The complete list of 26 modern-era semifinalists is as follows:Former Jets running back Curtis Martin is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second consecutive season after not making it a first-ballot Hall of Famer during his first year of eligibility. Waiting an extra year may be a blessing in disguise for Martin, because former coach – Bill Parcells –and Martin's choice to present him into the Hall of Fame is also eligible for induction in 2012 – his first year of eligibility.
Parcells coached Martin both with the Jets and New England Patriots. Parcells also spent some time with ESPN and the Dallas Cowboys, which was his last coaching stop. Unfortunately, he sort of ended with an anti-Michael Jordan moment with the Cowboys, as his lasting memory is a playoff loss following the Tony Romo bobbled snap.
The complete list of 15 modern-era semifinalists is as follows:
Jerome Bettis - Running Back - 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
Tim Brown - Wide Receiver/Kick Returner - 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cris Carter - Wide Receiver - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Dermontti Dawson - Center - 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Edward DeBartolo, Jr. - Owner - 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers
Chris Doleman - Defensive End/Linebacker - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
Kevin Greene - Linebacker/Defensive End - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
Charles Haley - Defensive End/Linebacker - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
Cortez Kennedy - Defensive Tackle - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
Curtis Martin - Running Back - 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets
Bill Parcells - Coach - 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
Andre Reed - Wide Receiver - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins
Willie Roaf - Tackle - 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs
Will Shields - Guard - 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs
Aeneas Williams - Cornerback/Safety - 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams