Defensive end Jared Allen, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, cornerback Eric Allen, and tight end Antonio Gates will be enshrined to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week. The Hall of Fame honors were a long time coming for both Sharpe and Eric Allen, while Gates and Jared Allen didn't have to wait as long.

Gates too perhaps the most unique path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame of all time, without having played a down of college football.