This class had a lot of firsts. Jared Allen became the first player from Idaho State to make the Hall of Fame. Sterling and Shannon Sharpe became the first brothers to make it to Canton. But Gates may have the best first of anyone in Canton.

Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates joined Sterling Sharpe as the Class of 2025 was inducted into football immortality during a ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night to kick off the NFL preseason.

On Saturday, one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as former San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers great Antonio Gates was welcomed into the fold on the hallowed grounds of Canton,