The Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2024 will officially be inducted on Aug. 3.
With less than a month until the annual event in Canton, Ohio, we're examining which NFL players and coaches (past and present) we think will one day receive a similar honor.
Here are three New York Giants who should eventually receive football immortality:
Running back Tiki Barber
On the ballot since 2012, Barber didn’t make it to the list of semifinalists until 2024, a year after his brother, Tampa cornerback Ronde Barber, was elected to the Hall.
Tiki Barber retired in 2007 holding franchise marks for rushing attempts (2,217), rushing yards (10,449), and yards from scrimmage (15,632). His 586 receptions are second-most in Giants’ history behind Amani Toomer’s 668, and his 67 total touchdowns trail only Hall of Famer Frank Gifford (78).
Since retiring from the NFL in 2007, Tiki Barber has become something of a takedown artist as part of the media, something Hall of Fame voters may frown upon. Most recently, he attacked new Commanders running back Austin Ekeler for acknowledging his limitations with the Chargers.
Hot takes aside, Tiki Barber was one of the best dual-threat running backs in NFL history. He’s probably a long shot to make the Hall but should get a bump once teammate Eli Manning becomes eligible in 2025.
Quarterback Eli Manning
Manning’s upcoming Hall of Fame candidacy could be one of the most divisive in recent memory.
On one hand, his 57,023 yards, 366 touchdowns and 4,895 completions all rank 10th-most in NFL history. On the other hand, he also threw 244 interceptions, 12th-most of any quarterback.
Critics will point to Manning’s 117-117 record in the regular season. while others can’t forget his 27 fourth-quarter comebacks, 16th-most in NFL history.
Of course, no one can argue with his postseason record. Thanks to a pair of victories over the New England Patriots, Manning is one of 13 quarterbacks in NFL history to win two Super Bowls and one of only six players to win two Super Bowl MVPs.
That and the Manning name should be enough to get him into the Hall. He won’t make it on the first ballot like his brother Peyton, but his invitation will come sooner rather than later.
Head coach Tom Coughlin
Before taking over the New York Giants in 2004, Coughlin went 68-60 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, helping them become the most successful expansion team in NFL history with two appearances in the AFC Championship game.
With New York, Coughlin went 102-90 in the regular season and 8-3 in the postseason. His 102 wins remain second-most in franchise history, while his eight postseason victories tie him with Bill Parcells for the most by a Giants coach.
Of course, Coughlin’s greatest achievements were the Giants' upset victories against Bill Belichick’s Patriots in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. With six wins and nine Super Bowl appearances, Belichick may be a lock to make the Hall of Fame, but something should be said about the man who beat him twice.
