Rod Woodson, a member of both the NFL and the Steelers 75th anniversary teams, was selected among the 15 modern finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame today, and for the first time so too was center Dermontti Dawson.

Also returning to the list of finalists is Russ Grimm, former Steelers coach who played at Southmoreland High School, Pitt and the Washington Redskins.

Woodson is in his first year of eligibility. This is Dawson's fourth year and the first time he's made the lists of finalists.

The 2009 Hall of Fame class will be elected Jan. 31 in a vote by 44 board of selectors at their meeting in Tampa, Fla. The 15 modern finalists are joined by two seniors candidates.

Among the 25 semifinalists who did not make the cut to 15 was former Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene.

Listed alphabetically, the 17 finalists (including two seniors) with their positions, teams, and years active follow:

• Cris Carter, Wide Receiver, 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins

• Dermontti Dawson, Center, 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers

• Richard Dent, Defensive End, 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles

• Russ Grimm, Guard, 1981-1991 Washington Redskins

• Bob Hayes, Wide Receiver, 1965-1974 Dallas Cowboys, 1975 San Francisco 49ers

• Claude Humphrey, Defensive End, 1968-1978 Atlanta Falcons, 1979-1981 Philadelphia Eagles

• Cortez Kennedy, Defensive Tackle, 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks

• Bob Kuechenberg, Guard, 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins

• Randall McDaniel, Guard, 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• John Randle, Defensive Tackle, 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks

• Andre Reed, Wide Receiver, 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

• Shannon Sharpe, Tight End, 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens

• Bruce Smith, Defensive End, 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins

• Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner, 1989-2006 National Football League

• Derrick Thomas, Linebacker, 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

• Ralph Wilson, Team Founder/Owner, 1960-Present Buffalo Bills

• Rod Woodson, Cornerback/Safety, 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders