26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 were announced on Tuesday and the list includes four former Steelers players. Making the cut were running back Jerome Bettis, center Dermontti Dawson, linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene and safety Donnie Shell. Jack Butler also remains a senior candidate finalist. Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher did not make the cut to 26.
The semifinalist list is normally limited to 25 players, but this year there are 26 resulting from a tie for the final position according to the press release. The list was narrowed down from the 105 preliminary nominees that were announced back in late September.
The next step in the process is to narrow down the list of 26 semifinalists to 15 finalists and that will be done via mail ballot. The results of that reduction vote will be announced in early January, 2012.
Below is the complete list of 26 modern-era semifinalists:
S Steve Atwater
RB Jerome Bettis
WR/KR Tim Brown
WR Cris Carter
HC Don Coryell
RB Roger Craig
RB Terrell Davis
C Dermontti Dawson
Owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.
DE/LB Chris Doleman
LB/DE Kevin Greene
DE/LB Charles Haley
DT Cortez Kennedy
RB Curtis Martin
LB Clay Matthews
LB Karl Mecklenburg
HC Bill Parcells
WR Andre Reed
T Willie Roaf
S Donnie Shell
G Will Shields
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
ST/WR Steve Tasker
CB/S Aeneas Williams
Contributor Ron Wolf
Contributor George Young
