March 28, 2024

Marvin Harrison, Dungy new HOF candidates

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Marvin Harrison and Tony Dungy, two key ingredients for the 2006 NFL champion Indianapolis Colts, are among 16 first-year-eligible modern era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class.

Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, who also played under Dungy, is a candidate, too. So are former Raiders punter Ray Guy and former Falcons and Eagles defensive end Claude Humphrey as senior nominees.

Harrison spent 13 seasons with the Colts, making 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. An eight-time Pro Bowl receiver, Harrison had four consecutive seasons with at least 100 catches. He teamed with Peyton Manning for nearly all of those catches and retired second in career receptions to Jerry Rice.

The election will take place on Feb. 1, the night before the Super Bowl. Between four and seven new members will be selected to the Hall of Fame and will be enshrined next August.

A nominated player or coach must been out of the game for five consecutive seasons before he can be considered for the hall. A contributor may still be active in his pro football career.

The 2014 list has 89 players, 16 coaches and 21 contributors, including former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and longtime team owners Bud Adams Jr., Jack Kent Cooke, Edward DeBartolo Jr., Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Art Modell.

Other players who are first-time candidates for induction are quarterback Trent Green, running backs Shaun Alexander and Warrick Dunn, offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Walter Jones, linebackers Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest and Zach Thomas, defensive backs Rodney Harrison, Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain, and coaches Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren.