There's no higher honor for those who mount the glistening plains of the NFL than induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
This year, four modern era talents will make the leap. Their names pockmark record books across the league — some for their defensive exploits, others for their offensive artistry.
Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe enjoyed glint careers in the spotlight, collecting 24 Pro Bowl selections, 11 All-Pro appearances between them. Now, their trophy cases will be adorned with another notable addition, one which figures to outshine all the rest — an intricately-woven gold jacket.
Here's what you need to know about the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
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Meet the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class
Eric Allen, CB, 1988-2001
- Teams: Eagles, Saints, Raiders
- Pro Bowls: 6 | All-Pro nods: 1
- Super Bowl rings: 1
- Draft: Second round, 1988, No. 30 overall from Arizona State
- Career interceptions: 54 (21st all-time)
Few defensive backs were as tenacious as Eric Allen. He was a gifted ball-hawk who posted seven seasons with at least four interceptions.
Allen was also a force in the open field, recording four interception returns for touchdowns in 1993 and three interception returns for touchdowns in 2000. A steady performer in all three stops of his career, Allen finally gets outfitted in brass, 25 years after his last NFL game.
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Eagles ever
Jared Allen, EDGE, 2004-2015
- Teams: Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, Panthers
- Pro Bowls: 5 | All-Pro nods: 4
- Draft: Fourth round, 2004, No. 126 overall from Idaho State
- Career sacks: 136.0 (16th all-time)
Allen was nothing if not consistent during his 12-year odyssey in the NFL. He recorded eight seasons with at least 10 sacks, including a 22-sack campaign in 2011 that landed him The Sporting News' Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Allen collected four First-Team All-Pro appearances from 2007-11. He used an assortment of feints and spins to wreak havoc upon opposition quarterbacks for the better part of a decade.
MORE: Ranking the 16 greatest Chiefs ever
Antonio Gates, TE, 2003-2018
- Team: Chargers
- Pro Bowls: 8 | All-Pro nods: 3
- Draft: Undrafted from Kent State
- Career touchdowns: 116 (7th all-time)
Gates is one of the league's greatest undrafted players. The Kent State product was a gifted basketball player in his youth. He used those skills to great effect across the lush terrain he traipsed along during his NFL career. Gates ranks seventh in career touchdown grabs, corralling 116 unruly efforts during his 16-year career.
MORE: Who is the best TE of all-time?
Sterling Sharpe, WR, 1988-1994
- Team: Packers
- Pro Bowls: 5 | All-Pro nods: 3
- Draft: First round, 1988, No. 7 overall from South Carolina
- Career touchdowns: 65
Sharpe only lasted seven seasons before being struck down by a neck injury. It happened to be one of the finest seven-year stretches in league history. The Packers pass-catcher — and elder brother of fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe — collected three All-Pro appearances and a Super Bowl ring during his pomp. He led the league in receptions on three occasions and claimed the wide receiver triple crown in 1992.
MORE: Ranking the 17 greatest Packers ever