Matthews, Schottenheimer, Modell HOF senior semifinalists

Clay Matthews is getting another chance for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ditto Marty Schottenheimer and Art Modell.

The Hall of Fame on July 12 announced a list of 31 senior semifinalists among former players plus an additional 29 coaches/contributors for consideration for the class of 2024 as selected by the Hall of Fame senior committee.

The senior committee will trim the lists to 12 seniors and 12 coaches/contributors on July 27. The panel of Hall of Fame electors will vote for the 2024 class of seniors, coaches/contributors and HOF semifinalists from eligible players not in the seniors group the Saturday before the Super Bow in February.

Matthews was a Browns legend at linebacker. He played in Cleveland from 1978 to 93 and played three more seasons with the Falcons.

A player is relegated to the seniors group when he has been retired for 25 years. Matthews was a semifinalist in 2021 but did not get elected. Guard Allen Faneca, quarterback Peyton Manning, cornerback Charles Woodson, wide receiver Calvin Johnson and safety John Lynch were inducted that year.

Browns fans believe Matthews was snubbed by not getting elected to the Hall of Fame. Fans of other seniors on the list of 2024 semifinalists no doubt feel the same way about other players slighted. The list includes Ken Anderson, Carl Banks, Lester Hayes, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Roger Craig, Randy Gradishar, Joe Jacoby, Mark Clayton, Charlie Conerly, Maxie Baughn and Henry Ellard, Sterling Sharpe, Otis Taylor, Everson Walls and Steve Tasker, among others.

The Hall of Fame voters normally elect only one senior for enshrinement, but they can elect as many as three.

Mathews made the Pro Bowl in 1985, ‘87, ‘88 and 1989 with the Browns.

Only one contributor/coach is elected every year, which means it will be difficult for Schottenheimer — the Browns head coach from mid-1984 to 1988, to get elected. Schottenheimer also coached the Chiefs, Redskins and San Diego Chargers in his career.

Modell bought the Browns in 1961. He was the owner when they won the NFL championship in 1964. He moved the team to Baltimore in 1996.

Tom Coughlin, Alex Gibbs, Mike Holmgren, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Rich McKay, John McVay, Carl Peterso, Dan Reeves, Art Rooney Jr., Jerry Seeman, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan and John Wooten are among the coaches/contributor semifinalists announced July 12.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Clay Matthews during his speech after being inducted into the Browns’ Ring of Honor in 2019.