Former Steelers Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, Alan Faneca named Hall of Fame semifinalists

Three former members of the Pittsburgh Steelers are among the 25 semifinalists of Modern-Era candidates for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wide receiver Hines Ward, guard Alan Faneca and safety Troy Polamalu were among the candidates who made the cut from 122 nominees to the 25 semifinalists, the Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.

Polamalu made the group of semifinalists in his first year of eligibility. Faneca is a semifinalist for the fifth time and Ward has made it for a fourth year in a row. Faneca made it to the round of finalists in each of the past three years but fell short of induction. Ward has never advanced to the final round of balloting.

Faneca was named to the Pro Bowl nine times and was a first-team All-Pro selection six times in his 13-year career.

Ward played 14 seasons with the Steelers and was Super Bowl XL MVP. He is the franchise’s career leader in receptions and receiving yardage, and he was named to the Pro Bowl four times.

In 12 seasons with the Steelers, Polamalu was voted to the Pro Bowl eight times, was a four-time first-team All-Pro and was the 2010 NFL defensive player of the year.

In addition to Polamalu, former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis and former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne reached the semifinals on their first time on the ballot. Four holdovers — linebacker Carl Banks, running backs Fred Taylor and Ricky Watters and defensive tackle Bryant Young — also are semifinalists for the first time.

The 25 semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists on Jan. 2. That group will be voted on by the 48-member selection committee during its annual meeting on the eve of the Super Bowl. Five players from the Modern Era will be selected for the Class of 2020.

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