WS Chronicle

Last week, the 2025 class of the NFL Hall of Fame was announced and surprisingly, the selection committee almost got it 100% correct. Tight end Antonio Gates, cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe are the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They will be inducted Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio. 

 New England and Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly were all in their first year of eligibility and were not selected. I have an understanding as to why they weren’t, but if I am being honest, I feel like Kuechly should have also been selected in his first year, but more on that later. 

Antonio Gates came into the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Kent State. The Chargers took a chance on him, and it paid off handsomely for San Diego. Gates totaled 955 catches, which is fourth in league history for a tight end and 116 receiving touchdowns, the most for a tight end in NFL history.   

Gates was a dominating tight end for nearly a decade. The chemistry he displayed playing with quarterback Phillip Rivers was truly a sight to see. You could see his basketball pedigree when Gates was playing on the field. His superb change of direction, jumping ability and contested catch ability were all directly correlated to his time on the basketball court.  

Not to age myself, but Gates was usually the tight end I traded for while playing Madden when I was younger. His combination of size, speed, and agility made him a matchup nightmare for most defenses.   

“The opportunity I got speaks volumes of how [the Chargers] believed in me,” Gates said. “I’m happy it all paid off.” 

In my opinion, Eric Allen should have been a hall of famer years ago. As a Washington Commanders fan, former known as the Redskins, I vividly remember Allen playing against Washington year after year. He was a true lockdown corner that really helped the Eagles’ defense become one of the best defenses throughout the ‘90s.   

Allen had 54 career interceptions, ranking him 21st all time and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Along with Deion Sanders, Rod Woodson, and Darrell Green, Allen was one of my favorite cornerbacks in the league, even though he played for a rival franchise. I just like to give credit where credit is due, and this was a long time coming for Allen. For him to have to wait 19 years is really a crime. 

“Rarely does life play out like you want it to,” said Allen. “There’s always some curves and bends. But time always reveals the truth. … It took maybe time for people to see the complexity of my situation.” 

Jared Allen played 12 years in the NFL and was one of my favorite players to watch due to the joy he displayed on the field. He started his career with the Kansas City Chiefs but really made a name for himself playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Allen totaled 136 career sacks, ranking him 12th all time and his calf roping celebration that followed each sack was one of the most original and entertaining celebrations to date. 

Allen was a great personality during his playing days. His love for the game was on full display every Sunday and you couldn’t help but like the guy. Allen was top 3 at his position for years and his selection into the hall is well deserved. 

“You almost appreciate it more,” said Allen about being one of the four chosen for Canton. “Nothing comes easy.  When I found out it was only four, it became more special. There’s a true emphasis on what it means to be a hall of famer. Clearly, we fit that. For me, it was kind of a sigh of relief.” 

Last but definitely not least, we have Sterling Sharpe. I have long advocated for Sharpe to be in the hall of fame.  Besides Jerry Rice, Sharpe was the most dominating receiver during that era. If not for a neck injury that cut his career short, we would be talking about Sharpe in the GOAT conversation of receivers. 

Sharpe played for Green Bay from 1988 to 1994, leading the league in receptions three times. He also led the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns twice. Sharpe now joins his brother Shannon in the hall as the first brother duo to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.   

I am happy that Sharpe finally gets the recognition he rightfully deserves but I am a little disappointed it took this long for him to make it into the hall of fame. The selection committee has let other greats into the hall of fame with short careers like Terrell Davis and Gayle Sayers, but I am curious why Sharpe took this long. 

“I don’t think that has really set in yet,” Sharpe said. “It’s one of those situations where the closer it gets to having the same color jacket he has and standing in the same place he stood and being able to have a conversation about the journey to get there, I think it will set in. But right now, it hasn’t hit home yet.” 

For those not to be enshrined, I think they missed on Kuechly. Kuechly only had an eight-year career but in that time, there was no doubt he was top 2 at his position from the day he stepped onto the field. Luke made seven Pro Bowls in eight years, was a first or second team All-Pro seven times, and was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. Not sure what else he needed to do to prove he was a first ballot hall of famer.   

Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history. He made several memorable kicks for the Patriots during their early Super Bowl runs. He played in the league for 24 years with the Patriots and the Colts. He was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler three times. He won’t have to wait long until he gets his gold jacket. 

Now for Manning. This will be an unpopular opinion, but Manning is not a hall of fame player. He was never top 5 at his position and no one ever game-planned for him. Yes, he did win two Super Bowls and was the MVP of both but that does not make up for his lackluster play outside of those two Super Bowl runs.   

He was usually the quarterback you relied on to throw a critical interception to lose the game or flip momentum. He was a four-time Pro Bowl player in 16 seasons; however, I just don’t think he did enough to get in.  

I grade very harshly because I feel the hall of fame should be for the best of the best and not for the very good.