Tomlinson, Ward, Dawkins highlight 2017 Hall of Fame nominees
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 94 modern-era nominees for the Class of 2017.
LaDainian Tomlinson, Hines Ward and Brian Dawkins headline the first-time nominees.
Jason Taylor, Donovan McNabb, Chad Johnson, Olin Kreutz, Joey Porter, Derrick Mason and Bob Sanders are also players that are on the ballot for the first time.
The list has 45 offensive players, 32 defensive players, six special teams players and 11 coaches. The nominees will be trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists will be selected in January.
The new Hall of Fame class will be selected in Houston on Feb. 4, 2017, the day before Super Bowl LI. There will be between four and eight new members of the new Hall.
List of Modern-era nominees
Quarterbacks (7) Drew Bledsoe, Randall Cunningham, Doug Flutie, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, Phil Simms, Kurt Warner
Running backs (13) Shaun Alexander, Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, Larry Centers, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis, Eddie George, *Edgerrin James, Daryl Johnston, Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), LaDainian Tomlinson, Herschel Walker (also KR), Ricky Watters
Wide receivers (10) Isaac Bruce, Henry Ellard (also PR), Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Derrick Mason (also KR/PR), *Terrell Owens, Sterling Sharpe, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Hines Ward
Tight End (1) Mark Bavaro
Offensive linemen (14) Tony Boselli (T), Ray Donaldson (C), Alan Faneca (G), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T), Mike Kenn (T), Olin Kreutz (C), Jim Lachey (T), Kevin Mawae (C/G), Tom Nalen (C), Nate Newton (G), Steve Wisniewski (G)
Defensive linemen (5) Leslie O’Neal (DE), Simeon Rice (DE), Fred Smerlas (NT), Jason Taylor (DE), Bryant Young (DT)
Linebackers (11) Carl Banks, Cornelius Bennett, Tedy Bruschi, Seth Joyner, Levon Kirkland, Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE), Karl Mecklenburg, Sam Mills, Joey Porter, Zach Thomas
Defensive backs (16) Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Brian Dawkins (SS), Rodney Harrison (S), Ty Law (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), John Lynch (S), Frank Minnifield (CB), Bob Sanders (SS), Darren Sharper (FS), Dennis Smith (SS), Troy Vincent (S), Everson Walls (CB), Darren Woodson (S)
Kickers/punters (4) Morten Andersen (K), Gary Anderson (K), Sean Landeta (P), Nick Lowery (K)
Special teams (2) Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Steve Tasker (ST also WR)
Coaches (11) Don Coryell, Bill Cowher, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Richie Petitbon, Dan Reeves, Clark Shaughnessy, Dick Vermeil
- Scooby Axson
