Former Steelers Bettis and Dawson Finalists in HOF Ballot 2012

The HOF committee pared down the list of 26 semi-finalists for the Class of 2012 to 15 finalists and two senior nominees (one of them being CB Jack Butler of the Steelers).  Jerome Bettis and Dermontti Dawson are still on that list.  Now Steelers Nation must wait until February 4th until the committee then votes on who finally gets in.

The committee can select up to seven former players but no less than four.  The voting is all up to the committee and each player must receive at least 80 percent support from the Board.  So we can’t just say that Bettis’ and Dawson’s chances are 50/50.  There haven’t been too many years where seven players are inducted at one time.  But looking at the rest of the potential class, both of their chances are pretty good at getting 80 percent of support.  The rest of the class is as follows:

Bill Parcells

Tim Brown

Cris Carter

Andre Reed

Curtis Martin

Will Shields

Aeneas Williams

Chris Doleman

Kevin Greene

Charles Haley

Cortez Kennedy,

Willie Roaf

Edward DeBartolo Jr.

Senior nominees: Jack Butler and former Lions guard Dick Stanfel.

There’s some potent offense being represented this year, but I still think that Bettis’ numbers hold stronger than the rest.  And, I just have a feeling that it’s Dawson’s year to get it.  And if you are the superstitious type just look at their numbers… literally – #36 and #63.  Ehhhh? Ehhhhhhhh?  Although, they were both denied the Hall last season as finalists.  Will the Steeler go 3 for 3 with Butler?  I don’t know if the committee will try and be all touchy feely with all the other players by not allowing that to happen and delaying one or even two of those Steelers off the enshrine’es list this year.

Good luck to all those players.  A pretty great group – with Bettis surely at the top.