Allen was one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the NFL throughout his career. He racked up a total of 136 sacks in his 12-year career and became a fan-favorite with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings in the 2000s and 2010s.

The five years needed from retirement to eligibility will pass for these all-time great NFL players, who range from an all-time wide receiver in Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald to Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. There are some possible first-time ballot Hall of Famers on this list on both sides of the ball.

Former South Carolina Gamecocks and Green Bay Packers star Sterling Sharpe has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A dominant receiver who earned Heisman votes in college, Sharpe’s impact on the game is finally being recognized.

Carolina Panthers great Luke Kuechly will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The former linebacker was not voted as one of the four inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Kuechly was in his first year of eligibility for the honor.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WYMT) - The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nation’s only state-specific Pro Football Hall of Fame, proudly celebrates its 23rd year by announcing the Class of 2025 inductees. This year’s distinguished honorees include:

Steve Smith Sr. and Luke Kuechly may not have gotten their knocks this year, but at least another former Carolina Panther is headed to the Hall. On Thursday night, defensive end Jared Allen was named

Carolina’s all-time leading receiver Steve Smith Sr. will have to wait at least one more year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.