Andersen, Kenn named Hall of Fame semifinalists

Falcons Morten Andersen and Mike Kenn were among the 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016, the Hall announced on Tuesday.

Three first-year eligible candidates – quarterback Brett Favre, who was drafted by the Falcons, guard Alan Faneca, and wide receiver Terrell Owens were also in the group that was cut down from a list of 108 players.

Two other players, tackle Tony Boselli and linebacker Sam Mills, although previously eligible for the Hall, are semifinalists for the first time.

All other individuals on the list have been a semifinalist in previous years.

The group of semifinalists includes 22 players (15 offense, 6 on defense and 1 special teams) and three coaches.

The year-round selection process is integral in fulfilling the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values and Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.

The following is the complete list of Modern-Era semifinalists for the Class of 2016 with positions, years and teams listed.

Also included are the number of times and years that each individual has been named a semifinalist since this reduction vote was added to the selection bylaws in 2004.

1. Morten Andersen

K – 1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2013-16)

2. Steve Atwater

S – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2012-16)

3. Tony Boselli

T – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve) | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2016)

4. Isaac Bruce

WR – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

5. Don Coryell

Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2005, 2010-16)

6. Roger Craig

RB – 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2009-16)

7. Terrell Davis

RB – 1995-2001 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 – 2007-2016)

8. Tony Dungy

Coach – 1996-2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2002-08 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2014-16)

9. Alan Faneca

G - 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2016)

10. Brett Favre

QB – 1991 Atlanta Falcons, 1992-2007 Green Bay Packers, 2008 New York Jets, 2009-2010 Minnesota Vikings | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2016)

11. Kevin Greene

LB/DE – 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 – 2007-2016)

12. Marvin Harrison

WR – 1996-2008 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2014-16)

13. Torry Holt

WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars| (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

14. Joe Jacoby

T – 1981-1993 Washington Redskins | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2005, 2008, 2013-16)

15. Edgerrin James

RB – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

16. Jimmy Johnson

Coach – 1989-1993 Dallas Cowboys, 1996-99 Miami Dolphins | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2014-16)

17. Mike Kenn

T – 1978-1994 Atlanta Falcons| (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

18. Ty Law

CB – 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006- 07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos| (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

19. John Lynch

FS – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2013-16)

20. Kevin Mawae

C/G – 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans| (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

21. Karl Mecklenburg

LB – 1983-1994 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2012-16)

22. Sam Mills

LB – 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2016)

23. Terrell Owens

WR – 1996-2003 San Francisco 49ers, 2004-05 Philadelphia Eagles, 2006-08 Dallas Cowboys, 2009 Buffalo Bills, 2010 Cincinnati Bengals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2016)

24. Orlando Pace

T – 1997-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Chicago Bears| (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

25. Kurt Warner

QB – 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals| (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2015-16)

To be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a nominated player or coach must not have participated as an active player or coach for five consecutive seasons.

The list of 25 semifinalists will be reduced by mail ballot to 15 Modern-Era Finalists in January. That list increases to 18 finalists with the inclusion of the recommended nominees of the Hall of Fame’s Contributors and Seniors Committees.

The 2016 Senior Finalists are Ken Stabler (QB – 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints) and Dick Stanfel (G – 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins).

The 2016 Contributor Finalist is former San Francisco 49ers owner (1977-2000) Edward DeBartolo, Jr.