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Eli Manning leads 1st-time HOF nominees for Class of 2025
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri are among the first-time nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. The Hall announced 167 modern era candidates for the class Wednesday that included 16 players nominated for the first time, including two-time All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda. A screening committee will reduce the list of nominees to 50 players next month. Then the full 50-person selection committee will cut the list down to 25 semifinalists and then 15 finalists for the annual meeting before the Super Bowl that will produce the new class. Players must get 80% of votes to get in. Under the Hall of Fame's bylaws, between three to five players can get in as modern era candidates.Manning will look to follow his brother Peyton into the Hall following a standout career with the New York Giants. Manning was picked first overall in the 2004 draft by the Chargers and traded to the Giants, spending his entire career in New York. He led the Giants to an upset win over the undefeated New England Patriotd in the Super Bowl following the 2007 season, throwing a game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute. He led another late TD drive to upset Tom Brady and the Patriots four years later. Manning is one of 13 QBs to win multiple Super Bowls, with eight of the nine who are eligible for the Hall getting inducted. Manning was a four-time Pro Bowl selection but never made All-Pro or led the league in a major statistical category in a season but finished his career with 57,023 yards passing and 366 TDs.
The other first-time candidates are offensive linemen Travis Frederick, Ryan Kalil and Joe Staley; running backs Marshawn Lynch and Darren Sproles; receiver Demaryius Thomas; tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker; and defensive backs Antoine Bethea, Aqib Talib and Earl Thomas. There are also 10 players back under consideration who were finalists a year ago. Tight end Antonio Gates, receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne; offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans; defensive backs Darren Woodson, Eric Allen and Rodney Harrison; defensive lineman Jared Allen; and running back Fred Taylor are back on the list. There will also be three senior candidates, grouped with one coach and contributor. At least one and no more than three of those finalists will get in based on voting.
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