The Pro Football Hall of Fame has officially revealed its list of 167 modern-era players nominated for the Class of 2025.
Among the first-time nominees are several high-profile names, including quarterback Eli Manning, running back Marshawn Lynch, and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The announcement, made today, marks the beginning of the selection process for the Hall of Fameās next class.
A total of 16 first-year eligible players are in contention this year, making for an exciting ballot packed with well-known talent.
Eli Manningās nomination is already sparking debate. The former New York Giants quarterback is a two-time Super Bowl MVP, best remembered for leading his team to two championships, including arguably the greatest win in NFL history – the Super Bowl XLII upset victory over the undefeated New England Patriots.
However, critics point to Manningās career record of 117-117, with 366 touchdowns and 244 interceptions, and argue that it’s not Hall of Fame worthy.
Joining Manning as first-year nominees are other standout players, such as offensive linemen Marshal Yanda, Joe Staley, Ryan Kalil, and Travis Frederick; running backs Marshawn Lynch and Darren Sproles; wide receiver Demaryius Thomas; tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker; linebackers Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs; defensive backs Antoine Bethea, Aqib Talib, and Earl Thomas; and veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The Hall of Fameās Screening Committee will narrow the list of 167 down to 50 semifinalists in October.
From there, the 50-person Selection Committee will further trim the list to 25 later in the fall. Ultimately, the finalists will be reduced to 15, and the final selections will be debated ahead of Super Bowl LIX.
The 2025 Hall of Fame class will include three to five modern-era players.
Here’s a look at the complete list of the nominees…
QUARTERBACKS
Marc Bulger
Randall Cunningham
Jake Delhomme
Doug Flutie
Rich Gannon
Jeff Garcia
Donovan McNabb
Eli Manning
Steve McNair
Tony Romo
RUNNING BACKS
Shaun Alexander
Terry Allen
Jamal Anderson
Tiki Barber
Larry Centers (FB)
Jamaal Charles
Stephen Davis
Corey Dillon
Warrick Dunn
Charlie Garner
Eddie George
Priest Holmes
Steven Jackson
Chris Johnson
homas Jones
John Kuhn (FB)
Vonta Leach
Dorsey Levens
Jamal Lewis
Marshawn Lynch
Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR)
Glyn Milburn (also WR)
Lorenzo Neal (FB)
Clinton Portis
Tony Richardson (FB)
Robert Smith
Darren Sproles (also PR/KR)
Fred Taylor
Chris Warren
Ricky Watters
Ricky Williams
WIDE RECEIVERS
Anquan Boldin
Donald Driver
Antonio Freeman
Irving Fryar
Torry Holt
Joe Horn
Chad Johnson
Brandon Marshall
Derrick Mason
Herman Moore
Muhsin Muhammad
Jordy Nelson
Andre Rison
Jimmy Smith
Rod Smith
Steve Smith Sr.
Demaryius Thomas
Hines Ward
Reggie Wayne
Wes Welker
Roddy White
TIGHT ENDS
Ben Coates
Vernon Davis
Antonio Gates
Jeremy Shockey
Delanie Walker
Wesley Walls
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Willie Anderson (T)
Bruce Armstrong (T/G)
Matt Birk (C)
Lomas Brown (T)
Ruben Brown (G)
Jahri Evans (G)
Travis Frederick (C)
Jordan Gross (T)
Ryan Kalil (C)
Lincoln Kennedy (T)
Olin Kreutz (C)
T.J. Lang (G/T)
Nick Mangold (C)
Logan Mankins (G)
Tom Nalen (C)
Jeff Saturday (C)
Mark Schlereth (G/C)
Josh Sitton (G)
Chris Snee (G)
Joe Staley (T)
Dave Szott (G)
Brian Waters (G)
Richmond Webb (T)
Erik Williams (T)
Steve Wisniewski (G)
Marshal Yanda (G)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
John Abraham (DE also LB)
Jared Allen (DE)
La’Roi Glover (DT/NT)
Casey Hampton (DT/NT)
Robert Mathis (DE)
Chester McGlockton (DT)
Haloti Ngata (DT)
Simeon Rice (DE)
Clyde Simmons (DE/DT)
Justin Smith (DE)
Neil Smith (DE)
Henry Thomas (DT/NT)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Ted Washington (NT/DT)
Vince Wilfork (DT/NT)
Jamal Williams (DT/NT)
Kevin Williams (DT)
Pat Williams (DT)
LINEBACKERS
Jessie Armstead
Brendon Ayanbadejo
Cornelius Bennett
Lance Briggs
Keith Brooking
NaVorro Bowman
Tedy Bruschi
Donnie Edwards
James Farrior
London Fletcher
James Harrison
Luke Kuechly
Willie McGinest (also DE)
Ken Norton Jr.
Julian Peterson
Bill Romanowski
Takeo Spikes
Terrell Suggs
Mike Vrabel
Lee Woodall
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Eric Allen (CB)
Eric Berry (DB)
Antoine Bethea (S)
DrƩ Bly (DB)
Kam Chancellor (S)
Nick Collins (DB)
Antonio Cromartie (CB)
DeAngelo Hall (DB)
Rodney Harrison (S)
Eugene Robinson (DB)
Samari Rolle (DB)
Allen Rossum (DB)
Bob Sanders (S)
Aqib Talib (CB)
Earl Thomas (S)
Charles Tillman (CB)
Troy Vincent (CB)
Darren Woodson (S)
PUNTERS/KICKERS
David Akers (K)
Gary Anderson (K)
Darren Bennett (P)
Jason Elam (K)
Jeff Feagles (P)
Jason Hanson (K)
John Kasay (K)
Sean Landeta (P)
Shane Lechler (P)
Pat McAfee (P)
Brian Moorman (P)
Matt Stover (K)
Matt Turk (P)
Mike Vanderjagt (K)
Adam Vinatieri (K)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR)
Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB)
As the selection process moves forward, football fans are eager to see which legends of the game will be immortalized in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Who do you think deserves to get the nod?
Manning should certainly get in, whether it’s this class or another down the road … But do you think he’ll get the immediate vote and be a part of the 2025 class???
