TAMPA, Fla. — Seventeen finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame will find out today if they are going to be part of the Class of 2009 that will be inducted in Canton, Ohio in August.
The 44-member selection committee meets at 6:30 a.m. A news conference to announce the new inductees is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the NFL Network.
Dallas receiver Bob Hayes and Atlanta-Philadelphia defensive end Claude Humphrey were nominated by the seniors committee and became automatic finalists. This is the second time in four years Hayes has been a finalist.
Almost guaranteed of being elected on the first ballot are Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith, one of the greatest pass rushers in history, and Pittsburgh-Baltimore defensive back Rod Woodson, one of the greatest cornerbacks in history. He played free safety later in his career with the Ravens.
Others who have a good chance to make it are Denver-Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe and Philadelphia-Minnesota receiver Cris Carter. Sharpe earned three Super Bowl rings with the Broncos and Ravens and owned the important records for tight ends. Carter was one of the most prolific receivers in history.
Other offensive finalists are Minnesota guard Randall McDaniel, Buffalo receiver Andre Reed, Pittsburgh center Dermontti Dawson, Washington guard Russ Grimm and Miami guard Bob Kuechenberg.
Other defensive finalists are Chicago defensive end Richard Dent, Seattle defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, Minnesota defensive tackle John Randle and Kansas City outside linebacker Derrick Thomas.
Two contributors, Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson and former commissioner Paul Tagliabue, also are finalists.
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