While a class of four is the smallest since 2005, that number has not been uncommon. This is the 19th time in the Hall of Fame's history a class has been composed of three or four enshrinees since the first four-person class was chosen in 1970.

Eric Allen and Jared Allen learned of their election when another Hall of Famer knocked on the door of their homes. Gates and Sharpe experienced a "reverse knock" — showing up at a site where a Hall of Famer was waiting to deliver the news. Those four encounters can be seen Saturday, Feb. 8, when NFL Network debuts a 30-minute special "The Hall of Fame Knocks: Class of 2025" at 10 p.m. ET.