Antonio Gates, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Sterling Sharp selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame has made it harder to earn induction to Canton.

The change in the statutes, which this year changed the way the 49 voters votes resulted in only one four-player class. Defensive back Eric Allen, defensive end jared allen, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe won election Thursday night.

The class is the smallest since 2005.

Sharpe was one of three senior candidates and the only one chose. Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Gates were chosen from the modern time player pool of candidates who began with 167 nominees who last played professional football in the 2019 season. This list was reduced three times (to 50 nominated, 25 semi -finalists and 15 finalists) before the annual selection meeting.

Former Packers and Seahawk’s main coach Mike Holmgren and former Giants -quarterback Eli Manning were two of the 16 who did not make elections this year. Willie Anderson, Torrry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri were the modern time players who moved on to the last seven without being elected, and they automatically move on to Final 15 for the class 2026.

Sterling Sharpe made history with his bother, Shannon, when they became the first brothers to be selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame. Three father-son-tandems are laid-down and Wellington Mara, Art Sr. and Dan Rooney and Ed and Steve Sabol.

Eric Allen and Jared Allen learned about their choices when another Hall of Famer knocked on the door to their homes. Gates and Sharpe experienced a “reverse knock” by showing up in a place where a Hall of Famer was waiting to deliver the news.

The class in 2025 will be enshrined on Saturday, August 2, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.