Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025

[E5 Yaz]

The nine Semifinalists in the Coach category this year are: Bill Arnsparger, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan and Clark Shaughnessy.

The nine Semifinalists in the Contributors category: K.S. "Bud" Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank "Bucko" Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten.

The Hall of Fame's Board of Directors voted earlier this year to separate those groups and send one Finalist from each through to the annual selection meeting to determine the new class.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nine-coaching-candidates-named-as-semifinalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025

 

[Kliq]

I really can't believe Mike Shanahan isn't in yet--not only was he an extremely successful head coach, but almost every team in the NFL is running some variation of his offense. His zone blocking scheme is STILL churning out big rushing totals with random running backs; see Jordan Mason this year.

 

[Hoya81]

I've never understood why the PFHoF seems hellbent on keeping it as small as possible. Only a few of the people listed here are borderline cases (Modell and Adams should be shunned forever for ripping beloved franchises away from their hometowns) and there would be little to no outcry about them getting in.

 

[j-man]

if kraft dont get in this year when will he get in
shasnahan needs in on the coaches side

 

[8slim]

I've never understood why the PFHoF seems hellbent on keeping it as small as possible. Only a few of the people listed here are borderline cases (Modell and Adams should be shunned forever for ripping beloved franchises away from their hometowns) and there would be little to no outcry about them getting in.

Totally agree. Last year when the players list was release I thought almost all of them should get in. It’s a very weird Hall.

 

[8slim]

Also, could you imagine Bucko Kilroy getting in before Kraft?!

 

[Cellar-Door]

wrong thread

 

[Al Zarilla]

Also, could you imagine Bucko Kilroy getting in before Kraft?!

Kraft doesn’t have one of these.

 

[E5 Yaz]

CLASS OF 2025 SEMIFINALISTS / MODERN-ERA PLAYERS

• Eric Allen, CB -- 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
• Jared Allen, DE -- 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
• Willie Anderson, T -- 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
• Anquan Boldin, WR -- 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
• Jahri Evans, G -- 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2023-25
• Antonio Gates, TE -- 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2024-25)
• James Harrison, LB -- 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2023-25)
• Rodney Harrison, S -- 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021, 2023-25)
• Torry Holt, WR -- 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 11 – 2015-2025)
• Luke Kuechly, LB -- 2012-19 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
• Eli Manning, QB -- 2004-2019 New York Giants | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
• Robert Mathis, DE/LB -- 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
• Steve Smith Sr., WR -- 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
• Terrell Suggs, LB/DE -- 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
• Fred Taylor, RB -- 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2020-25)
• Earl Thomas, DB -- 2010-18 Seattle Seahawks, 2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
• Adam Vinatieri, PK -- 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
• Hines Ward, WR -- 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2017-2025)
• Ricky Watters, RB -- 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020, 2022-25)
• Reggie Wayne, WR -- 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2020-25)
• Richmond Webb, T -- 1990-2000 Miami Dolphins, 2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
• Vince Wilfork, DT -- 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
• Steve Wisniewski, G -- 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2014, 2025)
• Darren Woodson, S -- 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2025)
• Marshal Yanda, G/T -- 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)

Eventually, 20 Finalists will be presented at the Selection Committee's annual meeting next year in advance of Super Bowl LIX: 15 Modern-Era Players, three Seniors, one Coach and one Contributor.
https://www.nfl.com/news/25-modern-era-players-semifinalists-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025

 

[BaseballJones]

Man there are so so many really great players that will simply never sniff the football HOF. Just too many guys.

 

[tims4wins]

I pray that someone in the room has the stones to vehemently argue against Eli.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Man there are so so many really great players that will simply never sniff the football HOF. Just too many guys.

True. Some of the "times as a semifinalist" stats are just nuts.
First time for Richmond Webb ... 22 years after he retired

 

[BaseballJones]

I guess when you have a league with 1,696 active players at any time (32 teams x 53 players - far, far more than any other league), that adds up to a ton of really good players. Can't have 'em all in the HOF.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

I pray that someone in the room has the stones to vehemently argue against Eli.

‘So, we can lock in Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan now, yeah? We good?’

 

[tims4wins]

‘So, we can lock in Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan now, yeah? We good?’

Right it's really simple, do a blinded played A / B / C comparison

Fuck it

Rivers 64.9% 5.2% TD 2.6% INT 7.8 YPA 95.2 rating 63K yards 421 TD 209 INT 8 pro bowl 2 top 10 MVP 3 top 10 APOY
Eli 60/3% 4.5% TD 3.0% INT 7.0 YPA 84.1 rating 57K yards 366 TD 244 INT 4 pro bowl 0 top 10 MVP 0 top 10 APOY

 

[Van Everyman]

Right it's really simple, do a blinded played A / B / C comparison

Fuck it

Rivers 64.9% 5.2% TD 2.6% INT 7.8 YPA 95.2 rating 63K yards 421 TD 209 INT 8 pro bowl 2 top 10 MVP 3 top 10 APOY
Eli 60/3% 4.5% TD 3.0% INT 7.0 YPA 84.1 rating 57K yards 366 TD 244 INT 4 pro bowl 0 top 10 MVP 0 top 10 APOY

I still have a Mussina-like resentment over Eli eeking out a win in his last game to give him a lifetime winning percentage of .500. A lifetime losing record almost certainly would've been a strong nail in the "He doesn't belong" coffin. But now I strongly suspect it will be hand-waved away.

 

[luckiestman]

Right it's really simple, do a blinded played A / B / C comparison

Fuck it

Rivers 64.9% 5.2% TD 2.6% INT 7.8 YPA 95.2 rating 63K yards 421 TD 209 INT 8 pro bowl 2 top 10 MVP 3 top 10 APOY
Eli 60/3% 4.5% TD 3.0% INT 7.0 YPA 84.1 rating 57K yards 366 TD 244 INT 4 pro bowl 0 top 10 MVP 0 top 10 APOY

I notice you left off an interesting piece of information.

 

[Van Everyman]

I notice you left off an interesting piece of information.

Wait, now you're stanning for the whole city?

 

[bankshot1]

Eli was a .500 W/L QB who was arguably a top 10-ish (of 30 QBs)
for several years. He only led the league in picks.

His career was two fucking passes, one lucky, one great, in 2 SB.

I do like his work with his brother though on Monday nights.

He's going in.

Harold Baines will smile.

 

[Devizier]

Guys. Eli is an absolute lock for the Hall of Fame. He gets in on the Namath/Bradshaw path.

 

[tims4wins]

I notice you left off an interesting piece of information.

Good point
Eli 117-117 .500
Rivers 134-106 .558

Thanks.

 

[tims4wins]

Hell I'll add playoffs too. Both played 12 games.

Rivers 59.4% 4.0% TD 2.5% INT 7.4 YPA 85.3 rating 3K yards 16 TD 10 INT 21.5 PPG
Eli 60.4% 4.5% TD 2.3% INT 7.0 YPA 87.4 rating 3K yards 18 TD 9 INT 19.3 PPG

PPG includes D/ST, I'm not going through all the playoff game summaries

 

[Hoya81]

Guys. Eli is an absolute lock for the Hall of Fame. He gets in on the Namath/Bradshaw path.

I’ve seen some promote Jim Plunkett along similar lines, but he never seems to get momentum.

 

[8slim]

I guess when you have a league with 1,696 active players at any time (32 teams x 53 players - far, far more than any other league), that adds up to a ton of really good players. Can't have 'em all in the HOF.

They could have ‘em all in the HOF if they wanted to. I hate small Halls and the NFL is the smallest among the big 3 major sports. I don’t understand why the Hall voters need to be so precious about admitting these guys. Like, what sanctity of the Hall are they protecting by not admitting Darren Woodson?! We could make an extremely compelling case for at least a dozen of the guys on the latest list. If not more.

 

[scottyno]

Of the 6 first time eligible guys 5 of them have a case for being the best player at their position for a long time, if not then certainly among the best, and then the 6th was maybe never even top 10 at his position in a single season and yet probably the biggest lock to get in this year. So dumb

 

[coremiller]

They could have ‘em all in the HOF if they wanted to. I hate small Halls and the NFL is the smallest among the big 3 major sports. I don’t understand why the Hall voters need to be so precious about admitting these guys. Like, what sanctity of the Hall are they protecting by not admitting Darren Woodson?! We could make an extremely compelling case for at least a dozen of the guys on the latest list. If not more.

It's not the voters, the HOF rules limit the selection committee to only 5 per year (plus the seniors and coaches/contributors). Unlike the MLB voters, the NFL voters use all the spots every year, although sometimes they waste those spots on marginal choices (I'm looking at you, Devin Hester).

 

[8slim]

It's not the voters, the HOF rules limit the selection committee to only 5 per year (plus the seniors and coaches/contributors). Unlike the MLB voters, the NFL voters use all the spots every year, although sometimes they waste those spots on marginal choices (I'm looking at you, Devin Hester).

Good catch, thanks for correcting me!

 

[luckiestman]

It’s really hard to rank order that list.

 

[Ale Xander]

AX picks:
Kuechly D - front 7
Vinatieri ST
Yanda O (OL)
Rodney D - back 4
Gates O (pass catcher)

Toughest omissions:
Evans (just behind Yanda)
Allen
Suggs for being an ass
Wayne/Smith how to pick?

 

[AB in DC]

Schefter tweets that Kraft isn't getting inducted this year.
View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1859754119281705108

 

[Pablo's TB Lover]

Lol who is on this committee? Patriots haters? Ralph fucking Hay?!

 

[Cellar-Door]

Kraft gonna fire Mayo and coach the team himself

 

[BaseballJones]

Why do you guys think Kraft just can’t get the votes? The guy has a ridiculously great resume as an owner and influencer in the league.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Lol who is on this committee? Patriots haters? Ralph fucking Hay?!

Only like 4 or 5 owners ever are in and generally not really for the team's on field success (which voters usually attribute to players/coaches). Also, pretty good articles about it last year, some of the committee members hate him literally because he's been campaigning so hard with Stacey James constantly pushing him to voters. Also I think some were turned off by the stuff like Dynasty

 

[Cellar-Door]

Why do you guys think Kraft just can’t get the votes? The guy has a ridiculously great resume as an owner and influencer in the league.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41073940/the-secret-history-robert-kraft-hall-fame-quest

This story has a lot of details. I am slightly surprised this year, but in the years he was up against coaches I'm not surprised (though Bowlen got in which I thought was weird).

 

[Awesome Fossum]

My ballot would be Kuechly, Jared Allen, Jahri Evans, Willie Anderson, and Earl Thomas.

I'm not going to be mad when he gets in, but I'm not even sure Eli belongs in an NFC East Hall of Fame.

 

[54thMA]

Kraft gonna fire Mayo and coach the team himself

Well at least he's got his team back, so there's that.

 

[Ale Xander]

Why do you guys think Kraft just can’t get the votes? The guy has a ridiculously great resume as an owner and influencer in the league.

Massage-gate being embarrassing for the league?

 

[singaporesoxfan]

Lol who is on this committee? Patriots haters? Ralph fucking Hay?!

Ralph Hay should be in the HoF before Kraft. In terms of contribution to the league, actually co-founding it means a heck of a lot more than being the owner of a very successful team and keeping that team in New England

 

[tims4wins]

I'm not even sure Eli belongs in an NFC East Hall of Fame.

I love this line

 

[BaseballJones]

Only like 4 or 5 owners ever are in and generally not really for the team's on field success (which voters usually attribute to players/coaches). Also, pretty good articles about it last year, some of the committee members hate him literally because he's been campaigning so hard with Stacey James constantly pushing him to voters. Also I think some were turned off by the stuff like Dynasty

So it's....pettiness and jealousy, basically. And annoyance, I guess.

 

[BigJimEd]

So it's....pettiness and jealousy, basically. And annoyance, I guess.

I'm sure that is some of it but you are ignoring the first sentence in that post. Kraft has done some good work with TV contracts but not sure that makes him HOF worthy. He's probably a borderline case at best in eyes of most outside NE. Add in spygate and the massage parlor arrest and it shouldn't be very surprising that Kraft can't get the votes.

 

[Commander Shears]

I don't think Kraft should even be considered until after Brady and Belichick are in, but that's just me. I do get a kick out of articles implying that any more than about twelve people give a hoot about an owner getting celebrated though.

 

[RobertS975]

I would feel differently about the omission of Robert Kraft if it weren't for the incongruous and inexplicable inclusion of Jerry Jones as far back as 2017.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

I would feel differently about the omission of Robert Kraft if it weren't for the incongruous and inexplicable inclusion of Jerry Jones as far back as 2017.

While we are on the subject, you can throw Eddie DeBartolo and Pat Bowlen into that group, too.

That said, I agree with a prior post - I won’t be losing a wink of slip over this. Kraft likely played way too hard in campaigning for the HOF for a decade plus.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I'm sure that is some of it but you are ignoring the first sentence in that post. Kraft has done some good work with TV contracts but not sure that makes him HOF worthy. He's probably a borderline case at best in eyes of most outside NE. Add in spygate and the massage parlor arrest and it shouldn't be very surprising that Kraft can't get the votes.

He's been one of the most prominent owners in the league during a period where the NFL ran away from the competition in terms of national popularity.

I think he'll get there eventually, because the category is open, there isn't really much competition, and his resume isn't any worse than guys like Pat Bowlen, Eddie DeBartolo, or Jerry Jones who were inducted in the last 10 years.

Edit: Or...what Mystic Merlin said.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I would feel differently about the omission of Robert Kraft if it weren't for the incongruous and inexplicable inclusion of Jerry Jones as far back as 2017.

Jones is basically the face of NFL ownership and has been for decades. He also had probably one of the biggest off-field impacts in his involvement with adding FOX to break the attempt by the Big 3 to reduce the cost of NFL TV rights. His off-field impact is probably much larger than Kraft's.

Bowlen was weird to me, but I looked it up and I had forgotten that he was the other guy with Jones who basically staged a coup against Modell to open up the rights war to FOX.

DeBartolo.... no clue.

Overall though, I'm never going to care about Owners in the Hall of Fame

 

[BigJimEd]

Fair enough point on the other owners. I do think Kraft probably gets in eventually. Unfortunately for him, I'm not sure it will be in his lifetime.

 

[Pablo's TB Lover]

Ralph Hay should be in the HoF before Kraft. In terms of contribution to the league, actually co-founding it means a heck of a lot more than being the owner of a very successful team and keeping that team in New England

On paper your point makes sense, but I mean the HOF has literally had 60 years to elect Hay and hadn't done so yet. So I'm not sure how highly the league thought of Hay's total contributions to this point. Hay also bought the team to try and promote his car dealership and jumped out of the new league 4 years after buying the Canton team. He has a city plaque and HOF award named after him so Hay's memory is secured, just not sure the totality of his legacy compares to Kraft's 30-year run.

 

[lexrageorge]

Jones is basically the face of NFL ownership and has been for decades. He also had probably one of the biggest off-field impacts in his involvement with adding FOX to break the attempt by the Big 3 to reduce the cost of NFL TV rights. His off-field impact is probably much larger than Kraft's.

Bowlen was weird to me, but I looked it up and I had forgotten that he was the other guy with Jones who basically staged a coup against Modell to open up the rights war to FOX.

DeBartolo.... no clue.

Overall though, I'm never going to care about Owners in the Hall of Fame

So Jones and Bowlen's claims to fame were that they helped usher in big TV deals. And, yeah, their teams won some Super Bowls, and Jones built a stadium.

Kraft purchased a financially failing team that was ready to move out of a potentially lucrative sports media market, won 6 Super Bowls, and was a very visible owner during some difficult labor negotiations. And Kraft built a new stadium in the process.

Sorry, not really seeing any difference here other than that Jones and Bowlen were simply good at the same self promotion that the ESPN article criticizes Kraft for doing. Nor am I ready to believe that Jones and Bowlen are some paragons of virtue when compared to Kraft and other owners.

Which comes back to the Occam's razor explanation:

So it's....pettiness and jealousy, basically. And annoyance, I guess.