Former Steelers Dermontti Dawson and Jerome Bettis were named Class of 2011 Hall of Fame finalists on Sunday morning. In total, 17 finalist were announced including 2 senior nominees. To be eligible for election, modern-era players and coaches must be retired at least five years.
Here are the 17 finalists (*-denotes senior nominee):
» Jerome Bettis, RB (1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers)
» Tim Brown, WR/KR (1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
» Cris Carter, WR (1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins)
» Dermontti Dawson, C (1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers)
» Richard Dent, DE (1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles)
» Chris Doleman, DE/LB (1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers)
» Marshall Faulk, RB (1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams)
» Charles Haley, DE/LB (1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys)
» *Chris Hanburger, LB (1965-78 Washington Redskins)
» Cortez Kennedy, DT (1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks)
» Curtis Martin, RB (1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets)
» Andre Reed, WR (1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins)
» *Les Richter, LB (1954-62 Los Angeles Rams)
» Willie Roaf, OT (1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs)
» Ed Sabol, Contributor (1964-1995 NFL Films)
» Deion Sanders, CB/KR/PR (1989-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens)
» Shannon Sharpe, TE (1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens)
