Faneca, Ward, Law again are Hall of Fame semifinalists
Former Steelers Alan Faneca and Hines Ward, and Aliquippa native Ty Law again are among the modern-era semifinalists announced Tuesday night for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
There are 27 semifinalists this year because of ties for the 25th spot in the voting.
Faneca, now in his third year of eligibility, was a member of the final 15 the past two years. Ward is in his second year of eligibility and was a semifinalist last year. Law has been a semifinalist four years; he also was a finalist a year ago.
Among those eligible for the first time who are semifinalists are linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, and wide receiver Randy Moss.
The semifinalists will be reduced to 15 by a mail vote. The HOF class then will be chosen the day before the Super Bowl in Minneapolis.
The semifinalists
Defensive backs Ty Law, Steve Atwater, Ronde Barber, LeRoy Butler, Brian Dawkins, John Lynch and Everson Walls.
Linebackers Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Karl Mecklenburg.
Tackles Joe Jacoby and Tony Boselli. Guards Alan Faneca and Steve Hutchinson. Center Kevin Mawae.
Wide receivers Hines Ward, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.
Defensive ends Simeon Rice, Richard Seymour and Leslie O’Neal.
Running backs Edgerrin James and Roger Craig.
Coaches Jimmy Johnson and Don Coryell.
— By Ed Bouchette