The selection committee is currently engaging in voting whose names are set to be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The committee has now widdled down the number to 25 players. Two of them are modern-day players: former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly.
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Manning and Kuechly are joined by fellow modern-day semi-finalists Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri, and Marshal Yanda. All these names played their last during the 2019 season.
The full list of nominees, positions, and number of times as a semifinalist are as follows:
- 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 – 2017-2025)
- 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)
It would be interesting if Manning were to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Many believe that his stats as a quarterback and overall performance do not warrant a trip to Canton. However, his claim to fame is leading his team to defeat the New England Patriots twice during the Tom Brady-led dynasty years.
Manning ended his 16-year career with 236 games played, 4,895 completions, 8119 attempts, 60.3 completion percentage, 57,023 yards, 366 touchdowns, 244 interceptions, and a passer rating of 84.1
Manning also secured 567 rushing yards on 315 carries and seven touchdowns.
Kuechly, on the other hand, has accolades that include NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, NFL Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time First-Team All-Pro, two-time Second-team All-Pro, two-time combined tackles leader, and more.
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Kuechly would eventually retire early at the age of 28 due to multiple concussions, but he is arguably one of the best linebackers the game has ever seen.
Both Manning and Kuechly have made a case for their entrance into the Hall of Fame, and it will be interesting to see if they are named one of the 15 finalists later this year.
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