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Former Chicago Bears defender makes surprise 2025 Hall of Fame inductee list

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Feb 7, 2025 10:01 AM ET

The Chicago Bears have had two former players make the Hall of Fame two years in a row. Legendary special teams returner Devin Hester was inducted into the HOF in 2024.

On Thursday, there was much buzz about Eli Manning potentially heading to Canton to join his brother, Peyton Manning, marking the first time two brothers would make the achievement.

However, there was a surprise on Thursday night when the league announced former Green Bay Packers tight end Sterling Sharpe would join his brother Shannon Sharpe in Canton.

Former Chicago Bears outside linebacker made the HOF

Sharpe wasn’t the only player from the NFC North making the 2024 list. Former Bears pass rusher Jared Allen was named one of the four players to make the Hall of Fame in 2025. Eric Allen and Antonio Gates also made the class of 2025, one of the smallest classes in decades.

NEWS

We are proud to announce the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, presented by @visualedgeit. -Eric Allen – Jared Allen – Antonio Gates – Sterling Sharpe.

Full story ➡️ https://t.co/QeYc3onpKF pic.twitter.com/TxiAF8HOmX

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 7, 2025

Jared Allen played in 18 games for the Bears

The Kansas City Cheifs selected Allen in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. The former Idaho State standout played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2008-2013 before signing a four-year deal with the Bears in 2014. Chicago traded Allen to the Carolina Panthers in September of 2015.

Related: Ben Johnson wins award on Thursday night

Allen appeared in 187 games and started in 181. The Dallas, Texas native recorded 643 tackles, 136 sacks, 32 forced fumbles, 58 passes defensed, four safeties, and six interceptions in his 12-year NFL career.

Allen made first-team All-Pro honors five times and made five Pro Bowl appearances. He led the league in sacks during the 2007 and 2011 seasons.

Allen appeared and started in 18 games for the Bears. He recorded 62 tackles, 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and one interception as an outside linebacker in Chicago.

The Chiefs, Vikings, and Panthers all congratulated Allen on his accomplishment via an X post. The Bears have not.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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