Canton, OH (Sports Network) - First-year candidates Warren Sapp, Michael Strahan, John Lynch, Jonathan Ogden, Larry Allen and Morten Andersen are among the 27 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
The Hall of Fame's Selection Committee chose the semifinalists for an original list of 127 preliminary nominees. A three-person tie for the final position allowed two extra names to be listed on what normally is a 25-man ballot.
Other semifinalists this year include Steve Atwater, Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Don Coryell, Roger Craig, Terrell Davis, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Joe Jacoby, Albert Lewis, Karl Mecklenburg, Art Modell, Bill Parcells, Andre Reed, Will Shields, Paul Tagliabue, Steve Tasker, Aeneas Williams and George Young.
In early January, the list of semifinalists will be reduced to 15 modern-era finalists that will join the two previously announced senior nominees -- Curley Culp and Dave Robinson -- to be considered for election.
The Class of 2013, which will consist of between four to seven new members, will be determined at the Selection Committee's annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in New Orleans the day before Super Bowl XLVII.
