In this Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004 file photo,
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Farve throws a pass in the first quarter
against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis. Associated Press
CANTON, Ohio –
Brett Favre is back in the news — no, he's not attempting another
comeback.
Favre was among
the 108 modern-day nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2016
announced Wednesday night. The NFL's career leader in nearly every passing
category when he retired after the 2010 season and winner of the 1997 Super
Bowl with Green Bay, Favre leads a strong list of first-time nominees.
That group
includes Terrell Owens, one of the league's most prolific and dynamic receivers
for most of his 15 pro seasons, and Alan Faneca, an elite blocker who made six
All-Pro teams at guard in his 13 seasons.
Other
first-year-eligible nominees are safety Lawyer Milloy; running backs Brian
Westbrook and Clinton Portis; place-kicker John Carney; and linebackers Keith
Bulluck and Mike Vrabel.
Already nominated
by the seniors committee are Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel. The 2016 contributor
candidate is former 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.
The nominees
consist of 93 players (51 on offense, 33 on defense, 9 from special teams) and
15 coaches. They will be trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November and, from
there, to 15 finalists in January.
Voting will
culminate Feb. 6, the night before the Super Bowl. While there is no set number
for any class of enshrinees, the selection process bylaws provide that between
four and eight new members will be selected.
Favre, of course,
is the headliner. A three-time league MVP, he retired with 508 touchdown
passes, 71,838 yards and 186 victories. Of course, he temporarily retired twice
late in his career, and finished up with Minnesota for two seasons following 16
in Green Bay and one with the Jets. He spent his rookie season as a backup in
Atlanta before being dealt to the Packers, where he helped revitalize the
franchise.
The polarizing
Owens played for five franchises, making All-Pro five times. T.O. led the
league in TD receptions three times, retiring with 153, and perhaps in feuds
with his quarterbacks, many of whom he felt didn't target him enough.
Asked about
aiming for the Hall of Fame, Owens told NFL Network:
"I still
don't, never realized it, never a dream of mine," Owens said. "I
never thought I would play beyond the collegiate level. Everything I did
playing in the NFL, I look back and marvel at it. I am a very competitive
person, once I get my mind on something, I go full-bore into it."
Faneca anchored
Pittsburgh's offensive line for a decade, winning a Super Bowl. He also played
two years for the Jets and one for Arizona.
Finalists from
2015 who are on the ballot are place-kicker Morten Andersen; coaches Don
Coryell, Tony Dungy and Jimmy Johnson; running back Terrell Davis;
linebacker-defensive end Kevin Greene; wide receiver Marvin Harrison; safety
John Lynch; tackle Orlando Pace; and quarterback Kurt Warner.
.
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