The city of Los Angeles and their former football teams was well-represented when the 2012 NFL Hall Of Fame finalists were announced on Saturday. Among those affiliated with the Los Angeles Raiders and/or Rams include Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis and Kevin Greene. Here is a complete list of the nominees.
Jerome Bettis - Running Back - 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
Tim Brown - Wide Receiver/Kick Returner - 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jack Butler* - Cornerback - 1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers
Cris Carter - Wide Receiver - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Dermontti Dawson - Center - 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Edward DeBartolo, Jr. - Owner - 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers
Chris Doleman - Defensive End/Linebacker - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
Kevin Greene - Linebacker/Defensive End - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
Charles Haley - Defensive End/Linebacker - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
Cortez Kennedy - Defensive Tackle - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
Curtis Martin - Running Back - 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets
Bill Parcells - Coach - 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
Andre Reed - Wide Receiver - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 WashingtonRedskins
Willie Roaf - Tackle - 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs
Will Shields - Guard - 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs
Dick Stanfel* - Guard - 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins
Aeneas Williams - Cornerback/Safety - 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams
Bettis ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards and is known for being one of the toughest running backs in NFL history. With the L.A. Rams he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in two seasons before being dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he would go on to greatness for the next decade.
Brown spent most of his time between Los Angeles and Oakland and is currently ranked No. 2 in receiving yards and No. 3 in touchdown catches. Never blessed with incredible athleticism, his ability to get open and create plays for the offense was something to behold in his prime. This is Brown's third time on the ballot.
Kevin Greene spent seven seasons with the L.A. Rams and was one of the better linemen of his era, and was even skilled enough to both rush the passer and fall back in coverage. He averaged double-digit sacks throughout his career and was named an All-Pro numerous times in the NFL.
A big congratulations to each of these three players. The Selection Committee will meet in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, February 4, 2012, to elect the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The election results will be announced at 5:30 p.m. ET during a one-hour NFL Network special, live from the Super Bowl Media Center. The Class of 2012 will be the 50th class to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.