The Pro Football Hall of Fame on Monday morning announced the preliminary nominees for the Class of 2011. The 113 names on the list include seven candidates who are eligible for the first time: cornerback Deion Sanders, running backs Jerome Bettis, Marshall Faulk, and Curtis Martin, wide receiver Jimmy Smith, tackle Willie Roaf, and coach Dick Vermeil.
Hall of Fame selectors will choose 25 candidates who will advance as semifinalist nominees. The list of 25 modern-era semifinalists will be announced in mid-November. The semifinalists list will be reduced by a mail ballot to 15 modern-era finalists that will be announced in early January.
The actual voting will be conducted at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee's annual meeting, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, the day before Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas.
The preliminary list includes 84 players, 9 coaches and 20 contributors, including former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and longtime team owners Bud Adams Jr. and Art Modell.
For the complete list of 113 nominees, click here.
