Antonio Gates Joins 2025 Hall of Fame Class

The Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025 class includes Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe, marking the smallest induction group in 20 years due to new rules requiring candidates to receive 80% of the vote. Gates, a renowned tight end who transitioned from basketball to football, was inducted after a 16-year career with the Chargers, during which he set records with 116 touchdown receptions and 955 catches for 11,841 yards. Sterling Sharpe joins his brother Shannon, making them the first sibling duo in the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, notable figures like Eli Manning did not make the cut this year. The Hall of Fame class does not include a quarterback or coaches, reflecting the more selective criteria for induction. Gates' induction is celebrated by fans, particularly in San Diego, where he spent most of his career.