Tag: Pro Football Hall of Fame

Sep 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; A detailed view of the 9/11 ribbon logo on the back of the helmet of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Antonio Gates among four elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NEW ORLEANS — Antonio Gates, who went from being an undrafted player to one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends in NFL history, was among four selections to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

The former San Diego/Los Angeles Charger, who was a two-time finalist, was joined by former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe in the Class of 2025.

The class was revealed during the NFL Honors ahead of Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.

Gates was a basketball player at Kent State and went on to play 16 seasons (2003-18) with the Chargers.

He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and caught 116 touchdown passes, the most by a tight end and No. 7 all time among all receivers. His 955 career receptions are fourth among tight ends and he had 21 career multi-touchdown games, the most by any tight end, and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

Eric Allen was a two-time finalist who played 14 seasons (1988-94 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders). The six-time Pro Bowler from Arizona State finished with 54 career interceptions, which is tied for No. 21 all time. He returned eight interceptions for touchdowns, tied for eighth in NFL history.

Jared Allen was a five-time finalist who played 12 seasons (2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers). The four-time All-Pro, who entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick from Idaho State, had 136 sacks.

Sharpe, who was selected No. 7 in the first round out of South Carolina in the 1988 draft, was a three-time first-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler during his seven-year career with the Packers. He set what was then an NFL record with 108 receptions in 1992 and topped that with 112 the next season. He was forced to retire because of a neck injury.

He joins his younger brother, former Broncos and Baltimore Ravens tight end Shannon Sharpe, to form the only pair of brothers in the Hall.

Sterling Sharpe was one of three senior finalists along with Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer. Two other nominees were Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren and contributor Ralph Hay.

None of the six first-time nominees — quarterback Eli Manning, defensive end Terrell Suggs, wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and offensive lineman Marshal Yanda — was selected.

Other finalists were safety Darren Woodson, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, and running back Fred Taylor.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee could have elected up to five players from 15 finalists from the modern era and could have picked as many as eight people from all of the groups of finalists.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony is expected to take place during the first week of August in Canton, Ohio. The ceremony will be part of an Enshrinement Week that also is set to include the annual preseason Hall of Fame Game and the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner.

–Les East, Field Level Media

Aug 4, 2023; Canton, OH, USA; A general overall view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Waiting for Gold: Class of ’25 finalists anxious to hear Hall of Fame fate

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Fifteen former players will take a deep breath and hope to hear their name called when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announces its newest slate of modern-era selections on Thursday night ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee can elect up to five players from the 15-member list. The announcement will air during the NFL Honors broadcast starting at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday on Fox and the NFL Network.

The group includes six first-time nominees: Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Steve Smith Sr., Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda. Nine other nominees return as finalists, with Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne experiencing the longest waits as they enter their sixth cycle hoping to be selected.

Manning said he was trying to keep this week in perspective as he waits to hear whether he is a first-ballot selection into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
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“It’s one of those things, you can’t control it,” Manning said to NFL Network. “So why worry about it? You’ll know one way or the other.

“It’s not that I’m not going to lose sleep over this. … (But) I’m going to enjoy being in New Orleans no matter what.”

Vinatieri also spoke about his nerves heading into the selection. He is hoping to become the third primary kicker to reach the Hall of Fame, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.

“Holding my breath, obviously, but there’s no guarantee at this level,” Vinatieri said to radio station WEEI in Boston. “Everybody that’s in the top 15 is definitely worthy, and probably rightfully so. We’ll see. I don’t know what the expectation should be, but I’m very optimistic.”

Five defensive players are among the 15 finalists: ends Jared Allen and Suggs, linebacker Kuechly, cornerback Eric Allen and safety Darren Woodson. A trio of offensive linemen — Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans and Yanda — also are on the list.

Running back Fred Taylor, wideouts Smith Sr., Holt and Wayne, and tight end Antonio Gates also are on the doorstep of hearing their name called.

In addition to the 15 modern-era finalists, the selection committee reviews three senior finalists, one coach and one contributor. The committee can select up to eight people from all of the groups of finalists.

The senior finalists are Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer. Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren and contributor Ralph Hay also are candidates.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony is expected to take place during the first week of August in Canton. The ceremony will be part of an Enshrinement Week that also is set to include the annual preseason Hall of Fame Game and the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner.

Modern-era finalists:

CB Eric Allen (two-time finalist); 14 seasons: 1988-94 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
The six-time Pro Bowl player from Arizona State finished with 54 career interceptions, which ranks No. 21 all time. He returned eight interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for eighth in NFL history.

DE Jared Allen (five-time finalist); 12 seasons: 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
A fourth-round draft pick from Idaho State, the four-time All-Pro had 136 sacks. Every player ahead of him on the all-time sack list, other than fellow first-time finalist Terrell Suggs, is in the Hall of Fame

OT Willie Anderson (four-time finalist); 13 seasons: 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
The 6-foot-5, 340-pound Anderson started 184 of 195 career games and was named to four Pro Bowls in a row from the 2003-06 seasons. He blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers in his career, and he helped pave the way for Corey Dillon to set single-game records for rushing yards by a rookie (246) and rushing yards by any player (278). Each record stood for nearly three years, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

G Jahri Evans (two-time finalist); 12 seasons: 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Evans greatly overachieved as a fourth-round pick (No. 108 overall) out of Division II Bloomsburg (Pa.) University. He started each of the 183 games in which he played, and he was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls from the 2009-14 seasons. He was part of a Saints team that won Super Bowl XLIV, and he was named to the Saints Hall of Fame in 2021.

TE Antonio Gates (two-time finalist); 16 seasons: 2003-18 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Gates entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after playing basketball at Kent State. He went on to become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection caught 116 touchdown passes, which ranks No. 1 all time among tight ends and No. 7 all time among all receivers. He had 21 career multi-touchdown games, which also is the most by any tight end. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.

WR Torry Holt (six-time finalist); 11 seasons: 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Holt was a key member of the “Greatest Show on Turf” teams in St. Louis that included Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Ricky Proehl and others. To cap his rookie season, he had seven catches for a 109 yards and a touchdown to help the Rams beat the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. He led the NFL in receiving yards in 2000 and 2003, and he had 80-plus catches in eight consecutive seasons. Holt was named to seven Pro Bowls.

LB Luke Kuechly (first-time eligible, finalist); 8 seasons: 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
As the No. 9 overall pick out of Boston College in 2012, Kuechly immediately took over as the heart of the Panthers’ defense. He twice led the NFL in tackles, including in his rookie season. He topped 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons, and he also notched 18 interceptions, 12.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits in his career. He won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the NFL in 2014, 2015 and 2017 and a five-time All-Pro before retiring at age 28 after suffering multiple concussions in his career.

QB Eli Manning (first-time eligible, finalist); 16 seasons: 2004-2019 New York Giants
Peyton’s little brother was the No. 1 pick in 2004 by the Chargers and was traded to the New York Giants, where he spent 16 seasons, started 210 consecutive games (of 236), won two Lombardi trophies and was two-time Super Bowl MVP.

WR Steve Smith Sr. (first-time finalist); 16 seasons: 2001-13 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
The Panthers selected Smith in the third round (No. 74) out of Utah in 2001, and he quickly emerged as a top-tier talent. He was the only rookie to make the Pro Bowl that season, which was the first of five Pro Bowls that he would reach. He finished his career with 1,031 catches for 14,731 yards and 81 touchdowns. He also scored six touchdowns on special teams (four punt returns, two kick returns).

OLB Terrell Suggs (first-time eligible, finalist); 17 seasons: 2003-18 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Suggs was one of the most dominant players on one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL for more than a decade. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection racked up double-digit sacks in seven seasons and finished his career with 139 sacks. He was named as the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003, and he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

RB Fred Taylor (two-time finalist); 13 seasons: 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-10 New England Patriots
The former Florida Gator was the Jaguars’ first-round pick (No. 9 overall) in 1998, and he scored 17 touchdowns from scrimmage as a rookie to set a franchise record that still stands. He topped 1,000 rushing yards seven times in his career, including his best season in 2003 when he rushed for 1,572 yards. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his career and finished with 74 touchdowns (66 rushing, eight receiving).

K Adam Vinatieri (first-time eligible, finalist); 24 seasons: 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-19 Indianapolis Colts
Vinatieri earned four Super Bowl rings — three with the Patriots and one with the Colts. He is the career points leader for both franchises, with 1,158 career points for New England and 1,515 career points for Indianapolis. He also is the NFL’s all-time leader in points (2,673), field goals (599) and 100-point seasons (21). He was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team and the league’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

WR Reggie Wayne (six-time finalist); 14 seasons: 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts
Wayne stood out during both the regular season and the playoffs during his long career, which included 12 trips to the postseason. He topped 1,000 receiving yards eight times, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl six times in a seven-year period. He also won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and he caught 93 passes in the postseason, which ranked second all-time when he retired. He finished his career with 1,070 catches for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns.

S Darren Woodson (three-time finalist); 12 seasons: 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Woodson was a key defender on three Super Bowl-winning teams in Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX). He was named to five Pro Bowls and he finished his career as the Cowboys’ all-time leader with 1,350 tackles. He had 26 interceptions including the postseason, and he returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns. He was named to the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2015.

G/OT Marshal Yanda (first-time eligible, finalist); 13 seasons: 2007-19 Baltimore Ravens
Yanda earned eight Pro Bowl selections and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers. He started 166 of 177 career games. After an injury cut short his season in 2017, he returned to finish his career with back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns in 2018-19. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre (4) and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Holmgren walk off the field together after the victory of the Detroit Lions on Oct. 15, 1995 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Gpg Historic Photos Vs Detroit Lions 10192022 0008

Mike Holmgren among Hall of Fame finalists

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Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren is among five people to reach the finalist stage for possible election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday.

Holmgren was nominated in the coach category. Also competing to join football’s legends in Canton, Ohio, are Ralph Hay (contributor category) and Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer (seniors).

Any of the five who receive at least 80 percent of the votes from the selection committee will join the Class of 2025.

This is the first time the members of the three categories are competing against each other for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. The announcement of new class members will be made in February in New Orleans during Super Bowl LIX week.

A maximum of three of the five finalists can be elected. If none receive 80 percent of the votes, the nominee with the most support will join the 2025 class.

Hay was an auto dealer who owned the Canton Bulldogs (1918-22). He invited owners of professional football teams to his car showroom in 1920, where an agreement was reached to start an association that two years later became the NFL.

Holmgren led the Green Bay Packers to the playoffs six times during his tenure from 1992-98, winning Super Bowl XXXI. He later coached the Seattle Seahawks (1999-2008), winning the NFC championship in 2005 but losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

Baughan, an outside linebacker, played from 1960-70 with the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams. The nine-time Pro Bowler came out of retirement in 1974 to play two games for his mentor, George Allen, in Washington.

Sharpe, a three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, played seven seasons with the Packers (1988-94) but was forced to retire early because of a neck injury.

Tyrer was an offensive tackle and a member of the AFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s who played with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1961-73) and one final season in Washington in 1974. He won Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs.

–Field Level Media

Adam Vinatieri is a four-time Super Bowl champion who holds the record most career points in NFL history. Xxx Ib02 Vinatieri 21 A Fbn La

Eli Manning, Adam Vinatieri among 25 HOF semifinalists

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First-time nominees Eli Manning, Adam Vinatieri and Luke Kuechly are among the 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 with former Rams wide receiver Torry Holt hoping a 12th time is the charm.

Vinatieri, Kuechly, Manning, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas and Marshal Yanda are the first-time candidates who last played in 2019 in the pool of semifinalists, which will be reduced to 15 by the end of the current season.

Holt is a semifinalist for the 12th time and nine-time semifinalists Hines Ward and Darren Woodson have been debated by Selection Committee the second-longest. Woodson was first a semifinalist in 2015; Ward joined the list in 2016.

Offensive linemen Richmond Webb, who retired following the 2002 season, is also a first-time semifinalist.

2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Modern-Era nominee semifinalists:

Eric Allen, CB — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
Times as a Semifinalist: 5 — 2021-25

Jared Allen, DE — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
Times as a Semifinalist: 5 — 2021-25

Willie Anderson, T — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Times as a Semifinalist: 5 — 2021-25

Anquan Boldin, WR — 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions
Times as a Semifinalist: 4 — 2022-25

Jahri Evans, G — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Times as a Semifinalist: 3 — 2023-25

Antonio Gates, TE — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
Times as a Semifinalist: 2 — 2024-25

James Harrison, LB — 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots
Times as a Semifinalist: 3 — 2023-25

Rodney Harrison, S — 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
Times as a Semifinalist: 4 — 2021, 2023-25

Torry Holt, WR — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Times as a Semifinalist: 11 — 2015-2025

Luke Kuechly, LB — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

Eli Manning, QB — 2004-2019 New York Giants
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

Robert Mathis, DE/LB — 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts
Times as a Semifinalist: 4 — 2022-25

Steve Smith Sr., WR — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
Times as a Semifinalist: 4 — 2022-25

Terrell Suggs, LB/DE — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

Fred Taylor, RB — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
Times as a Semifinalist: 6 — 2020-25

Earl Thomas, DB — 2010-18 Seattle Seahawks, 2019 Baltimore Ravens
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

Adam Vinatieri, PK — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

Hines Ward, WR — 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers
Times as a Semifinalist: 9 — 2016-2025

Ricky Watters, RB — 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks
Times as a Semifinalist: 5 — 2020, 2022-25

Reggie Wayne, WR — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
Times as a Semifinalist: 6 — 2020-25

Richmond Webb, T — 1990-2000 Miami Dolphins, 2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

Vince Wilfork, DT — 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans
Times as a Semifinalist: 4 — 2022-25

Steve Wisniewski, G — 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders
Times as a Semifinalist: 2 — 2014, 2025

Darren Woodson, S — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Times as a Semifinalist: 9 — 2015, 2017, 2019-2025

Marshal Yanda, G/T — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
Times as a Semifinalist: 1 — 2025

–Field Level Media

Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan during a recognition ceremony at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren among 9 coaching candidates for HOF

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Super Bowl-winning head coaches Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan and George Seifert are among the nine semifinalists from the coach category nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Only one finalist from the group can be named a finalist to be considered by the full Hall of Fame Selection Committee for possible election in 2025.

The Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee narrowed a list of 14 candidates to these semifinalists: Bill Arnsparger, Coughlin, Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Shanahan and Clark Shaughnessy. All but Arnsparger, Knox and Seifert reached the semifinalist stage in 2023.

The same committee is scheduled for a virtual meeting on Nov. 19 to nominate one finalist to be considered for enshrinement.

Earlier this week, the Hall of Fame semifinalists from the contributor category, from which one finalist will be up for consideration with the next Hall of Fame class, were released: K.S. “Bud” Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten.

A grand total of 20 finalists are presented for debate at the selection committee’s annual meeting in advance of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, including 15 modern-era players, three seniors, one coach and one contributor. Between four and eight new members will be selected, according to the Hall of Fame’s selection process bylaws.

–Field Level Media

Aug 3, 2024; Canton, OH, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 member Randy Gradishar poses with his bust at his enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Football Hall of Fame pares list of senior nominees

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Sixty former NFL players have made the cut to remain in consideration for selection into the seniors category of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

The newly formed Seniors Screening Committee whittled the list from 182 players, the Hall of Fame announced Thursday. Each player last appeared in a game in 1999 or earlier.

The list is littered with former Super Bowl winners, including quarterback Jim Plunkett; running backs Ottis Anderson and Roger Craig; defensive linemen L.C. Greenwood, Harvey Martin and Ed “Too Tall” Jones; linebackers Carl Banks and Lee Roy Jordan; and defensive backs Lester Hayes and Everson Walls.

Only one person who played primarily on special teams is included — Steve Tasker, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection who appeared in four consecutive Super Bowl losses with the Buffalo Bills in the early 1990s.

The nine-member Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will pare down the list further to three nominees later this year.

Ten players on the list of 60 reached the semifinal stage last year when Steve McMichael and Randy Gradishar were elected in the senior category.

The returning semifinalists are Anderson, Craig, Maxie Baughan, Joe Jacoby, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Art Powell, Sterling Sharpe, Otis Taylor and Al Wistert.

The 2025 enshrinement ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, will be held Aug. 9.

The senior players who remain eligible for election with the Class of 2025 are:

QUARTERBACKS (5): Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Roman Gabriel, Jack Kemp, Jim Plunkett.

RUNNING BACKS (7): Alan Ameche, Ottis Anderson, Larry Brown, Roger Craig, Chuck Foreman, Cecil Isbell, Paul “Tank” Younger.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS (10): Mark Clayton, Isaac Curtis, Boyd Dowler, Henry Ellard, Harold Jackson, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Stanley Morgan, Art Powell, Sterling Sharpe, Otis Taylor.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (12): Ed Budde, Ox Emerson, Bill Fralic, Chris Hinton, Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, Ralph Neely, Dick Schafrath, Jim Tyrer, Al Wistert.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): L.C. Greenwood, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Jim Marshall, Harvey Martin, Leslie O’Neal, Bill Stanfill.

LINEBACKERS (11): Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Bill Bergey, Joe Fortunato, Larry Grantham, Lee Roy Jordan, Clay Matthews Jr., Tommy Nobis, Andy Russell, Pat Swilling, Phil Villapiano.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (8): Dick Anderson, Deron Cherry, Pat Fischer, Lester Hayes, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Lemar Parrish, Everson Walls.

SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Steve Tasker.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is one of 167 nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch, lead 2025 Hall of Fame nominees

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Giants quarterback Eli Manning and few other familiar Super Bowl performers are among 167 modern-day nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Running back Marshawn Lynch, kicker Adam Vinatieri, defensive end Terrell Suggs and late wide receiver Demaryius Thomas are among first-year nominees with Lombardi Trophy resumes. That list also includes offensive tackle Joe Staley, safety Earl Thomas, center Ryan Kalil and tight end Vernon Davis.

In an evolved process, the 2025 selection protocol changed to include a committee assigned to “screen” the larger list of modern-day candidates to 50 finalists over the next month. From there, the 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee trims the list to 25 semifinalists and a second vote narrows the pool to 15 finalists. The committee debates the merits of the finalists and selects the new class to be introduced one day prior to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans in February.

Players are required to be five full seasons from their last game to be eligible for nomination, meaning anyone who last played during the 2019 season is eligible for the first time in the 2025 class.

Multiple finalists from the 2024 Hall of Fame class are nominated again, including wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt, pass rusher Jared Allen, offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, running back Fred Taylor and defensive backs Eric Allen and Darren Woodson.

Manning is one of 10 quarterbacks nominated for the 2025 class. Late Titans quarterback Steve McNair, former Eagles and Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham and Tony Romo (Cowboys) are repeat nominees.

A two-time Super Bowl winner and the No. 1 pick in 2004, Manning played 16 seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants. He was MVP of both Super Bowl wins and he played 236 regular-season games (234 starts) with the Giants, who acquired the Ole Miss product in a draft-day trade — from the Chargers for No. 4 pick Philip Rivers. Manning beat the Patriots in Super Bowls XLII — New England was 18-0 — and XLVI with fourth-quarter drives to take the lead. Manning is one of 21 quarterbacks to win a Super Bowl without losing one.

Older brother Peyton Manning was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. Former Eli Manning teammate Tiki Barber is a 2025 nominee also bidding to join his brother in Canton. Barber was a running back with the Giants and is the twin of longtime Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, who was a member of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class.

The running back nominees include Shaun Alexander (Seahawks), Jamal Lewis (Ravens), Clinton Portis (Washington, Broncos), Corey Dillon (Bengals, Patriots) and Thomas Jones (Jets, Bears). Adrian Peterson, who retired in 2021, and Frank Gore, are not yet eligible. Gore is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 16,000 yards in a career that spanned five teams from 2005-2020 and Peterson is No. 5 on the list (14,918).

Lynch was known as “Beast Mode” for his powerful running style. He retired for the first time in 2015 due to injuries, then returned to play for his then-hometown Oakland Raiders in 2017. After another retirement, Lynch returned to join the Seattle Seahawks for the last game of the regular season and playoffs. A first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2007, he joined the Seahawks in 2010. He had 10,413 rushing yards and 94 touchdowns and played a starring role with the Seahawks in two Super Bowls. Lynch was a member of Seattle’s Super Bowl-winning team (XLVIII) in his fourth season with the team.

Barber is narrowly ahead of Lynch on the NFL’s all-time rushing list — with 10,449 yards — and one of 31 backs with more than 10,000 career rushing yards. Sixteen are in the Hall of Fame. Former McNair teammate and longtime Titans running back Eddie George is between Barber and Lynch on the NFL’s all-time rushing list and one of 31 running backs nominated.

Vinatieri played 24 seasons in the NFL with the Patriots and Colts. Undrafted in 1996, Vinatieri would become synonymous with playoff success on Bill Belichick-coached teams, winning four Super Bowl (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI). He signed with Indianapolis following the 2005 season to help Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and quarterback Peyton Manning win the Super Bowl with the Colts in February 2007.

A number of other players tied to the Patriots dynasty are nominees, including Vince Wilfork, Mike Vrabel, Logan Mankins, Willie McGinest and 2024 finalist Rodney Harrison.

Vinatieri retired in 2019 after 24 seasons as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and holding league records for field goals made (599), postseason points (238) and field goals made in overtime (12).

Previous Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt and Vinatieri special teams teammate in Indianapolis, punter Pat McAfee, are 2025 nominees.

A two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Thomas was Peyton Manning’s lead receiver when the Broncos claimed Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers in 2016. Thomas caught 63 touchdowns in his career and totaled 9,763 receiving yards in his career which included part of the 2018 season with the Houston Texans and short stints with the Patriots and Jets in 2019. He died at age 33 in 2021.

2025 MODERN-DAY NOMINEES
* – 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist

QUARTERBACKS (10): Marc Bulger, Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Doug Flutie, Rich Gannon, Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Steve McNair, Tony Romo

RUNNING BACKS (31): Shaun Alexander, Terry Allen, Jamal Anderson, Tiki Barber, Larry Centers (FB), Jamaal Charles, Stephen Davis, Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn, Charlie Garner, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Thomas Jones, John Kuhn (FB), Vonta Leach, Dorsey Levens, Jamal Lewis, Marshawn Lynch, Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), Glyn Milburn (also WR), Lorenzo Neal (FB), Clinton Portis, Tony Richardson (FB), Robert Smith, Darren Sproles (also PR/KR), Fred Taylor*, Chris Warren, Ricky Watters, Ricky Williams

WIDE RECEIVERS (21): Anquan Boldin, Donald Driver, Antonio Freeman, Irving Fryar, Torry Holt*, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Derrick Mason, Herman Moore, Muhsin Muhammad, Jordy Nelson, Andre Rison, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Demaryius Thomas, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne*, Wes Welker, Roddy White

TIGHT ENDS (6): Ben Coates, Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, Jeremy Shockey, *Delanie Walker, Wesley Walls

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (26): Willie Anderson* (T), Bruce Armstrong (T/G), Matt Birk (C), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans* (G), Travis Frederick (C), Jordan Gross (T), Ryan Kalil (C), Lincoln Kennedy (T), Olin Kreutz (C), T.J. Lang (G/T), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Tom Nalen (C), Jeff Saturday (C), Mark Schlereth (G/C), Josh Sitton (G), Chris Snee (G), Joe Staley (T), Dave Szott (G), Brian Waters (G), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (18): John Abraham (DE also LB), Jared Allen* (DE), La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Casey Hampton (DT/NT), Robert Mathis (DE), Chester McGlockton (DT), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Clyde Simmons (DE/DT), Justin Smith (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Henry Thomas (DT/NT), Justin Tuck (DE), Ted Washington (NT/DT), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Jamal Williams (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT), Pat Williams (DT)

LINEBACKERS (20): Jessie Armstead, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Cornelius Bennett, Lance Briggs, Keith Brooking, NaVorro Bowman, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, James Farrior, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Willie McGinest (also DE), Ken Norton Jr., Julian Peterson, Bill Romanowski, Takeo Spikes, Terrell Suggs, Mike Vrabel, Lee Woodall

DEFENSIVE BACKS (18): Eric Allen* (CB), Eric Berry (DB), Antoine Bethea (S), Dré Bly (DB), Kam Chancellor (S), Nick Collins (DB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), DeAngelo Hall (DB), Rodney Harrison* (S), Eugene Robinson (DB), Samari Rolle (DB), Allen Rossum (DB), Bob Sanders (S), Aqib Talib (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson* (S)

PUNTERS/KICKERS (15): David Akers (K), Gary Anderson (K), Darren Bennett (P), Jason Elam (K), Jeff Feagles (P), Jason Hanson (K), John Kasay (K), Sean Landeta (P), Shane Lechler (P), Pat McAfee (P), Brian Moorman (P), Matt Stover (K), Matt Turk (P), Mike Vanderjagt (K), Adam Vinatieri (K)

SPECIAL TEAMS (2): Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB)

–Field Level Media

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

Bears, Texans to meet in Hall of Fame game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will meet in the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

The Hall of Fame announced the participants on Tuesday, and the teams were natural selections. Three former members of the Bears — Devin Hester, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers — and Andre Johnson from the Texans are among the members of the organization’s 2024 class.

The game is set for Aug. 1 in Canton, Ohio, with the Hall of Fame enshrinement following Aug. 3.

Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar and Patrick Willis also will be inducted during ceremonies.

Johnson will be the first player who played the majority of his career with the Texans to have a bust in Canton. With the three additions, 32 former Bears will be in the Hall of Fame.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Former Carolina Panthers great Julius Peppers is honored on the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Julius Peppers, Antonio Gates among 25 Hall of Fame semifinalists

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates are among 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Peppers, a prolific pass rusher for the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, and Gates, a tight end for the San Diego Chargers, joined 18 players who were semifinalists for the Class of 2023.

Eight of the final 15 in the ’23 class are again semifinalists, including Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.

Peppers had 159.5 career sacks and 10 seasons with double-digit sacks. Like Gates, Peppers was a three-time All-Pro. Gates helped redefine his position and was an All-Pro in just his second season. He played a total of 16 seasons and is behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten among tight ends in NFL history with 955 catches for 11,841 yards. Gates’ 116 touchdown receptions set the NFL record for tight ends.

Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who retired following the 2006 season, joins Peppers and Gates as first-time semifinalists.

The 25 semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists before the final voting process for the Class of 2024 takes place in Las Vegas ahead of Super Bowl LVIII in February.

Also under consideration in February are the recommended nominees of the Hall of Fame’s Coach/Contributor Committee: Buddy Parker; and its Seniors Committee: Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell.

–25 modern-day semifinalists
The following is the list of 2024 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists, including their positions, years in the NFL and teams.

Also listed are the number of times and years the candidate has been named a Semifinalist since this reduction vote was added to the Hall’s bylaws in 2004.

Eric Allen, CB, 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Jared Allen, DE, 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Willie Anderson, T, 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Tiki Barber, RB, 1997-2006 New York Giants | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
Anquan Boldin, WR, 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Jahri Evans, G, 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
London Fletcher, LB, 1998-2001 St. Louis Rams, 2002-06 Buffalo Bills, 2007-13 Washington Redskins | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
Dwight Freeney, DE, 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
Antonio Gates, TE, 2003-18 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
Eddie George, RB, 1996-2003 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2022, 2024)
James Harrison, LB, 2002-12, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
Rodney Harrison, S, 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2021, 2023-24)
Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR, 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Torry Holt, WR, 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 – 2015-2024)
Andre Johnson, WR, 2003-14 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Robert Mathis, DE/LB, 2003-16 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Julius Peppers, DE, 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
Steve Smith Sr., WR, 2001-13 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Fred Taylor, RB, 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-10 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Hines Ward, WR, 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2017-2024)
Ricky Watters, RB, 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2020, 2022-24)
Reggie Wayne, WR, 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Vince Wilfork, DT, 2004-14 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Patrick Willis, LB, 2007-14 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Darren Woodson, S, 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2024)

–Field Level Media

Aug 4, 2023; Canton, OH, USA; A general overall view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1950s-era coach Buddy Parker named Hall of Fame finalist

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buddy Parker, who led the Detroit Lions to two NFL championships in the 1950s, was selected as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class.

The coach, who died in 1982 at age 68, also is credited by the Hall of Fame as being the inventor of the two-minute offense.

Parker was selected by the Coach/Contributor Committee, the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. His name will now go to the Hall of Fame’s 50-member Selection Committee, who will consider Parker along with 15 modern-era players and three seniors for enshrinement when the committee meets early next year.

It will require 80 percent approval from the committee for selection.

The list of semifinalists in the category was made up, in part, of Super Bowl-winning coaches and prominent owners. The semifinalists were Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Dan Reeves, Art Rooney Jr., Marty Schottenheimer, Mike Shanahan, Clark Shaughnessy, Lloyd Wells and John Wooten.

In 15 seasons as a coach in the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals, Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, Parker had a career record of 107-76-9, which includes a 3-1 record in the postseason.

His Lions won the 1952 and 1953 NFL title games, both against the Cleveland Browns. Detroit dropped the 1954 game to the Browns in what was Parker’s only head-to-head loss against Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown in five meetings as the Lions’ coach.

–Field Level Media