Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
CANTON, July 29, 2025 ~ The National Football League returns this Thursday with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Hall of Fame Game marks the unofficial start of the football season, though it does not count toward regular-season or preseason records. Instead, the spotlight is on the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who are set to join the sport’s most exclusive club in Canton.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes tight end Antonio Gates, who recorded 116 receiving touchdowns, the most ever by a tight end while spending his entire 16-year career with the Chargers; edge rusher Jared Allen, who totaled 136 career sacks, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs; wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, who led the NFL in receptions three times in just seven seasons, all with the Green Bay Packers; and cornerback Eric Allen, who notched 54 career interceptions, playing most notably for the Philadelphia Eagles, along with the New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
BIG NEWS
The Detroit @Lions and Los Angeles @Chargers are set to battle in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game presented by @NovartisUS!Thursday, July 31, 2025
⏰ 8 p.m. ET
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium – Canton, OH
️ Tickets on sale Monday, April 28 at 10… pic.twitter.com/tqpDPtfaQW— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) April 23, 2025
(CONTINUED) One of the biggest questions for Lions fans this week is whether they will get to see their top rookies play.
Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell confirmed that first-round pick, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, and second-round pick, interior offensive lineman Tate Ratledge, will not play in Thursday’s game.
“We talked about it as a staff, and it’s like, why don’t we just wait and play them in Atlanta (the Lions’ first preseason game),” said Campbell. “So I think we’ll just hold tight and make sure they get plenty of reps out here.”
Campbell also stated what he wants to see from backup QBs Kyle Allen and Hendon Hooker during the game.
“Make the right decisions,” said Campbell. “Don’t try to do anything flashy, don’t try to make plays, you just do what you’re asked to do and wherever the defense dictates that the ball should go, that’s where it should go, and then let those guys make a play.“
The regular season won’t begin until mid-September, but the Hall of Fame Game will take place this Thursday, July 31, at 8 p.m. The first official preseason game will be on August 8 against the Falcons in Atlanta.
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