Hall of Fame finalists include former Steelers, Pitt players

January 7, 2012 2:36 pm

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By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A distinct Pittsburgh flavor permeates the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 that will be elected next month.

Four former Steelers, two former Pitt standouts and a former owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins are among the 17 finalists, including 15 modern-day candidates who were announced this afternoon.

Former Steelers halfback Jerome Bettis and his teammate center Dermontti Dawson also were finalists last season. They join former Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene, and former Steelers defensive back Jack Butler (previously announced as one of the two seniors candidates) among the final 17. Greene, eligible for the pastt eight years, makes his first appearance as a finalist.

In addition, former Pitt greats Curtis Martin, a running back and Pittsburgh native, and Chris Doleman, a defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings, and former Penguins owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., recognized for his ownership of the San Francisco 49ers, are among the finalists.

The complete list of 17 finalists:

-- Jerome Bettis -- Running Back -- 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers

-- Tim Brown -- Wide Receiver/Kick Returner -- 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

-- Jack Butler* -- Cornerback -- 1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers

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

-- Dermontti Dawson -- Center -- 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers

-- Edward DeBartolo, Jr. -- Owner -- 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers

-- Chris Doleman -- Defensive End/Linebacker -- 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers

-- Kevin Greene -- Linebacker/Defensive End -- 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers

-- Charles Haley -- Defensive End/Linebacker -- 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys

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

-- Curtis Martin -- Running Back -- 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets

-- Bill Parcells -- Coach -- 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys

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

-- Willie Roaf -- Tackle -- 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs

-- Will Shields -- Guard -- 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs

-- Dick Stanfel* -- Guard -- 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins

-- Aeneas Williams -- Cornerback/Safety -- 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams


First Published January 7, 2012 2:36 pm

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