Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis and linebacker Kevin Greene were both named finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2013 on Friday.
This is the third straight year that Bettis is among the 15 finalists and the second year in a row that Greene has been a finalist for an election that will take place in New Orleans Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl.
Bettis played 10 seasons in Pittsburgh from 1996-2005 before retiring from football after the 2005 season. When he retired he was the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history and now ranks sixth with 13,662 career rushing yards.
Greene, who played three seasons with the Steelers from 1993-95, ranks third all-time in career sacks with 160. He is currently the linebackers coach with the Green Bay Packers.
The Hall’s Selection Committee determined the 15 modern-era finalists from a list of 127 nominees that earlier was reduced to a list of 27 semifinalists, during the multi-step, year-long selection process. To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent.
The Selection Committee will next meet in New Orleans, La. on Saturday, February 2, 2013, to elect the Class of 2013 and the results will be announced at 5:30 p.m. ET (4:30 local time) during a one-hour NFL Network special, live from the Super Bowl Media Center.
