PITTSBURGH _ Former Steelers Troy Polamalu and Alan Faneca are now one step closer to receiving pro football's greatest honor.
They were among the 15 modern-era finalists selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Thursday for the 2020 class.
The other finalists were running back Edgerrin James, linebacker Zach Thomas, defensive tackle Bryant Young, defensive end Richard Seymour, safety John Lynch, safety Steve Atwater, safety LeRoy Butler, receiver Torry Holt, receiver Isaac Bruce, receiver Reggie Wayne, tackle Tony Boselli, guard Steve Hutchinson and linebacker Sam Mills.
Not among the finalists was former Steelers receiver Hines Ward, who cracked the semifinalist list released in late November.
Polamalu and Faneca will become Hall of Famers if the selection committee picks them to be among the five modern-era finalists who will get in this year, along with 10 "seniors" (players who have been retired for more than 25 seasons), three "contributors" (someone other than a player or coach) and two coaches.
Polamalu is in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, though many would consider the eight-time Pro Bowler to be a no-brainer selection.
"In my mind, there's no question he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer," Steelers president Art Rooney II told the Post-Gazette when it was announced Polamalu was a Hall of Fame semifinalist. "He's a once-in-a-generation player who had an unbelievable impact on our team for many years."
This will be Faneca's fifth time vying for the Hall of Fame. He went to nine Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL's all-decade team and the Steelers' all-time team.
The 2020 Hall of Fame class will be announced Feb. 1 _ the night before Super Bowl Sunday _ during "NFL Honors," which will air on Fox at 8 p.m.
