For some players who have tested patience in the past decade or more, the wait is over.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 2025 class Thursday night as part of the New Orleans NFL Honors show.

Cornerback Eric Allen was named Hall class for 25 in his 19 years of qualifying, Jared Allen was named after the fifth year of qualifying, and tight Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Sharpe's career was shortened by his congenital neck condition and he was selected as a senior finalist.

This year's courses were selected by the Selection Committee at a virtual meeting. The new Hall of Fame will be held in Canton, Ohio in August.

This is a careful study for grade 2025:

Eric Allen, cornerback

Philadelphia Eagles, 1988-1994; New Orleans Saints, 1995-97; Oakland Raiders, 1998-2001

Allen, the Eagles’ second round pick, is a consistent study of excellence and durability. He was a modern candidate’s 20-year deadline and played his last game in 2001. Allen played at least 15 games in 13 of 14 seasons and had a six-impedance season in 2000's 35-year-old season. In 1993, he returned four of his six Pro Bowl seasons.

Why he was elected: Allen's 54 professional interceptions are the 21st in history, with 14 of the 20 players ahead of him in HOF. Allen intercepted Hall of Famers John Elway, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Troy Eckman and Brett Favre. He led the NFL in 1993's interception return yards, when he earned four touchdowns and scored a three-touchdown season in 2000.

He has at least five interceptions in six seasons, with his 34 interceptions as Hawks cornerback tied with Bill Bradley and Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. Allen was six Pro Bowl games and was selected as UPI Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. Allen is also the only player in league history, with at least three interception touchdowns in two seasons.

Signature Moment: For many, this is Allen's 94-yard pick against Boomer Esiason and the New York Jets in 1993. Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham suffered losses earlier in the game, with Allen's interception being the game champion. After the script, Allen ran to Cunningham on the sideline crutch and handed the quarterback to the ball.

Quote: “I told myself a long time ago, ‘If you can have a full season and can’t get more than two interceptions, it’s time to go’ can let me play.’- Allen's Talk about Why He Chooses to Retire after the 2001 Season

Jared Allen, defensive end

Chief of Kansas City, 2004-2007; Vikings, Minnesota, 2008-2013; Chicago Bear, 2014-2015; Carolina Panther, 2015

Allen is the Chiefs' fourth round pick in the 2004 draft, and is a high-energy, high-intensity player. He is one of the most coveted players of any defensive coordinator – a down-to-earth game, season-to-season impact passer. Allen's 136 career sacks have been ranked 12th since Sacks became the official statistics in 1982. Of the 11 players in front of him, 10 are in the Hall of Fame, while eighth-placed Terrell Suggs is a finalist this year.

Why he was elected: Allen's four occupational safety features are league records, and he usually creates mistakes for his opponents. He forced 32 turnovers, deflected 58 passes, intercepted 6 passes, and recovered 19 turnovers in his career. He tied for fourth in a season with 22 sacks in 2011. He also has at least 10 sacks in eight seasons and leads the league twice in the category (2007 and 2011).

These achievements were after a tough start to his career, including two DUI arrests and suspensions for violating the league’s drug/alcohol policy. He has been a five-time Pro Bowl and four-time Pro in 12 seasons and has actively worked with off-court charities.

Signature Moment: Allen pretended to be tied with a calf on the ropes, which was his homage to the raising of the horse ranch. He would even reach out like the Mavericks stop the clock in a rodeo.

Quote: "You went through life and had a maturity process. I made some mistakes early in my career and you learned a little from it. Minnesota is a place that helped me grow into a man. ... There, I Some habits are being changed and growing to make you do it with you. Allen retired at Vikings

Antonio Gates, tight

San Diego/Los Angeles Charger, 2003-2018

Gates, who played basketball at Kent State and helped Golden Flash appear eight times in 2002, was signed by the Chargers in 2003 as an undrafted free agent. He completed his NFL career with a 955 reception, the fourth largest reception. The tension in NFL history, with 116 touchdowns, is the most tense. Gates and Hall of Fame Tony Gonzalez are the only tension in league history, with more than 100 professional touchdowns.

Why he was elected: Gates is the eight-time Pro Bowl option, six times earning the first or second team. He has more than 21 games and eight seasons, with at least 8 touchdown catches. He retained the franchise record of the charger for reception and reception codes (11,841). Chargers won four AFC West titles in his career at Gates, with his 89 touchdowns from Philip Rivers being an NFL record, winning quarterback receivers two when he retires The record of the group (now ranked third).

Signature Moment: His career has a lot - one-handed grab, leading the pass, he turned into a big game, boxing against overly matched defensive backs in the finish area - but he caught a 7-yard touchdown on September 17, 2017 The ball made Gates 112 in his career and broke Gonzalez's professional touchdown record, which was a tense ending.

Quote: "He was so hard to cover up that we had 'door domination' in the QB room. We'll talk about reading and drama, they all had 'door domination'. It almost means that if he was one-on-one, then just put it It throws there. '' - river

Sterling Sharpe, wide receiver

Green Bay Packer, 1988-1994

Sharpe's career was shortened by congenital neck condition, but only Jerry Rice got more passes in the seven seasons of Sharpe's playing and won More touchdown catches. Although his career has been shortened by health issues, Sharp has not missed the regular season game - a total of 112 games. He has been a five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro.

Why he was elected: Sharpe's brother Shannon is a Hall of Fame who has led the League in a catch game, once and twice for touchdowns in three seasons. In his final season, he scored 18 touchdowns but remains tied for the third highest single-season total in NFL history. Sharpe's 108 receptions in 1993 were the single-season record at the time, breaking his own record with 112 points the following season.

Signature Moment: Sharpe only played in the playoffs once in his 1993 career, and Brett Favre was Green Bay's second year as starting quarterback. But Sharpe took advantage of the 100-yard game in the playoffs between the two Packers. In a field victory over Detroit, he became the ninth player in league history, with three touchdown catches in the playoff game.

Quote: “I am the only professional footballer in the Hall of Fame, and I am the second best player in my own family.’ - ' - ' Shannon Sharpe in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech