Eli Manning headlines 16 1st-time HOF nominees

Two-time Tremendous Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Gamers of the 12 months Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri are among the many first-time nominees for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame’s class of 2025.

The Hall announced 167 modern era candidates for the class Wednesday that included 16 gamers nominated for the primary time, together with two-time All-Professional guard Marshal Yanda.

A screening committee will scale back the record of nominees to 50 gamers subsequent month. Then the total 50-person choice committee will lower the record right down to 25 semifinalists after which 15 finalists for the annual assembly earlier than the Tremendous Bowl that can produce the brand new class. Gamers should get 80% of votes to get in. Below the Corridor of Fame’s bylaws, between three to 5 gamers can get in as fashionable period candidates.

There will even be three senior candidates, grouped with one coach and contributor. Not less than one and not more than three of these finalists will get in primarily based on voting.

The opposite first-time candidates are offensive linemen Travis Frederick, Ryan Kalil and Joe Staley; operating 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 additionally 10 gamers again into consideration who have been finalists a yr in the past. Tight finish 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 operating again Fred Taylor are again on the record.

Manning will look to comply with his brother Peyton into the Corridor following a standout profession with the New York Giants. Manning was picked first general within the 2004 draft by the Chargers and traded to the Giants, spending his total profession in New York. He led the Giants to an upset win over the undefeated New England Patriots within the Tremendous Bowl following the 2007 season, throwing a game-winning landing cross to Plaxico Burress within the last minute.

He led one other late TD drive to upset Tom Brady and the Patriots 4 years later. Manning is one in every of 13 QBs to win a number of Tremendous Bowls, with eight of the 9 who’re eligible for the Corridor getting inducted.

Solely Jim Plunkett has not been inducted; newer gamers within the class comparable to Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Patrick Mahomes aren’t eligible.

Manning was a four-time Professional Bowl choice however by no means made All-Professional or led the league in a serious statistical class in a season however completed his profession with 57,023 yards passing and 366 TDs.

His greatest moments have been in these two postseason runs. Manning joined Brady (5), Mahomes (three), Joe Montana (three), Bart Starr (two) and Terry Bradshaw (two) as the one a number of winners of Tremendous Bowl MVP awards.

Kuechly and Suggs have been among the many prime defensive gamers of their period with Kuechly chosen as the highest defensive participant in 2013 and Suggs in 2011.

Kuechly’s profession was transient however impactful. The primary-round choose by the Carolina Panthers in 2012 was an All-Professional 5 instances in his eight-year profession with seven Professional Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the 12 months award.

Over his eight-year profession, Kuechly led all linebackers within the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).

Suggs was one of many prime cross rushers within the league over his 17-year profession, together with his 139 sacks rating eighth greatest since they grew to become an official stat in 1982.

Suggs had seven double-digit sack seasons in his 16 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, together with 14 in 2011 when he was chosen as the highest defensive participant within the league and led the NFL with seven pressured fumbles.

He gained Defensive Rookie of the 12 months in 2003 and helped the Ravens win the Tremendous Bowl within the 2012 season. He completed his profession in Kansas Metropolis the place he helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the Tremendous Bowl within the 2019 season.

Vinatieri was one of the crucial clutch kickers in NFL historical past, making the game-winning area objectives within the first two Tremendous Bowl titles throughout New England’s dynasty.

He helped launch the run with one of many sport’s best kicks — a 45-yarder within the snow to drive additional time within the Tuck Rule sport in opposition to the Raiders within the 2001 divisional spherical. He made the game-winning kick in OT to win that sport after which hit a 48-yarder on the ultimate play of a 20-17 win within the Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the Rams.

He then made a 41-yarder two years later to offer the Patriots a 32-29 win within the Tremendous Bowl in opposition to Carolina. Vinatieri additionally gained Tremendous Bowls in 2004 with New England and within the 2006 season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Vinatieri is the NFL chief in factors (2,673) and made area objectives (599) over a 24-year profession with New England and Indianapolis. He additionally leads all gamers with 56 area objectives and 238 factors within the postseason.

Yanda was a member of the 2010s all-decade crew as a key of Baltimore’s success. He additionally was chosen second-team All-Professional 5 instances and made the Professional Bowl in eight of his last seasons, lacking in 2017 when he performed solely two video games of an harm.

The Related Press contributed to this report.