Gonzalez, Bailey and Seymour all first-time Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists

Former Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez and former Georgia standouts Champ Bailey and Richard Seymour are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2019, which was announced Thursday.

Gonzalez, who was drafted by Kansas City (1997-2008), played for the Falcons from 2009-13. He played in 270 games and was voted to 14 Pro Bowls.

Bailey, considered the top cornerback of his era, played in 215 games over 15 seasons with Washington (1999-2003) and Denver (2004-13). He was voted to 14 Pro Bowls.

Bailey, after starring at Charlton County, played at Georgia from 1996-98.

Seymour, a massive defensive tackle at 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, played for New England (2001-12) and Oakland (2009-12). He played in 164 games over 12 seasons. He was voted to seven Pro Bowls.

He played at Georgia from 1997-2000.

In addition to Gonzalez, Bailey and Seymour, safety Ed Reed and Tom Flores were named finalists for the first time.

Former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, who also played at Georgia, and linebacker Clay Matthews, who played for the Falcons 1994-1996, were semifinalists but did not advance in the voting.  

Champ Bailey was limited during the regular season by a foot injury but played in the playoffs.

Here’s the 2019 modern-era finalists with their positions, years and teams:

• Steve Atwater, Safety – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets.
• Champ Bailey, Cornerback – 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos.
• Tony Boselli, Tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers.
• Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers.
• Alan Faneca, Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals.
• Tom Flores, Coach – 1979-1987 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-94 Seattle Seahawks.
• Tony Gonzalez, Tight End – 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons.
• Steve Hutchinson, Guard – 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans.
• Edgerrin James, Running Back – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks.
• Ty Law, Cornerback – 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos.

• John Lynch, Free Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos.
• Kevin Mawae, Center – 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans.
• Ed Reed, Safety – 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 Houston Texans, 2013 New York Jets.
• Richard Seymour, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders.