Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Eli Manning leads group of 1st-time eligible nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Sport

Eli Manning leads group of 1st-time eligible nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Sport

Sport

Eli Manning leads group of 1st-time eligible nominees for Pro Football Hall of Fame

2024-09-19 06:47 Last Updated At:06:51

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri are among the players nominated for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in their first year of eligibility.

The Hall announced 167 modern era candidates for the class on Wednesday that included 16 players who became eligible this year, including two-time All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda.

More Images
This combo of file photos shows, from left, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri, who are among the first-time nominees for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/File)

This combo of file photos shows, from left, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri, who are among the first-time nominees for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks a field goal from the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)

FILE - Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks a field goal from the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)

FILE - New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri (4), joined by teammate Ken Walter who held the ball, celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE - New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri (4), joined by teammate Ken Walter who held the ball, celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs celebrates after intercepting a pass by Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins during a preseason NFL football game in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs celebrates after intercepting a pass by Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins during a preseason NFL football game in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

FILE - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) returns a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) returns a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating his team's 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File0

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating his team's 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File0

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard in the last minute of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard in the last minute of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

A screening committee will reduce the list of nominees to 50 players next month. Then the full 50-person selection committee will cut the list down to 25 semifinalists and then 15 finalists for the annual meeting before the Super Bowl that will produce the new class. Players must get 80% of votes to get in with between three and five players getting in as modern era candidates.

There will also be three senior candidates, grouped with one coach and contributor with at least one and no more than three of those finalists getting in based on voting.

The other first-year candidates are 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 back under consideration who were finalists a year ago with tight end Antonio Gates, 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 back on the list.

Manning will look to follow his brother Peyton into the Hall following a standout career with the New York Giants. Manning was picked first overall in the 2004 draft and spent his entire career in New York. He led the Giants to an upset win over the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl following the 2007 season, throwing a game-winning TD pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute.

He led another late TD drive to upset Tom Brady and the Patriots four years later. Manning is one of 13 QBs to win multiple Super Bowls with eight of the nine who are eligible for the Hall getting inducted.

Only Jim Plunkett has not been inducted along with more recent players such as Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Patrick Mahomes, who aren't eligible.

Manning was a four-time Pro Bowler but never made All-Pro or led the league in a major statistical category in a season but finished his career with 57,023 yards passing and 366 TDs.

His best moments were in those two postseason runs. Manning joined Brady (five), Mahomes (three), Joe Montana (three), Bart Starr (two) and Terry Bradshaw (two) as the only multiple winners of Super Bowl MVP awards.

Kuechly and Suggs were among the top defensive players of their era with Kuechly selected as the top defensive player in 2013 and Suggs in 2011.

Kuechly's career was brief but impactful. The first-round pick by Carolina in 2012 was an All-Pro five times in his eight-year career with seven Pro Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Over his eight-year career, Kuechly led all linebackers in the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).

Suggs was one of the top pass rushers in the league over his 17-year career, with his 139 sacks ranking eighth best since they became an official stat in 1982.

Suggs had seven double-digit sack seasons in his 16 seasons with Baltimore, including 14 in 2011 when he was selected as the top defensive player in the league and led the NFL with seven forced fumbles.

He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl in the 2012 season. He finished his career in Kansas City where he helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl in the 2019 season.

Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, making the game-winning field goals in the first two Super Bowl titles during New England's dynasty.

He helped launch the run with one of the game's greatest kicks — a 45-yarder in the snow to force overtime in the “Tuck Rule” game against the Raiders in the 2001 divisional round. He made the game-winning kick in OT to win that game and then hit a 48-yarder on the final play of a 20-17 win in the Super Bowl against the Rams.

He then made a 41-yarder two years later to give the Patriots a 32-29 win in the Super Bowl against Carolina. Vinatieri also won Super Bowls in 2004 with New England and in the 2006 season with Indianapolis.

Vinatieri is the NFL's all-time leader in points (2,673) and made field goals (599) over a 24-year career with New England and Indianapolis. He also leads all players with 56 field goals and 238 points in the postseason.

Yanda was a member of the 2010s all-decade team as a key of Baltimore's success. He also was selected second-team All-Pro five times and made the Pro Bowl in eight of his final seasons, missing in 2017 when he played only two games of an injury.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

This combo of file photos shows, from left, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri, who are among the first-time nominees for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/File)

This combo of file photos shows, from left, two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and postseason kicking hero Adam Vinatieri, who are among the first-time nominees for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks a field goal from the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)

FILE - Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri (4) kicks a field goal from the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)

FILE - New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri (4), joined by teammate Ken Walter who held the ball, celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE - New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri (4), joined by teammate Ken Walter who held the ball, celebrates his 48-yard game-winning field goal in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs celebrates after intercepting a pass by Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins during a preseason NFL football game in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2015, file photo, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs celebrates after intercepting a pass by Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins during a preseason NFL football game in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

FILE - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) returns a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) returns a fumble recovery against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating his team's 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File0

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating his team's 21-17 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File0

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning looks to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard in the last minute of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

FILE - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard in the last minute of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A$AP Rocky turned down a final prosecution plea offer of 180 days in jail, risking the possibility of a guilty verdict and years in prison as jury selection began at his trial on Tuesday.

The agreement offered to the 36-year-old hip-hop star, fashion mogul and actor was to plead guilty to one of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Los Angeles County prosecutors would also recommend a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and the six-month jail term.

But Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, told a judge he respectfully declined.

He is accused of firing at a former friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021, and could get a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.

Rocky's attorney Joe Tacopina also revealed for the first time in court Tuesday that the defense plans to call witnesses to testify that a firearm seen on a security video is a starter pistol that Rocky carried as a prop for security.

A panel of more than 100 prospective jurors were summoned to the downtown Los Angeles courtroom and packed into the gallery. Opening statements will come once 12 of them and alternates are seated. That won't be until at least Wednesday, when selection is set to resume. Cameras will be allowed in the courtroom starting with openings.

The Grammy-nominated hip-hop star's longtime partner is Rihanna, and the couple have two toddler sons together. Tacopina suggested that it's unlikely the pop star will show up in court.

Rocky has been named one of the celebrity chairs of the Met Gala in May, and has a major role in a Spike Lee-directed film with Denzel Washington to be released soon after. But his life could be upended with a conviction.

Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold has said he hopes to seat a jury quickly, and is keeping strict limits on how long attorneys can question prospective jurors.

“Mr. Mayers is an entertainer," Arnold told the prospective jurors. "His stage name is A$AP rocky. His life partner is also an entertainer. Her name is Rihanna. Because Mr. Mayers is an entertainer, a celebrity, that cannot harm him, and it cannot benefit him."

Of the initial 12 jurors questioned, four said they knew who Rocky was, and 10 said they knew who Rihanna was.

In 2023, another judge ruled after a preliminary hearing that Rocky should stand trial on charges that he fired a gun at Terell Ephron, a childhood friend who testified that their relationship had soured and a feud came to a head on the night of Nov. 6, 2021. Ephron testified that bullets grazed his knuckles.

Initial questioning on Tuesday revealed that the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires have affected many of the potential jurors' lives, including one woman who is fostering many displaced animals, and at least one man who had to evacuate. The judge himself revealed he had to evacuate from his home for 11 days.

“Luckily the house didn’t burn down," Arnold said.

One man was excused early in the process because he said his anti-gun feelings were too strong for him to be fair.

Tacopina tried to explore the potential jurors' feelings about hip-hop artists and their music, and several said they had negative feelings, though not overwhelming ones. Some cited parenting as the reason.

“I used to love it but then I had a kid,” one panelist said.

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin, questioning for the prosecution, told those with negative feelings, “You will not be called upon to render a verdict on how you feel about rap music, do you understand that?" All said yes.

Tacopina, who like his client Rocky is from New York and has represented President Donald Trump, also asked whether anyone on the jury is rubbed the wrong way by New Yorkers, bringing laughs throughout the room.

“When I get up here with this ridiculous accent, which I try not to have but I do, is anyone going to have a problem?" he said. “I will point out that we gave you guys the Dodgers a few years ago.”

No one conceded any negative feelings.

“I love LA," the lawyer added.

FILE - A$AP Rocky, left, and Rihanna attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York on Sept. 13, 2021. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - A$AP Rocky, left, and Rihanna attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala in New York on Sept. 13, 2021. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky at Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky at Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky appears in a Los Angeles Superior courtroom on Aug. 17, 2022, where he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

FILE - Rapper A$AP Rocky appears in a Los Angeles Superior courtroom on Aug. 17, 2022, where he pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool, File)

Recommended Articles
Hot · Posts