The 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class was revealed on Thursday night at the NFL Honors ceremony, featuring a four-man class of Antonio Gates, Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe, who will be inducted later this summer in Canton. However, one notable name missing from the list is legendary quarterback Eli Manning, who enjoyed an illustrious career with the New York Giants and won two Super Bowls, including the remarkable upset of the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Yet, despite these accomplishments, Manning will not be enshrined on the first ballot.
Manning spoke with Jamie Erdahl of Good Morning Football on Friday about the snub and expressed that he is “at peace” with the situation, noting that the vibes weren’t in his favor. “I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be my night, and I understand that,” Manning told Erdahl, as reported by Jeremy Bergman. “I’m totally at peace. It’s not gonna change my outlook on my career and how I feel about it.”
Eli Manning on HOF “snub” to @JamieErdahl on @gmfb OT: “I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be my night, and I understand that. I’m totally at peace. It’s not gonna change my outlook on my career and how I feel about it.”
— Jeremy Bergman (@JABergman) February 7, 2025
Ultimately, Manning’s sense of peace is what truly matters. He has every right to feel as he does, and his calm reaction is fitting for someone of his stature. As he and others await their turn next year, prominent contenders for the Hall of Fame such as Larry Fitzgerald and Drew Brees are expected to join the conversation.
For now, we will have to see how long it takes for Eli to be inducted into Canton, but for the moment, things are copacetic.
