Eli Manning, Antonio Gates and Jared Allen headline the 25 semifinalists for football Hall of Fame

AP Pro Football Writer

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, prolific tight end Antonio Gates and dominant pass rusher Jared Allen are among the 25 modern-era candidates for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall announced the semifinalists after the selection committee cut down a list of 50 nominees made by a newly created screening committee. The list includes six players in their first year of eligibility and 10 players who were finalists last year. The full selection committee will next reduce the list of candidates to 15 finalists who will be voted on at the annual meeting before the Super Bowl that will produce the new class.