

I don’t feel Eli should go to the HOF

 

Sterling on the other hand does deserve it.

 

the issue with Luke is he had a shorter career but I do believe he should get in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, chongli said:

[The changes are attributed to a new intermediary cut from 10 to 7, where three to five are chosen, each requiring 80% of the votes. Before, the cut was from 10 to 5, and the vote for the final 5 was just "yes" or "no". -- I forget where I saw this and am trying to find the link.]

 

Below are the members of the Class of 2025:

 

Eric Allen

Jared Allen

Antonio Gates

Sterling Sharpe (senior)

 

No first-time eligible candidates were chosen and just three of the 15 modern-era finalists were chosen. Only one of the five senior/coach/contributor finalists was chosen.

 

Finalists NOT chosen:

 

First-year eligible modern-era:

 

Luke Kuechly

Eli Manning

Marshal Yanda

Terrell Suggs

Adam Vinatieri

 

Others modern-era finalists:

 

Willie Anderson

Jahri Evans

Torry Holt

Steve Smith Sr.

Fred Taylor

Reggie Wayne

Darren Woodson

 

Seniors category Finalists:

 

Maxie Baughan

Jim Tyrer

 

Coach Finalist:

 

Mike Holmgren

 

Contributor Finalist:

 

Ralph Hay

 

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025-revealed-at-nfl-honors

 

"The four-person Class of '25 is the smallest to be inducted since 2005 when Dan Marino, Steve Young, Benny Friedman and Fritz Pollard were called to the Hall. Though unusual this century, this is the 19th class in the Hall's 63-year history with four or three members. "

 

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/02/pro-football-hall-of-fame-to-enshrine-four-in-class-of-2025/

 

[changes to the by-laws are in red and bold]

 

"Selection Process

 

ERIC ALLEN,(Opens in a new window) JARED ALLEN(Opens in a new window) and ANTONIO GATES(Opens in a new window) were elected from the Modern-Era Players pool of candidates that this cycle began with 167 nominees who last played professional football in the 2019 season. That list was reduced three times (to 50 nominees, 25 Semifinalists and 15 Finalists) before the annual selection meeting.

The other Finalists this year were Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Fred Taylor, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.

During the selection meeting, the list of 15 Finalists was cut to 10, then to 7 before the final vote. In that final vote, a maximum of five and minimum of three individuals could have been elected to the new class, each needing 80% approval from the selectors, who could cast a ballot for five of the remaining seven. By reaching the final 7 but not getting elected (falling short of 80% approval), Anderson, Holt, Kuechly and Vinatieri will advance automatically to the Finalist stage (15 remaining) for the Class of 2026 under the Hall of Fame’s bylaws for the selection process.

STERLING SHARPE(Opens in a new window) was elected from a second pool of five candidates that included the Finalists chosen by the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee (Sharpe, Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer), Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee (Mike Holmgren) and Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee (Ralph Hay). Under the Hall’s bylaws, from one to three individuals could have been elected from this group; only Sharpe reached the required voting threshold. "

 

 

Some trivia:

 

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/02/pro-football-hall-of-fame-to-enshrine-four-in-class-of-2025/

 

1. Sterling Sharpe and SHANNON SHARPE become the first brothers elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Three father-son tandems are enshrined: TIM MARA(Opens in a new window) and WELLINGTON MARA,. ART ROONEY SR.(Opens in a new window) and DAN ROONEY, and ED SABOL(Opens in a new window) and STEVE SABOL.

 

2. While a class of four is the smallest since 2005, that number has not been uncommon. This is the 19th time in the Hall of Fame’s history a class has been composed of three or four enshrinees since the first four-person class was chosen in 1970.

 

Soooo glad for Sterling Sharpe. He was in the class of player as Andre Reed and Jerry Rice. Injuries shortened his career 

[Big Turk]

About time Sterling Sharpe got in! He would be probably 2nd all-time in receiving yards if not for injury. The dude was unstoppable.

Edited 1 hour ago by Big Turk

[st pete gogolak]

They’re missing an Allen.

[davefan66]

Just now, djp14150 said:

Pp

 

HOF should never be some stats requirement line

it should not be for players who went to or won a SB

 

I don’t feel Eli should go to the HOF

 

Sterling on the other hand does deserve it.

 

the issue with Luke is he had a shorter career but I do believe he should get in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eli will most likely get in next few years. I feel the voters didn’t want to make him first ballot based on the entirety of his career, not counting Super Bowls.  Fact is, he did win twice which does play into getting in the HOF whether people agree with that or not.

 

Sharpe was a great player for a shortened career.  Not so sure he deserves to get in though.  Is he one of the top 29 receivers to ever play the game?  I don’t know.  I feel it’s close, as shown by how long it took him to get in.

[BillsPride12]

3 minutes ago, davefan66 said:

Eli will most likely get in next few years. I feel the voters didn’t want to make him first ballot based on the entirety of his career, not counting Super Bowls.  Fact is, he did win twice which does play into getting in the HOF whether people agree with that or not.

 

Sharpe was a great player for a shortened career.  Not so sure he deserves to get in though.  Is he one of the top 29 receivers to ever play the game?  I don’t know.  I feel it’s close, as shown by how long it took him to get in.

Top 3-5 all-time.  Not his fault injury shortened his career.  Sterling was a Dawg!

 

[frostbitmic]

22 minutes ago, st pete gogolak said:

They’re missing an Allen.

And they can't have him for a long long time.

[oldmanfan]

Kuechley is surprising 

[Sweats]

I'm actually satisfied with this list.

 

Eric Allen

Jared Allen

Antonio Gates

Sterling Sharpe (senior)

[MikePJ76]

Eric Allen and sterling sharpe?  
 

why in the world are they in the hall of fame?

 

 

[Chicken Boo]

How does "Big Game" Torry Holt keep getting passed over?

 

During his time, he was the fastest receiver in history to 10,000 yards.  Superbowl champ, Greatest Show on Turf, etc.

 

Top 5 greatest route runner the position has ever seen. 

 

 

Edited 17 minutes ago by Chicken Boo