Gates headlines 2025 Pro Football HOF class as Eli, Kuechly miss cut

The 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Thursday at NFL Honors with Antonio Gates headlining the group after surprisingly missing the cut in his first year of eligibility in 2024.

This year's class also features defensive end Jared Allen, cornerback Eric Allen, and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (seniors category).

Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and former All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly were all finalists but surprisingly didn't get the call this year.

Antonio Gates

Tight end, San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, 2003-18

Gates defied the odds after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. He went on to become an eight-time Pro Bowler and the Chargers' all-time receiving leader, and he also tops all tight ends with 116 career touchdown receptions. He retired with 955 catches and 11,841 receiving yards, the third most in NFL history at his position, and was a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.

Jared Allen

Defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs-Minnesota Vikings-Chicago Bears-Carolina Panthers, 2004-2015

We watched Allen's marquee "calf-roping" sack celebration several times, 136 during the regular season to be specific, which ranks 12th in NFL history. The Vikings legend didn't have a ton of playoff success - only one Super Bowl appearance - but he retired as a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro. Allen also led the league in sacks on two occasions throughout his career, including a 22-sack campaign in 2011.

Eric Allen

Cornerback, Philadelphia Eagles-New Orleans Saints-Oakland Raiders, 1988-2001

Allen is finally headed to Canton after 19 years of eligibility. The six-time Pro Bowler also earned three All-Pro berths throughout his career, including one first-team selection. He retired with 54 career interceptions, tied for 21st in NFL history. Allen led the league in pick-6s in two different seasons and recorded at least three INTs in 10 different campaigns.

Sterling Sharpe (seniors category)

Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers, 1988-94

Sharpe, a top-10 pick in 1988, took the NFL by storm: He racked up three first-team All-Pro berths, claimed five Pro Bowl nods, and topped 1,000 yards five times before his football career ended prematurely due to a neck injury. He became the second player ever to capture the NFL's receiving triple crown in 1992, and his 18 TD receptions in 1994 are still tied for the third-most in a season. Sterling and former tight end Shannon Sharpe are now the first pair of brothers to each be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.