Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe make the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the smallest induction class in 20 years following offseason rule changes meant to make it harder to get inducted.
Sharpe got in as a seniors candidate in voting announced Thursday night at the NFL Honors and will join younger brother Shannon as the first siblings ever inducted into the Hall. Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning fell short and won't join older brother Peyton in Canton, Ohio, this year.
The induction ceremony will be held Aug. 2.
While the small class is a change from past years when at least seven people got inducted in each of the previous 12 classes, it isn't unprecedented.
There were only four inductees in the 2005 class and there were 18 other years with three or four inductees since the first class of 17 was enshrined in 1963.
New rules were instituted this year after a push by Hall of Famers to make the Hall more exclusive and it led directly to the smaller class. The modern era candidates were voted from 15 down to seven in the final stage, instead of five in past years.
The 49 voters then got to vote for five of the seven with anyone reaching 80% or finishing in the top three getting into the Hall. In past years, the five finalists all got an up-or-down vote with all five getting in for the past 17 years.
The candidates from the seniors, coach and contributor categories were then all placed in a group with voters picking three. Candidates also needed 80% support with the top finisher automatically getting in even if he fell short.
Gates got elected in his second year of eligibility. He played only basketball in college before turning into one of the NFL's top tight ends after being drafted by the Chargers.
He became an All-Pro in just his second season in 2004. He was an All-Pro again the next two seasons and went on to have a 16-year career with the Chargers. Gates finished with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and an NFL record for tight ends with 116 touchdown receptions. He ranks seventh all-time in TD catches.
Jared Allen was a four-time All-Pro who finished his career with 136 sacks, including a league-leading 22 in 2011 for Minnesota. He also led the league in sacks with 15 1/2 for Kansas City in 2007 and reached double digits in seven straight seasons. His final game was a Super Bowl loss for Carolina against Denver in the 2015 season.
Eric Allen starred for 14 seasons as a top cornerback in the NFL and never had to move to safety as he aged. Allen's career spanned from the 'Fog Bowl' game in 1988 when he starred for Philadelphia as a rookie to the 'Tuck Rule' game in the 2001 season for Oakland in his final game.
Allen finished with 54 interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1989 and had two other seasons as a second-team selection.
Sharpe had a short but productive career for the Green Bay Packers from 1988-94. His best season came in 1992, when he became the sixth player to win the receiving triple crown, setting an NFL record with 108 catches for 1,461 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He broke his own record with 112 catches in 1993 and led the NFL with 18 touchdown receptions in his final season, 1994, before a neck injury cut his career short.
Sharpe was a three-time All-Pro and had 595 catches for 8,134 yards and 65 TDs. He trailed only Jerry Rice over his seven-year career in receptions and TD catches.
The Sharpe brothers will join three father-son tandems in the Hall: Tim and Wellington Mara; Art Rooney Sr. and Dan Rooney; and Ed and Steve Sabol.
The four other modern-era candidates who reached the final stage but fell short were Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. Those four automatically advance to the final 15 for next year's voting.
The other eight finalists who got cut earlier were Manning, Jahri Evans, Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.
The seniors candidates who fell short were Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer, with Mike Holmgren falling short as the coach and Ralph Hay as the contributor.
___
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scottish NFL player who signed eye-watering $10m contract reveals teammate now a LORD after purchasing Scots land
He's leading a Scottish revolution in New York and one teammate has gone to extraordinary lengths to join in HAMMER TIME Scottish NFL player who signed eye-watering $10m contract reveals teammate now a LORD after purchasing Scots land Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAMIE GILLAN has revealed how teammate Casey Kreiter became a Fife landowner to embrace the Scottish scene at New York Giants. Gillan - nicknamed 'The Scottish Hammer' - is back preparing for his seventh season as an NFL punter. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Jamie Gillan is leading a Scottish revolution with NFL side New York Giants Credit: Getty 4 Arbroath-born veteran Graham Gano is also a member of the Giants kicking corps Credit: Getty 4 Casey Kreiter (centre) has even purchased Scottish land to fit in with his teammates Credit: AP He's set for a fourth campaign in the Giants kicking corps alongside Arbroath-born veteran Graham Gano. Jude McAtamney from Derry in Northern Ireland was Gano's back-up last season. All of which made long-snapper Kreiter, from Iowa, the odd man out as a non-Brit. But Kreiter made sure he'll always have a piece of Scotland - much to the amusement of Gillan, who hails from Forres. Gillan, 27, said: 'I would say Graham is like family. I absolutely love that guy. 'Same with Jude who's fitted right in with this little band that we have going on. 'That's three foreigners and Casey, who even bought a square foot of land in Scotland - just so he can be one of us! 'He came into the lunch hall one day and said: 'Hey, just want to let you know you can call me Lord Kreiter from now on'. Most read in NFL COLOUR CHANGE Stoltman brothers make NFL history - but ditch favoured Rangers blue to do so 'He's got the certificate. And he even changed his locker room nameplate to 'Lord Kreiter'! 'It's great, you've got to have fun because game days can be stressful. Scottish NFL star Jamie Gillan's best moments as fans back him for Pro Bowl 'It's important to create this atmosphere in our little room of three or four guys by laughing and joking at the right time. 'We all rely on each other to do our jobs perfectly for one guy to do their job well.' Gillan, whose NFL career began at Cleveland Browns, has penned a new $10m three-year contract with the Giants. He's established as one of the league's top punters - 12 years after first starting American football in high school in Maryland. His RAF squadron leader dad Colin had uprooted the family from the Highlands following a job transfer to the States. Gillan is now dad to two-year-old Archie and his Ohio wife Casey is expecting their second son this summer. He's living the American dream but his sporting roots from Scotland will never leave him. The former teen rugby star for Merchiston Castle in Edinburgh loves educating pals and teammates about his first love. 'I'm looking forward to the Lions tour coming up and I watch the Six Nations every year,' said Gillan. 'Rugby is hard to get live out here but the Six Nations is streamed on Peacock, which is great. 'I get my buddies over to the house; we cook up a big breakfast and the first game starts at 9am. 'There's a few who have a rugby team Cleveland and enjoy it as well. 4 Punter Gillan was a teen rugby star and still follows the sport from the US Credit: Getty 'When I streamed the World Cup a couple of years ago, I had it on in the locker room. 'Guys were sitting around watching it noticing: Wow, they can only pass the ball backwards! 'Trying to explain to them is fun. They think it's mad. I think Scotland has a solid team right now. 'Finn Russell is electric, the pack is awesome. With Duhan Van Der Merwe and Darcy Graham on the other side, they've got some phenomenal players and are playing really well.' Giants are a long way from the glory days when Greenock-born kicker Lawrence Tynes helped them win the Super Bowl in 2008 and 2012. They've a tough task when the season begins in September after winning three of 17 games last year. Their NFC East division is a killer with reigning Super Bowl champs Philadelphia Eagles, last season's surprise package Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys. But they've added defensive star Abdul Carter through the draft and veteran quarterback Russell Wilson who won a Super Bowl with Seattle Seahawks. And Gillan reckons the right spirit is already stirring in their practices to hint at a better 2025. He said: 'As a team, we need to keep working hard to get more wins under our belt. 'Personally, there were ups and downs last season and I want to get more consistent. 'We can only control what we do in this building. If we do that the right way, create relationships and gel as a team, you can be unstoppable - no matter who you're playing against. 'That's what this time of year is for. Working out, working hard, practicing on the field. 'And a few of us golfing, playing darts and pool or getting dinner together. Our locker room vibe has been great. 'People underestimate the importance of those relationships before the real hard work comes round in July.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Independent
15 hours ago
- The Independent
Missouri governor signs stadium aid package intended to keep the Chiefs and Royals in the state
Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a legislative package on Saturday, approved by Missouri lawmakers earlier in the week, that includes hundreds of millions of dollars of financial aid intended to persuade the Chiefs and Royals to remain in the state. Kehoe, a Republican, had called lawmakers into special session and they approved of the package Wednesday. The Chiefs and Royals currently play at the Truman Sports Complex on the east side of Kansas City, where Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium share parking facilities. But their leases with Jackson County, Missouri, expire in January 2031, and the two franchises have been trying to decide the best route forward for the past several years. Last year, Jackson County voters defeated a sales tax extension that would have helped finance an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium — the home of the Chiefs — and a $2 billion ballpark district for the Royals in downtown Kansas City. The slow movement by those on the Missouri side of the state line in supporting the franchises prompted lawmakers in Kansas to authorize bonds for up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums in their state. The Royals have bought a mortgage for property in Kansas, though the team also has continued to pursue other possible sites in Missouri. The offer from Kansas is scheduled to expire June 30, and both teams have indicated they will hope to have a plan formulated by then. Missouri's legislation authorizes bonds covering up to 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums, plus up to $50 million of tax credits for each stadium and unspecified aid from local governments. If they choose to stay in Missouri, the Chiefs have floated plans for a $1.15 billion renovation of Arrowhead Stadium. The Royals have insisted all along that they intend to build a replacement for Kauffman Stadium. The stadium subsidies already were a top concern in Missouri when a deadly tornado struck St. Louis on May 16, causing an estimated $1.6 billion of damage a day after lawmakers had wrapped up work in their annual regular session. Disaster relief tied to stadium funding had widespread support. On Wednesday, Democratic state Rep. Kimberly-Ann Collins described to lawmakers how she had witnessed the tornado rip the roof off her house and damage her St. Louis neighborhood. 'Homes are crumbled and leveled,' said Collins, adding: 'It hurts me to my core to see the families that have worked so hard, the businesses that have worked so hard, to see them ripped apart.' The Chiefs, in a statement to The Associated Press, described the legislative vote this week as a 'significant step forward' that enables the team to continue exploring options to remain in Missouri. The Royals described the legislation as 'a very important piece of our decision-making process' but made no site-specific commitment. 'Our focus remains the same: to prioritize the best interests of our team, fans, partners and regional community as we pursue the next generational home for the Kansas City Royals,' the team said in a statement to the AP. Though they have no specific plans in the works, the St. Louis Cardinals also would be eligible for stadium aid if they undertake a project of at least $500 million. They built their existing Busch Stadium nearly 20 years ago. 'We have the chance to maybe save what is the symbol of this state,' said state Rep. Jim Murphy, a Republican from St. Louis County. The legislation did face some bipartisan pushback from those who described it as a subsidy for wealthy franchise owners. Others raised concerns that a property tax break for homeowners, which was added in the Senate to gain votes, violates the state constitution by providing different levels of tax relief in various counties while excluding others entirely. 'This bill is unconstitutional, it's fiscally reckless, it's morally wrong,' Republican state Rep. Bryant Wolfin said. ___
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Aussie golfer Jason Day sparks outrage by saying he supports two NFL teams... who are massive rivals
Australian golfer Jason Day risked the wrath of NFL fans in two major US cities with some striking comments about the team he supports. Going into day three of the US Open at Oakmont, Pennsylvania - a 20-minute drive from the city of Pittsburgh - Day was asked if he was paying tribute to the Steelers with his yellow-and-black bag. His answer left NFL fans stunned and even Day himself knew he was leaving himself open to criticism when he said it. 'No, unfortunately not,' Day said with a laugh about his bag. 'I do like Pittsburgh sports in general, even though I do live in Columbus, Ohio and my favorite football team is the Cleveland Browns. 'Even though they have a rivalry, my second favorite team is Pittsburgh. I know I am going to get a lot of slack for that. But yeah I do have the Pittsburgh colors on today, I'll leave it at that.' Jason Day emphasizes his allegiance to the Cleveland Browns despite using a black and yellow bag at Oakmont. ���� �� NBC & Peacock | #USOpen — NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 14, 2025 To say they have a rivalry was a big understatement from Day. The Browns-Steelers rivalry is the oldest in the NFL, with the two teams playing at least twice a season in the AFC North. The clip was shared by US Open broadcaster NBC on X and fans were inevitablu baffled by Day's answer. 'Gotta be close to an unforgivable offense,' read one reply, while another said: 'Not a real football guy. Can't have a 2nd favorite team. Definitely not your rival.' Last season, the Browns have struggled badly and ended the campaign with a miserable 3-14 record while the Steelers lost in the first round of the playoffs last year to the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns picked two quarterbacks in the recent NFL Draft in Green Bay including Shedeur Sanders in round six - after some had backed him to be taken in the top three. The Steelers have changed a signal caller too. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both left and this time around, they will have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, with the 41-year-old recently signing a one-year deal with the organization. Day, meanwhile, goes into round three of the US Open on three-over for the tournament - a respectable score given that only three players had an under-par score going into moving day.
