Quick thoughts about the four canton -bound inductors

It is rare for me to be stunned by a Hall of Fame class message, and yet I am here. I know Eli Manning – who was eligible for the first time this year – was a polarizing candidate, but still drove into New Orleans this week for the Super Bowl Lix and then Eli on giant advertising boards around the city, it felt inevitable.

I thought Eli – a native from New Orleans – was going to handle it this year, and I also thought that former Patriots and Colts -Kicker Adam Vinatieri was a lock, especially when considering one of his biggest – perhaps the biggest ? – Spark came in New Orleans to defeat Rams In the Super Bowl xxxvi.

However, it’s probably about who didn’t reach it – it’s time to celebrate those who came in!

Antonio GatesAt Eric Allen (There is the New Orleans -Connection) and former Bears -legend -ok, more like Chiefs and Vikings Legend – Jared Allen Were all amazing and well deserved. In fact, I thought Gates should come into the first ballot last year. He made eight straight pro bowls and was a three-time first-team all-pro. You may not know this, but he also played college basketball. Shocking, I know.

All that said, the person I am happiest for is Sterling Sharpe. He was absolutely legendary in his seven NFL seasons in a career that was truncated by an injury. I am not afraid to say that Sharpe may have been considered the leading recipient in the 1990s if he had been able to continue his career.