The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the nominees for induction into its Class of 2010 on Saturday.Wide receiver Jerry Rice and running back Emmitt Smith headline a group of 131 players, coaches and contributors that make up the list of modern-era nominees for election. Former Lions cornerback and current Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and former Broncos running back Floyd Little are the two senior nominees that were picked in August by the Hall of Fame's Senior Selection Committee.
The semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 27, and the modern-era finalists will be chosen on Jan. 7. The entire 2010 class will be revealed the day before the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 in Miami.
Several key, recognizable contributors to the game were also nominated -- including former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and owners Bud Adams (Oilers and Titans) and Art Modell (Browns and Ravens). First-year-eligible nominees outside of Rice and Smith include kicker Gary Anderson, wide receiver Tim Brown and running back Eddie George.
Running back Herschel Walker, wide receivers Cris Carter, Sterling Sharp and Andre Reed also were nominated. The complete list of 131 can be found on the NFL Hall of Fame's website.
Smith, the league's all-time leading rusher, and Rice, its all-time leading receiver, are heavy favorites to be voted in. LeBeau is also a popular pick to earn a spot.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-19-2009 @ 8:24PM
Coach said...
I think that there are so many people who deserve to be in the hall that they need to expand the amount of players voted in to 12 instead of six. Then for the next 20 years they can catch up. Anyone who looks at the list could easly find 20 or more names that should be in. Why have a limit if more than six should be voted in each year?
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9-21-2009 @ 5:43PM
rz19 said...
Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young and Bill Walsh. Is that all Hall of Fame voters can do for a storied dynasty? The 60s Packers have more than a dozen representatives. What's with that? Sure, Jerry Rice will be a shoe-in. But let's not forget Roger Craig, Randy Cross, Charles Haley, Ricky Watters and Eddie D, along with a plethora of other great players.
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9-28-2009 @ 2:07PM
Pixistix said...
Okay Hall of Fame Voters, do the right thing this year and vote in Mr. Art Modell. Anyone who knows anything about the BEST AMERICAN SPORT, knows what Mr. Modell has done for football. Just because he couldn't boss Mr. Modell around, Paul Tagliabutt has had a case for Mr. Modell for years. Hopefully now the "men" of the voting body of the Hall of Fame will vote Mr. Modell into the Class of 2010.
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10-02-2009 @ 4:49PM
Lauren said...
I believe Emmitt and Jerry should definitely be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Emmitt Smith is considered one of the best running backs of all time, and Jerry Rice one of the best wide receivers of all time. I even heard that Jerry Rice was playing on the PGA TOUR. Has anyone heard anything more on this?
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