Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025: A Closer Look at the Inductees
For some NFL players, the journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a long and winding road, filled with years of anticipation and hope. This year, for a select few, that journey has reached its triumphant conclusion. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2025 on Thursday night during the NFL Honors show in New Orleans, and it’s a class that promises to be remembered for years to come.
Among those honored are cornerback Eric Allen, who finally made it in his 19th year of eligibility, and defensive end Jared Allen, who was selected in his fifth year of eligibility. Joining them are tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, the latter of whom was chosen as the senior finalist for enshrinement. These players will be officially inducted in August in Canton, Ohio, marking a significant milestone in their illustrious careers.
Let’s dive deeper into the achievements and stories of these remarkable athletes who have earned their place in the Hall of Fame:
Eric Allen, Cornerback
Philadelphia Eagles, 1988-94; New Orleans Saints, 1995-97; Oakland Raiders, 1998-2001
Eric Allen, a second-round pick by the Eagles in 1988, was a model of consistency and durability throughout his career. He played at least 15 games in 13 of his 14 seasons, and even at 35 years old, he managed a six-interception season in 2000. In 1993, he returned four of his six interceptions for touchdowns, earning one of his six Pro Bowl selections.
Why he was elected: Allen’s 54 career interceptions rank 21st all time, with 14 of the 20 players ahead of him already in the Hall of Fame. He intercepted passes from Hall of Famers like John Elway and Brett Favre, and his 34 interceptions as an Eagles cornerback are tied for the franchise record. Allen was also the only player in league history with two seasons of at least three interception returns for touchdowns.
Signature moment: Allen’s 94-yard pick-six against the New York Jets in 1993 is a standout moment. After Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham suffered a broken leg, Allen’s play secured the win, and he famously handed the ball to Cunningham on the sidelines.
Quotable: “I told myself long ago, ‘If you can go through a complete season and can’t get more than two interceptions, it’s time to go’ … I probably could have played another three, four years, but my standards had to be met for me to play.” — Allen to the Talk of Fame network on why he chose to retire after the 2001 season
Jared Allen, Defensive End
Kansas City Chiefs, 2004-07; Minnesota Vikings, 2008-13; Chicago Bears, 2014-15; Carolina Panthers, 2015
Jared Allen, a fourth-round pick by the Chiefs in 2004, was known for his relentless energy and intensity on the field. His 136 career sacks rank 12th since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, and he holds the league record for four career safeties. Allen was a five-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro selection over his 12-season career.
Why he was elected: Allen’s ability to create turnovers was unmatched, with 32 forced fumbles, 58 deflected passes, and 19 fumble recoveries. His 22 sacks in 2011 are tied for fourth most in a single season, and he led the league in sacks twice.
Signature moment: Allen’s signature sack celebration, mimicking a calf roping, paid homage to his upbringing on a horse ranch and became a fan favorite.
Quotable: “You go through life, and there’s a maturation process. I made some mistakes early in my career, and you learn from those and you grow from them. Minnesota was a place that helped me grow as a man. … When I got there, I was in the process of changing some habits and growing up. To have guys that are doing it right around you is phenomenal.” — Allen, when he retired, on his time with the Vikings
Antonio Gates, Tight End
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, 2003-2018
Antonio Gates, who transitioned from college basketball to the NFL, became one of the most prolific tight ends in history. He finished his career with 955 receptions and 116 receiving touchdowns, the most for a tight end. Gates was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time All-Pro.
Why he was elected: Gates’ 21 multi-touchdown games and eight seasons with at least eight touchdown receptions highlight his dominance. He holds Chargers franchise records for receptions and receiving yards, and his partnership with Philip Rivers set an NFL record for quarterback-receiver touchdowns at the time of his retirement.
Signature moment: Gates’ 7-yard touchdown reception on Sept. 17, 2017, broke Tony Gonzalez’s record for career touchdown catches by a tight end, cementing his legacy.
Quotable: “He was so hard to cover that we had a ‘Gates Rule’ in the QB room. We would talk through the reads and the plays and they all had a ‘Gates Rule.’ It pretty much meant, if he is one-on-one, throw it there.” — Rivers
Sterling Sharpe, Wide Receiver
Green Bay Packers, 1988-94
Sterling Sharpe’s career was tragically cut short by a congenital neck condition, but his impact on the field was undeniable. In his seven seasons, only Jerry Rice caught more passes and had more touchdown receptions. Sharpe was a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro selection.
Why he was elected: Sharpe led the league in receptions three times, in receiving yards once, and in receiving touchdowns twice. His 18 receiving touchdowns in his final season remain tied for the third-highest single-season total in NFL history.
Signature moment: In the 1993 playoffs, Sharpe had 100-yard games in both of the Packers’ playoff games, including a wild-card win over Detroit where he became the ninth player in league history to have three touchdown receptions in a playoff game.
Quotable: “I’m the only pro football player that’s in the Hall of Fame and I’m the second-best player in my own family.” — Shannon Sharpe acknowledging his brother in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech
Originally Written by: Jeff Legwold
