Antonio Gates Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025

Among the players announced in their first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is former Chargers running back Darren Sproles, who played the first six years of his 15-year NFL career in light blue.

The running back played three seasons with the Saints and six with the Eagles. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl during his career.

Sproles, who is also listed as a punt/kick returner, was a dynamic player in the backfield, amassing 8,392 yards from scrimmage and 55 rushing and receiving touchdowns in his career.

He was equally explosive on the return game, returning nine touchdowns (seven on punts, two on kickoffs) and earning a spot on the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team as a punt returner.

Sproles ranks sixth all-time in all-purpose yards with 19,696, tying him for the most seasons with 2,000 or more all-purpose yards in NFL history (four).

Safety Rodney Harrison, who was a finalist for the 2024 class, was also on the list of nominees.

Harrison was drafted by the Chargers in 1994 and played for the team for nine seasons, making two Pro Bowl appearances during his playing career.

Later in his career, he won two Super Bowls and was named First-Team All-Pro twice, helping to set the modern standard for safeties in the league.

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie will also get another chance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as this is his third year of eligibility.

He made four Pro Bowl appearances, and his best season came in 2007 with the Chargers, where he threw 10 interceptions and recovered two fumbles, a career-high, en route to an All-Pro selection.

Cromartie also scored six touchdowns in his NFL career and is tied for the longest scoring run in NFL history with a touchdown return of 109 yards after a missed field goal in 2007.

Fullback Lorenzo Neal also returns to the list of nominees.

Neal was a driving force behind the Bolts’ success running the ball, along with Hall of Fame running back LaDanian Tomlinson. He earned a spot on the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2000s and is considered one of the best modern fullbacks in recent memory.

Two Chargers Hall of Famers, defensive tackle Jamal Williams (2022) and punter Darren Bennett (2012), also return among the nominees.

A total of 11 former Chargers are on the list of nominees, including punter Darren Bennett, linebacker Takeo Spikes, quarterback Doug Flutie, linebacker Donnie Edwards and running back (also WR/PR/KR) Eric Metcalf.