The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their finalist for the Modern-Era category of the class of 2025. While only five of these players will eventually be inducted this year, it is an honor for all of these legendary athletes.
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The finalists are:
- Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
- Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
- Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Fred Taylor, Running Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
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The Class of 2025's Modern-Era Player list of candidates includes nine players who reached this stage during the selection process for the Class of 2024, five players in their first year of eligibility, and a first-time finalist in his fourth year of eligibility.
Of the list, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, and Marshal Yanda are all in their first year of eligibility, while Eric Allen is on his 19th.
The HOF also announced that "Five others — Seniors category Finalists Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe, and Jim Tyrer; along with Coach Finalist Mike Holmgren and Contributor Finalist Ralph Hay(Opens in a new window) — also are candidates for the Class of 2025. Voting on these five is done separately as its own group distinct from the Modern-Era Players."
The HOF's selection process for the Class of 2025 will induct between four and eight new members, though there is no fixed number.
The finalists for the Modern-Era Player category were selected by an independent committee from an initial pool of 167 nominees. This list was narrowed down in stages—first to 50 nominees, then 25 semifinalists—before the final 15 candidates were chosen.
This rigorous process reflects the Hall's mission to "Honor the Greatest of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, and Celebrate Excellence Together."
Voting is done through online platforms with oversight from Ernst & Young LLP, which has managed the process since the Centennial Class of 2020.
The Class of 2025 will be revealed on February 6 during the "NFL Honors" broadcast at 9 p.m. ET, with the enshrinement ceremony taking place in Canton, Ohio, in August.
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