Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe were voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Sharpe being the first siblings to be inducted. The induction class was the smallest in 20 years, following new rules aimed at making induction more exclusive. Eli Manning fell short in his bid for induction, while his brother Peyton is already in the Hall.
The new rules led to a smaller class, with only four inductees this year. Candidates in the modern era category were narrowed down from 15 to seven, with voters then selecting five to get into the Hall. This is a departure from past years, where all five finalists were either voted in or out.
Gates, a former basketball player turned NFL tight end, was elected in his second year of eligibility. Allen was a four-time All-Pro defensive end known for his high sack totals. Eric Allen was a standout cornerback for 14 seasons, while Sterling Sharpe had a productive but shortened career as a wide receiver.
The other candidates who fell short this year, including Manning, will automatically advance to the final stage of voting next year. The seniors, coach, and contributor categories also had candidates that did not receive enough support for induction this year. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in August.
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