The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced this afternoon that former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, center Dermontti Dawson and running back Jerome Bettis are among the 103 modern-day nominees for the 2012 Hall of Fame class. This is the first year that Cowher is eligible after leaving coaching following the 2006 season.
The selection committee will next choose 25 candidates from the list who will advance as semifinalist nominees. Those nominees will be announced sometime in mid-November and those 25 will be reduced to 15 in early January after the mail ballots are tabulated. Those 15 will then be considered for election.
Former Steelers defensive back Jack Butler is one of two senior nominees selected last month by the selection committee as well and will be considered for election.
