NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2013 Finalists

SI Staff | Jan 11, 2013

NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2013 Finalists /

NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2013 Finalists

Larry Allen

An 11-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman, Larry Allen was an anchor on the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent 12 of his 14 NFL seasons. The powerful guard -- Allen bench-pressed 705 pounds and squatted 905 pounds -- helped pave the way for Emmitt Smith's prodigious running.

Jerome Bettis

Jerome Bettis, nicknamed The Bus for his ability to carry multiple defenders on his back, is one of football's greatest power runners. At 5-11, 252 pounds, Bettis racked up 13,662 career rushing yards, sixth-most all-time, with his smash-mouth running style. Bettis closed out his 13-year NFL career with his first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XL.

Tim Brown

Tim Brown ranks fifth all-time in career receiving yards with 14,934 accrued over his 17-year NFL career, 16 of which were spent with the Raiders. Brown led the league in receptions in 1997 and topped 1,000 yards receiving in a season nine times. The wide receiver is already a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, after getting inducted in 2009.

Cris Carter

After alcohol and drug abuse problem led to Cris Carter leaving Philadelphia, the wide receiver rebounded to build an impressive career with the Minnesota Vikings. A frequent red zone target throughout his career, Carter led the league in touchdown receptions three times and has the fourth-most career scoring catches. The former Buckeye managed to succeed at the professional level no matter who was throwing to him, posting 1,000-yard seasons with Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham and Daunte Culpepper at quarterback.

Curley Culp

A nose tackle in the development of the 3-4 defense, Curley Culp clogged up the middle of the line, requiring double- and triple-teams to block him. Culp recorded his greatest season in 1975, picking up 11.5 sacks.

Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.

Known affectionately by his players as Mr. D, Eddie DeBartolo Jr. was one of the most beloved and successful owners. SI declared him "the most generous owner in sports" in 1990. Over DeBartolo's 23 years of ownership of the 49ers, San Francisco won five Super Bowls.

Kevin Greene

Kevin Greene made five Pro Bowls in his 15-season NFL career. Third all-time in sacks with 160, Greene led the league in sacks twice and has the most in a career by a linebacker. He had 10 seasons with double-digit sacks.

Charles Haley

Charles Haley won five Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, the most by any player. Injuries limited Haley to just 12 seasons, but the linebacker and defensive end accumulated 100.5 sacks and five Pro Bowl selections.

Art Modell

An NFL owner for 43 years, the late Art Modell was an active executive and oversaw two title-winning teams. Although lacking fans from the city of Cleveland due to his decision to move the original Browns to Baltimore in 1996, Modell was at the helm for the Browns 1964 NFL Championship. He also won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2000, one year after bringing in Brian Billick to coach the team.

Jonathan Ogden

The No. 4 overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft, Jonathan Ogden developed into top left tackle during his 12-year career, spent entirely in Baltimore. Ogden, a starter from his rookie year until retirement, made the Pro Bowl every year of his career except his rookie season. His protection of quarterbacks Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer helped lead the Ravens to a championship in Super Bowl XXXV.

Bill Parcells

A two-time Super Bowl winner, Bill Parcells could not stay away from the game, returning to football after retiring three times. Now seemingly done for good, Parcells' NFL coaching tenure with the Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys concludes with 172 wins and victories in Super Bowl XXI and XXV.

Andre Reed

Andre Reed's career provides a strong definition of longevity and consistency. The wide receiver played in 234 games in his 16-year career, missing more than four games in a season just once. Reed is 10th all-time in receptions (951) and 12th in receiving yards (13,198) and receiving touchdowns (87). He also rushed for 500 yards. Reed made seven Pro Bowls, all with the Buffalo Bills, with whom he spent all but one year of his career.

Dave Robinson

Part of an elite linebacker corps, Dave Robinson made his career alongside Ray Nitschke and Lee Roy Caffey. A ballhawking linebacker, Robinson intercepted 27 passes and recovered 12 fumbles in his 12-year career. He also had a knack for shining in clutch moments, such as in 1966 NFL Championship Game, one of three NFL titles of Robinson's career, when he pressured Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith into an interception in the end zone to preserve the Packers' 34-27 win.

Warren Sapp

In 13 NFL seasons, Warren Sapp managed to intimidate just about every quarterback against whom he played. The big defensive tackle finished his career with 573 tackles, 96.5 sacks and 19 forced fumbles. Sapp made seven Pro Bowls, won the 1999 Defensive Player of the Year Award and helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory.

Will Shields

Will Shields entered the Kansas City Chiefs' starting lineup on Sept. 12, 1993, and didn't leave it until retirement, starting 231 consecutive games in his 14-year career. The guard made 12 straight Pro Bowls, beginning with his third season, and blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher five times.

Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season with 22.5 in 2001. The New York Giants defensive end led the NFL in sacks twice and his 141.5 career sacks are fifth-most all-time. The gregarious Strahan made the Pro Bowl seven times, earned the 2001 Defensive Player of the Year and won his first Super Bowl in his final season, in 2007.

Aeneas Williams

Aeneas Williams broke onto the scene in his first year and never looked back. The defensive back grabbed six interceptions in his rookie season in 1991, the beginnings of a 55-interception career. Williams made eight Pro Bowls, six of them with the Arizona Cardinals, and his nine interception returns for touchdowns are fourth-most all-time. He also leads all players in career fumble return yards with 268.

Published Jan 11, 2013

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