Football HOF Semi-Finalists are out

The Football Hall of Fame in Canton has announced their 27 semi-finalists for the 2013 Class. This group, which was pared down from the 127 preliminary nominees announced months ago includes six players who are in their first year of eligibility. The complete list in alphabetical order is as follows:

Larry Allen, Guard: (1^st Year)

Morten Andersen, Kicker: (1^st Year)

Steve Atwater, Safety

Tim Brown, Wide Receiver

Don Coryell, Coach

Roger Craig, Running Back

Terrell Davis, Running Back

Edward DeBartolo Jr., Owner

Kevin Greene, Linebacker

Charles Haley, Defensive End

Joe Jacoby, Offensive Tackle

Albert Lewis, Cornerback

John Lynch, Free Safety: (1^st Year)

Karl Mecklenburg, Linebacker

Art Modell, Owner

Jonathan Ogden, Offensive Tackle: (1^st Year)

Bill Parcells, Coach

Andre Reed, Wide Receiver

Warren Sapp, Defensive Tackle: (1^st Year)

Will Shields, Guard

Michael Strahan, Defensive End: (1^st Year)

Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner

Steve Tasker, Special Teams

Aeneas Williams, Cornerback

George Young, Contributor

This list will be reduced to 15 in a month’s time. The current list of Semi-Finalists contains no real surprises. The six first time nominees were expected, and all of the past stars who have been close are back. The Football Hall of Fame may be number two in the eyes of major Sports Halls behind Cooperstown, but the efficiency in which they operate and their lack of controversy is reducing that chasm.