CANTON, OHIO -- Fifteen former standouts in the National Football League have reached the doorstep of enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the announcement this morning of the Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category for the Class of 2025 presented by Visual Edge.
Comprising the Class of 2025's Modern-Era Player list of candidates are nine players who also reached this stage in the selection process when the Class of 2024 was chosen, five players in their first year of eligibility and a first-time Finalist in his fourth year of eligibility.
The slate of candidates in the Modern-Era Player category will be considered when the Hall of Fame's Selection Committee meets prior to Super Bowl LIX. The Class of 2025 will be unveiled publicly Feb. 6 during the "NFL Honors presented by Invisalign" broadcast from Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, La., on FOX and NFL Network and streamed on NFL+. The show airs at 9 p.m. ET.
The players, along with their positions, years and teams 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
The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2025; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80% for election. Five others -- Seniors category Finalists Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer; along with Coach Finalist Mike Holmgren and Contributor Finalist Ralph Hay -- 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; a minimum of one person and a maximum of three from these combined categories may be elected under the Hall's bylaws.
While there is no set number for any class of Enshrinees, the Hall of Fame's current selection process bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members will be selected.
The Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category were determined by the Hall's independent Selection Committee from a list that originated with 167 nominees. It was reduced two other times (to 50 nominees and to 25 Semifinalists) before the cut to the 15 Finalists.
The selection process aligns with the Hall of Fame's important Mission to "Honor the Greatest of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values and Celebrate Excellence Together."
This year's voting process is completed via online platforms with oversight from the firm Ernst & Young LLP. EY's Agreed-Upon Procedures included validating the completeness of the ballots and tabulating the ballots in accordance with the bylaws established by the Hall's Board of Directors.
EY has overseen the Hall's selection process since the Centennial Class of 2020.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 presented by Visual Edge IT will be enshrined in August in Canton.
