A capsule look at the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame election to be held Saturday:
Jerome Bettis
Running Back
5-11, 243
1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers. … 13 seasons, 192 games
Selected by Rams in first round (10th player overall) of 1993 draft. … Earned Rookie of Year honours. … Finished rookie season with seventh best rookie rushing total in league history… As rookie finished second in rushing yards and third in total yards from scrimmage. … First Rams rookie to rush for 1,000 yards since Eric Dickerson, 1983. … Rams leading rusher 1993-95. … Steelers leading rusher 1996-2001, 2003-04. … Steelers leader in total yards from scrimmage, 1996-2001. … His fifty 100-plus yard games ranks first in Steelers history. … At time of retirement, his eight 1,000-plus yard seasons was tied for third-best in NFL history. … His 13,662 ranks fifth all-time in career rushing yards. … Ranked 19th all-time in combined net yards at time of retirement. … Voted to Pro Bowl six times: 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005.
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Tim Brown
Wide Receiver-Kick Returner
6-0, 195
1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. … 17 seasons, 255 games
Selected by Raiders in first round (6th player overall) of 1988 draft. … As rookie led NFL in kickoff returns, return yards, and yards per return average. … Led NFL in receptions, 1997. … Set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards. … At time of retirement his 14,934 receiving yards were second-highest total in NFL history; 1,094 receptions were third; and 100 touchdown catches were tied for third. … Also gained 190 rushing yards; 3,320 punt return yards, 3 fumble return yards; 1,235 kickoff return yards. … Total of 19,682 combined net yards, fifth all-time at time of retirement. … Scored 105 total touchdowns (100 receiving, 1 rushing, 3 punt returns, 1 kickoff return). … Voted to Pro Bowl nine times, 1989 and 1992 as kick returner, 1994-98, 2000 and 2002 as a receiver. … All-Pro choice as a kick returner, 1988. … All-Pro wide receiver, 1997.
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Cris Carter
Wide Receiver
6-3, 202
1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins. … 16 seasons, 234 games.
Selected by Philadelphia in the fourth round of the 1987 Supplemental Draft. … Played a full 16-game season in 13 of his 16 seasons. … In 2000, became only the second player in NFL history to catch 1,000 career passes. … Recorded 1,000 receiving yards in a season eight straight years. … Broke the 100-yard receiving plateau 42 times during his career. … Ranks second on the NFL's all-time list for total receptions (1,101) and receiving touchdowns (130). … His 130 TD receptions came from 13 different passers. … Caught 70-plus passes in 10 seasons. … His 122 receptions in 1994 was a then-NFL single-season-record. … Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s and received the 1999 NFL Man of the Year Award. … Was first- or second-team All-Pro 1994, 1995, and 1999. … Selected to play in eight Pro Bowls (1994-2001).
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Dermontti Dawson
Centre
6-2, 288
1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers. … 13 seasons, 184 games.
Selected by Pittsburgh in second round (44th overall) of 1988 draft. … Started five of eight games played as a rookie at right guard. … Missed eight weeks at midseason with knee injury. … Became starting centre in 1989 replacing future Hall of Famer Mike Webster. … Doubled as team's long snapper, 1988-1993. … Named Co-AFC Offensive Lineman of the Year (with Richmond Webb) by NFL Players Association, 1993. … Played in 170 consecutive games before streak ended in 1999 due to hamstring injury. … His exceptional speed and strength enabled him to do things not typical of a centre. … Named first-team All-Pro six consecutive years (1993-1998). … Selected to play in seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1993-99). … Anchor on offensive line that led Steelers to five AFC Central Division championships and one AFC championship.
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Richard Dent
Defensive End
6-5, 265
1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles. … 15 seasons, 203 games.
Selected by Chicago in eighth round (203rd overall) of 1983 draft. … Became full-time starter early in 1984, beginning a 10-year period in which he made 10 or more sacks in eight of 10 seasons. … An intimidating player, could speed rush or power rush the quarterback. … Twice had 4 1/2 sacks in a game, both vs. Raiders (1984 and 1987). … One of game's top pass rushers with 137 1/2 career sacks, which ranked third all-time at his retirement. … Recorded double-digit sacks eight times, including streak of five consecutive years (1984-1988). … Led NFC with team record 17 1/2 sacks in 1984. … In following year, led NFL with 17 sacks as an integral part of Bears' dominating defense. … Won Super Bowl MVP honours following Bears' 46-10 win over Patriots in 1986. … Career statistics include eight interceptions (one touchdown), a safety, and fumble recovery for touchdown. … First- or second-team All-Pro four times, selected to play in four Pro Bowls.
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Chris Doleman
Defensive End/Linebacker
6-5, 270
1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers. … 15 seasons, 232 games.
Selected by Vikings in first round (fourth player overall) in 1985 draft. … Drafted as linebacker, moved to starting defensive end position final three games of second season. … Tallied team-high 11 sacks in 198. … First of six sack titles with Vikings. … Named All-NFL, All-NFC and voted to first Pro Bowl in 1987 … Finest season came in 1989, led NFL with 21 sacks, one shy of single-season record at time. … In 1992, named NFC?s Defensive Player of the Year when he recorded 14 1-2 sacks and 64 tackles, returned interception for touchdown, forced six fumbles, recovered three fumbles, and had safety. … Spent two seasons with Atlanta (1994-95) three with the San Francisco (1996-98). … Returned to Vikings for final season, 1999. … His 150 1-2 sacks was NFL?s fourth best at time of retirement. … Tied for third in the NFL Record Book with eight seasons 10 or more sacks. … Also intercepted eight passes returning two for touchdowns; recorded two safeties; and scored touchdown on a fumble recovery during career. … Named to eight Pro Bowls; first-team All-Pro in 1987, 1989, 1992 and first-team All-NFC four times. … A member of the NFL?s All-Decade Team of 1990s.
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Marshall Faulk
Running Back
5-10, 208
1994-98 Indianapolis Colts, 1999-2005 St. Louis Rams. … 12 seasons, 176 games.
Selected by Colts first round (second player overall) in 1994 draft. … Rushed for 143 yards, scored three touchdowns in rookie debut. … Finished season with 1,282 rushing yards and AFC-leading 11 TDs. … Also caught 52 passes for 522 yards and touchdown. … Named Rookie of the Year. … Rushed for 1,000 yards in seven of first eight seasons. … In 1999 became second in NFL history to eclipse 1,000-yard mark in both rushing and receiving and set then-record for yards from scrimmage (2,429) and was named NFL?s Offensive Player of the Year for first of three straight times. … Named NFL MVP in 2000 after setting single-season record for touchdowns (26) that included league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns. … Was first of two straight seasons he led NFL in scoring and touchdowns. … First-team All-Pro 1999, 2000, 2001. … Second-team All-Pro in 1994, 1995, 1998. … Voted to seven Pro Bowls. … All-AFC twice and All-NFC three times in career. … First player in NFL history to gain 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons (1998-2001). … Retired as NFL?s ninth-ranked rusher (12,279 yards). … Recorded 767 receptions (16th all-time at retirement) for 6,875 yards, 36 touchdowns. … His 19,154 yards from scrimmage was sixth all-time.
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Charles Haley
Defensive End/Linebacker
6-5, 242
1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys. … 12 seasons, 169 games.
Selected by 49ers in fourth round (96 player overall) in 1986 draft. … Only player in NFL history to play on five winning Super Bowl teams (SBs XXIII, XXIV, XXVII, XXVIII, XXX). … Began career at linebacker and led 49ers in sacks in each of first six seasons. … Recorded four double-digit sack totals with 49ers including 12 as rookie and career-high 16 in 1990. … Moved to defensive end after trade to Dallas. … Added two more double-digit sack seasons, 1994, 1995. … Suffered serious back injury, limited to just five games, 1996. … Retired after undergoing surgery. … After a two-year hiatus, signed with 49ers as backup defensive end for two playoff games in 1998. … In 1999 came back for final season, added three sacks to finish career with 100.5. … Twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1994), voted to five Pro Bowls, named All-Pro twice, once as linebacker, once as defensive end. … Played in six NFC championship games over seven seasons. … Starting at left outside linebacker in 49ers 1988, 1989, 1990 championship games; at right defensive end in Cowboys' 1992, 1993, 1994 conference championships. … Member of 10 division championship teams during his 12-seasons.
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Chris Hanburger
Linebacker
6-2, 218
1965-1978 Washington Redskins. … 14 seasons, 187 games.
Senior nominee. … Selected by the Redskins in 18th round (245th player overall) in 1965 NFL Draft. … Made mark as a rookie as big-play maker. … Was "defensive quarterback" and one of most dependable and steady linebackers of era. … An integral part of dominant Redskins teams of the 1970s. … Selected first-team All-NFL four times in five-season span (1972-76). … Named All-Eastern Conference, 1968 and 1969; All-NFC six times in seven seasons (1970-76). … Voted to nine Pro Bowls … Outstanding play in 1972 helped lead the Redskins to first Super Bowl berth. Recorded numerous game-changing plays throughout season as team won NFC East with 11-3 mark. Shared team lead with career-high four interceptions. … In all, Hanburger recovered three fumbles for touchdowns, an NFL record at time of retirement. … Also recorded 19 career interceptions for 347 yards and 2 TDs.
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Cortez Kennedy
Defensive Tackle
6-3, 298
1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks. … 11 seasons, 167 games.
Selected by Seattle in the first round (third overall) of 1990 draft. … Extremely durable, played in 167 of possible 176 games. … Injury ended streak of 116 straight games played and club record 100 consecutive games started. … Named first-team All Rookie by PFWA. … Voted to a team-record eight Pro Bowls (1992-97, 1999, 2000). … Named first-team (1992, 1993, 1994) or second-team (1991, 1996) All-Pro five times. … Named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 while playing for a 2-14 team. … That season led all interior linemen with 14 sacks and career best 92 tackles; had four forced fumbles; recovered fumble and batted down two passes. … Recorded three career interceptions and scored touchdown on a fumble recovery. … Recorded 73 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and two interceptions in 1999 as team captured AFC Western Division title.
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Curtis Martin
Running Back
5-11, 207
1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets. … 11 seasons, 168 games.
New England Patriots third round draft pick (74th player overall) of 1995 draft. … Ran 30 yards on first NFL carry, scored game-winning touchdown and became first Patriots player to rush for 100 yards in pro debut. … Had rookie-record-tying nine 100-yard games. … Finished year as AFC?s leading rusher; 1,487 yards, 14 touchdowns. … Named Rookie of the Year, voted to first of five Pro Bowls. … Joined Hall of Famer Barry Sanders as only runners ever to start careers with 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons. … Led his team in rushing in each of his 11 seasons. … Had finest year in 2004. … Rushed for career-high 1,697 yards winning his lone NFL rushing title. … Also tied career-high nine games with 100-plus yards rushing. … Suffered knee injury in final year snapping streak of 119 consecutive starts that kept him from reaching 1,000-yard mark for only time in career. … First- or second-team All-Pro 1999, 2001, 2004. … Retired as NFL?s fourth all-time leading rusher; 14,101 yards on 3,518 carries, 90 rushing touchdowns … Rushed for 100-plus yards 57 times … Caught 484 passes for 3,329 yards and 10 touchdowns. … His 17,421 combined net yards placed him 10th all-time.
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Andre Reed
Wide Receiver
6-2, 190
1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins. … 16 seasons, 234 games.
Selected by Buffalo in fourth round (86th overall) of 1985 draft. … Most prolific receiver in Buffalo Bills history. … His 951 career receptions were third in NFL history at time of his retirement. … His 941 career receptions still are a Bills record and 266 more than No. 2 on that list. … His 13,095 yards receiving and 36 games with 100-plus yards are current team records. … Known for gaining yards after catch. … His 13 seasons, including nine consecutive, with 50-plus receptions is exceeded only by Jerry Rice. … Reed is tied with Bills running back Thurman Thomas for team's most career touchdowns (87), most of them on passes from Jim Kelly. … Kelly-Reed tandem held NFL record for career receptions (663) until 2004 when eclipsed by Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison. … Known for toughness, he made many of his receptions over the middle. … Selected to play in seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-1995). … Had 85 catches for 1,229 yards, including five 100-yard games, in post-season play.
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Les Richter
Linebacker
6-3, 238
1954-1962 Los Angeles Rams. … Nine seasons, 112 games.
Senior nominee. … Selected by New York Yanks in first round (second player overall) of 1952 draft. … Yanks folded two days after NFL Draft. … Team assets, including signing rights to Richter, were granted to expansion Dallas Texans. … Los Angeles Rams dealt 11 players to Texans to obtain Richter … Rams waited two years while Richter served in military. … Upon return signed with Rams and embarked on nine-season career that earned him reputation as one of the best linebackers of his era. … Known for rugged, punishing style of play. … Was selected to eight straight Pro Bowls, missing only final season in 1962. … Also named a first- or second-team All-NFL each season during a six-year span, 1955-1960. … Also saw some time at centre and handled Rams place-kicking duties early in career. … Received much attention in 1955 for his play on defense as well as clutch place-kicking that helped Rams to 8-3-1 record and NFL Western Division crown and berth in championship game. … Led Rams in scoring, 1955 and 1956. … In all, totalled 193 points off of 29 field goals and 106 extra points during career. … Recorded 16 career interceptions for 206 yards. … Twice had four picks in a season (1957 and 1961) and was Rams leading interceptor in 1957. … Never missed a game during 112-game career.
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Willie Roaf
Tackle
6-5, 300
1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs. … 13 seasons, 189 games.
Selected by New Orleans in first round (eighth player overall) of 1993 draft. … Started all 16 games at right tackle, did not miss offensive snap during first season earning All-Rookie honours … Following year switched to left tackle and was voted to first of 11 Pro Bowls, named first-team All-Pro, All-NFC, and NFLPA?s NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year for first of two consecutive seasons … Played nine seasons in New Orleans, starting 131 regular season games. … Also started two playoff games including franchise?s first-ever post-season win, a 31-28 victory over defending Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams in 2000 NFC Wild Card Game. … Knee injury shortened 2001 season to just seven games. … Traded by the Saints to Chiefs in exchange for a third-round draft pick … Rebounded from injury to regain form and earned All-Pro honours in three of four seasons with Chiefs. … Was a key part of Kansas City?s offensive line that helped Chiefs lead NFL in points scored in 2002, 2003 … Team also led AFC in total yards in 2003 and NFL in 2004, 2005. … Was named first-team All-Pro seven times (1994-96, 2000, 2003-05), All-NFC six times, and All-AFC three times. … A member of the NFL?s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
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Ed Sabol
Founder/President/Chairman NFL Films. 1964-1995.
Man behind idea of NFL Films. … Aspiring filmmaker, who at age 45 hatched idea of forming Blair Productions, a film company named after daughter. … In 1962 contacted NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle with offer to double $1,500 bid for rights to film 1962 NFL Championship Game. … Rozelle accepted and Sabol?s film company was off and rolling. … From start, incorporated unique creative angles inspired by his background in drama society at Ohio State and brief stint on Broadway. … Rather than single camera located high in stadium, Sabol added sideline camera to catch intensity of players. … Blair Productions continued to shoot NFL action for next two years before Sabol convinced NFL it needed own motion picture company. … With that, NFL Films was born. … Served as President until 1985 when he turned over role to son Steve. … Senior Sabol continued to serve as Chairman through his retirement in 1995. … During tenure, NFL Films won 52 Emmy Awards. … With Ed Sabol?s vision, NFL Films revolutionized manner in which sports are presented. … Firsts in film include use of microphone on coaches, referees and players; use of reverse-angle replay; adding popular music to footage; and popular bloopers videos. … Began producing weekly NFL highlight shows in the late 1960s, introduced first sports home video in 1980.
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Deion Sanders
Cornerback/Kick Returner/Punt Returner
6-1, 195
189-1993 Atlanta Falcons, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-99 Dallas Cowboys, 2000 Washington Redskins, 2004-05 Baltimore Ravens. … 14 seasons, 188 games.
Selected by Atlanta in first round (fifth player overall) of 1989 draft. … Returned punt 68 yards for touchdown in NFL debut. … Scored total of six touchdowns on punt returns, three TDs on kickoff returns, and returned nine interceptions for scores during career. … Multifaceted athlete returned one fumble for TD and had 60 receptions for 784 yards and 3 TDs. … In all, recorded 53 career interceptions including five with Ravens when he returned to field after three-year retirement. … Member of NFL?s All-Decade Team of 1990s as both cornerback, punt returner. … Led NFL in punt returns, 1998, with 15.6 average. … Led NFC in kickoffs in 1992 and interceptions in 1991, 1993. … Named first-team All-Pro nine times at cornerback along with receiving All-Pro as kick returner in 1992 and punt returner 1998. … Elected to eight Pro Bowls. … Retired second all-time in interception return yardage (1,331), tied for second for most interceptions returned for touchdown in a career (9) and a season (3). … His 303 yards gained on interception returns in 1994, third best in NFL at retirement. … In 1994 became first player to have two 90-yard interception returns for touchdowns in same season. … Named NFL?s Defensive Player of the Year, 1994.
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Shannon Sharpe
Tight End
6-2, 230
1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens. 14 seasons, 204 games.
Selected by Denver in the seventh round (192nd overall) of 1990 draft. … At time of retirement, his 815 career receptions and 10,060 yards and 62 TDs were all NFL career records for a tight end. … His 214 receiving yards vs. Kansas City in 2002 is an NFL single-game record for a tight end. … Tied NFL record with 13 receptions in single post-season game (vs. Raiders, 1993). … Three times during career amassed over 1,000 yards receiving. … Earned first- or second-team All-Pro honours five times and first- or second-team All-AFC honours six times. … Selected to play in eight Pro Bowls (1993-1999, 2002). … In 1996 led all tight ends in receptions (80), receiving yards (1,062 yards), and receiving touchdowns (10). … Following season had career best 1,107 receiving yards for career best 15.4 yard average. … An integral part of Broncos' 1998 and 1999 and Ravens' 2001 Super Bowl championships.
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Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
