Three Steelers Among the 25 NFL Hall of Fame Semifinalists

The Pittsburgh Steelers wing in the NFL Hall of Fame has a chance of adding a name or two (or three) this year.

Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the list of 25 semifinalists, which included three former Steelers.

The new name this year joining two holdovers is former All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu, which is the first year on the ballot for him. Two other first timers that made the list of semifinalists are wide receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis.

Two other Steelers that made the semifinalist list are wide receiver Hines Ward and guard Alan Faneca, who made it to the final 10 last year.

The other 20 semifinalists are linebacker Carl Banks, running back Fred Taylor, running back Ricky Watters, defensive tackle Bryant Young, running back Edgerrin James, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, wide receiver Torry Holt, offensive tackle Tony Boselli, offensive tackle Steve Hutchinson, defensive end Simeon Rice, defensive end Richard Seymour, linebacker Clay Matthews, linebacker Sam Mills, linebacker Zach Thomas, defensive back Steve Atwater, defensive back Ronde Barber, defensive back LeRoy Butler, defensive back John Lynch, defensive back Darren Woodson and special teamer Steve Tasker.

In January, this group of 25 players will be narrowed down to 15 finalists. The actual Hall of Fame Class will be voted on the day before the Super Bowl. The five players that made the list of finalists last year but came up short in voting were Faneca, Hutchinson, Atwater, Boselli and James.