CANTON, OHIO – The list of 15 Modern-Era Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2017 include seven players who are finalists for the first time. The group includes three first-year eligible nominees – Brian Dawkins, Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson.
The 15 Modern-Era Finalists will be considered for election to the Hall of Fame when the Hall's Selection Committee meets in Houston on the day before Super Bowl LI to elect the new class. The Modern-Era Finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall's Selection Committee from a list of 94 nominees that earlier was reduced to 26 semifinalists, during the year-long selection process.
The 2017 Modern-Era Finalists with their positions, years and teams:
· Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers
· Kurt Warner, Quarterback – 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals
· Morten Andersen, Kicker – 1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings
· Tony Boselli, Tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars
· Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers
· Terrell Davis, Running Back – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos
· Brian Dawkins, Safety – 1996-2008 Philadelphia Eagles, 2009-2011 Denver Broncos
· Alan Faneca, Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals
· Joe Jacoby, Tackle – 1981-1993 Washington Redskins
· Ty Law, Cornerback – 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos
· John Lynch, Free Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
· Kevin Mawae, Center/Guard – 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans
· Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver – 1996-2003 San Francisco 49ers, 2004-05 Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-08 Dallas Cowboys, 2009 Buffalo Bills, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals
· Jason Taylor, Defensive End – 1997-2007, 2009, 2011 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Washington Redskins, 2010 New York Jets
· LaDainian Tomlinson, Running Back – 2001-09 San Diego Chargers, 2010-11 New York Jets
The 15 Modern-Era Finalists join three other finalists to comprise 18 finalists under consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2017.
One Senior Finalist was announced in August 2016 by the Seniors Committee that reviews the qualifications of those players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago.
• Kenny Easley, Safety – 1981-87 Seattle Seahawks
Two Contributor Finalists, also announced in August, were selected by the Hall of Fame's Contributor Committee that considers persons who made outstanding contributions to professional football other than players and coaches.
• Jerry Jones, Owner, President & General Manager – 1989-present Dallas Cowboys
• Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner – 1989-2006 National Football League
To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent during the annual selection meeting.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (Cleveland/St. Louis)
2017 Finalists: Isaac Bruce, Kurt Warner
HOFers (17): George Allen, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Tom Fears, Kevin Greene, Elroy Hirsch, Deacon Jones, Tom Mack, Ollie Matson, Merlin Olsen, Orlando Pace, Dan Reeves, Les Richter, Jackie Slater, Norm Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Jack YoungbloodISAAC BRUCE
Wide Receiver … Santa Monica College (JC), Memphis … 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers … 16 seasons, 223 games … Selected in 2nd round, 33rd overall, by Los Angeles Rams in 1994 draft … First career catch was 34-yard touchdown play … Breakout year in second season with career-high 119 catches for 1,781 yards and 13 TDS … First player in NFL history with three straight games with 170 or more receiving yards (181 vs. Colts, 191 vs. Falcons, 173 vs. 49ers), 1995 … Recorded first of three career 200-yard games in 1995 season finale … Led NFL in receiving yards (1,338), 1996 … Key offensive threat for "Greatest Show on Turf" … Started in two NFL championship games and two Super Bowls … Recorded six catches for 162 yards including 73-yard, game-winning touchdown reception in Rams' 23-16 Super Bowl XXXIV victory … Retired as Rams' all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, and most yards from scrimmage … Named All-Pro, 1999 … Voted to four Pro Bowls (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002) … Twelve seasons with 50 or more catches … Racked up 1,000-yard seasons eight times … Career numbers include 1,024 receptions for 15,208 yards (second most at time), and 91 touchdowns … Born November 10, 1972 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
KURT WARNER
Quarterback … 6-2, 220 … Northern Iowa … 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals … 12 seasons, 124 games … Not drafted in the NFL … Originally signed by and then released by Green Bay Packers in 1994 … Went on to play in Arena Football League with Iowa Barnstormers (1995-97) … Returned to NFL with Rams as free agent and allocated to NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals … Returned to Rams in 1998 … Went on to become a two-time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001) and named Super Bowl XXXIV MVP after leading Rams to victory 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans … Set Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards … He recorded another MVP season two years later when he guided Rams back to the Super Bowl ... His season totals included a league-leading and career-high 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns to post a 101.4 passer rating … Warner made a third trek to the Super Bowl in 2008 season when he led Arizona Cardinals to franchise's first division title since 1975 and first-ever Super Bowl appearance … Only quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three Super Bowls … A four-time Pro Bowl choice, led NFL in average gain per attempt, three times … Had highest passer rating and led NFL in TD passes twice … Born June 22, 1971 in Burlington, Iowa.
