It’s rare that I’m left stunned by a Hall of Fame class announcement, and yet, here I am. I know Eli Manning — who was eligible for the first time this year — was a polarizing candidate, but still, driving into New Orleans this week for Super Bowl LIX and seeing Eli on giant billboards around town, it felt inevitable.

I thought Eli — a New Orleans native — was going to make it this year, and I also believed former Patriots and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri was a lock, especially when you consider one of his biggest — maybe the biggest? — kicks came in New Orleans to defeat the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.

That’s enough about who didn’t make it, though — it’s time to celebrate those who did get in!

Antonio Gates, Eric Allen (there’s the New Orleans connection) and former Bears legend — OK, more like Chiefs and Vikings legend — Jared Allen were all amazing and well deserving. I actually thought Gates was going to get in on the first ballot last year. He made eight straight Pro Bowls and was a three-time first-team All-Pro. You might not know this, but he also played college basketball. Shocking, I know.

All that said, the person I’m happiest for is Sterling Sharpe. He was absolutely legendary during his seven NFL seasons in a career that was cut short by an injury. I’m not afraid to say Sharpe might have been regarded as the premier receiver of the 1990s if he had been able to continue his career.