Eli Manning, the quarterback who surprisingly won the Super Bowl twice with the New York Giants by defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, stands out in the list of candidates who have been nominated for the first time to the NFL Hall of Fame.
The list also includes Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, winners of the NFL's best defensive player award, as well as kicker Adam Vinatieri, a four-time Super Bowl champion.
The Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday a total of 167 candidates for its 2025 class, including 16 who are appearing for the first time.
What is the selection process for the Hall of Fame like?
An expert committee will refine the list to 50 players next month. Another committee of 50 people will reduce the list to 25 semifinalists and then to 15 before the annual meeting prior to the Super Bowl where the new members will be announced.
Players will need to reach 80% of the votes to be inducted among the three to five players who will enter as candidates from the modern era.
The list of debut candidates includes offensive linemen Travis Frederick, Ryan Kalil, and Joe Staley; running backs Darren Sproles and Marshawn Lynch; receiver Demaryius Thomas; tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker; and defensive backs Antoine Bethea, Aqib Talib, and Earl Thomas.
There are also 10 players who were finalists a year ago: tight end Antonio Gates, wide 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 running back Fred Taylor.
How was Eli Manning's career?
Manning seeks to accompany his brother Peyton to the Hall of Fame after a brilliant career with the New York Giants. He was the overall first pick in the 2004 draft and spent his entire career with the "Giants". Eli Manning orchestrated the unexpected victory against the undefeated Patriots after the 2007 season, throwing the pass for the decisive touchdown to Plaxico Burress in the last minute and repeated a similar surprise in the 2011 season.
Manning is one of the 13 quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl titles, and eight of the new ones who were eligible for the Hall of Fame were inducted. The only one left out has been Jim Plunkett, of Mexican roots, along with others with more recent careers such as Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and Patrick Mahomes, who cannot yet be chosen for the Hall of Fame as they need to have been retired for at least five years.