Bruce Smith heads list of Hall of Fame semifinalists
editor1 |Nov 25,2008
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CANTON, Ohio (Ticker) -- Defensive end Bruce Smith and defensive
back Rod Woodson are among the 25 semifinalists for the Pro
Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.
Smith, the NFL's all-time sacks leader with 200, and Woodson, a
standout for four teams - most notably the Pittsburgh Steelers -
headline the group of four first-year eligible players. Also in
that quartet is defensive tackle John Randle and tight end
Shannon Sharpe.
In early January, the list will be pared to 15 finalists from
the modern era along with wide receiver Bob Hayes and defensive
end Claude Humphrey, who were selected this past August as the
senior selection committee's nominees.
Smith was an eight-time All-Pro in a 19-year career with the
Bills and Washington Redskins from 1985-2003. The 11-time Pro
Bowler recorded at least 10 sacks in 13 different seasons.
Woodson recorded 71 interceptions in a 15-year career with the
Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Ravens and Oakland
Raiders.
A six-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler, Woodson was one of
the NFL's top cornerbacks during his 10-year stint in
Pittsburgh. He switched to free safety later in his career and
also was a member of Baltimore's Super Bowl-winning team
following the 2000 season.
Sharpe was the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yardage among
tight ends until Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez broke the record on
October 5.
In a 14-year career spent with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore
Ravens, Sharpe had 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62
touchdowns. The four-time All-Pro won two Super Bowls with the
Broncos and one with the Ravens.
An eight-time Pro Bowler known for his trash talking, Sharpe
posted three seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
Top candidates for the final cut include Cris Carter, who ranks
fourth all-time with 131 receiving touchdowns, and defensive end
Richard Dent, who is tied with Randle for sixth all-time with
137 career sacks.
While there are no coaches among the semifinalists, former
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson
and Art Modell, the former owner of the Cleveland Browns and
Baltimore Ravens, are listed in the contributor category.
The Class of 2009, which will feature between four and seven
players, will be announced on January 31 - the day before the
Super Bowl - in Tampa, Florida.
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