2013 NFL Hall of Fame finalists: Several former players with LA connections are finalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio released their 17 finalists for the class of 2013. There are a few of those finalists who have ties to the Los Angeles area, whether that be they played professional football there, college football or were born there.

Jonathan Ogden, an offensive tackle, played his college football at UCLA before he was selected in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He played for the Ravens until his retirement in 2007. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl player, a nine-time All Pro and was a member of the Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV. While at UCLA, he won the Outland Trophy in 1995 and his jersey, No. 79, is retired.

Larry Allen, a former guard for the Cowboys and 49ers, was born in the Los Angeles area. He played his college ball at Sonoma State and was a second round pick by the Cowboys in 1994. He was, similar to Ogden, an 11-time Pro Bowler, a seven-time All-Pro and was on the Cowboys team that won Super Bowl XXX.

Tim Brown, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Raiders before they relocated to Oakland. He was drafted in the first round in 1988 and finished his career as a nine-time Pro Bowler, a one time second-team All Pro. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1987 while playing for Notre Dame.

Former running back Jerome Bettis was named a finalist. Before being picked up by the Steelers, he played, for a short period of time, for the LA Rams, before the team relocated to St. Louis. Bettis was a first-round pick by the LA Rams out of Notre Dame in 1993 and finished his career as a six-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All Pro, was on a member of the Steelers team that won Super Bowl XL. He was also name AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year in '93 while playing for the Rams.

Finally, Kevin Greene was another player that was named a finalist and also made his NFL debut with the LA Rams. He was drafted in 1985 in the fifth round out of Auburn and finished his career as a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All Pro, He also recored over 150 sacks as a linebacker.

Of course, all of these players won't make it into the Hall of Fame this year, as only a select few will, but just being a finalist is a major honor.