2012 Finalists comparative stats: Defensive Linemen
Three defensive linemen – Chris Doleman, Charles Haley, and Cortez Kennedy – are among the 17 finalists who will be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012. Doleman and Haley starred primarily at defensive end and both played some time at linebacker. Kennedy would become the 14th defensive tackle to earn election to the Hall of Fame.
All three have been finalists in the past. This year marks the fourth time as a finalist for Kennedy, the third year as a finalist for Haley and the second consecutive year among the 17 finalists for Doleman.
| Defensive Linemen Finalists for 2012 Election | ||||||||
| Championship Teams | ||||||||
| Player | Years | Position | All Pro | All Conference | Pro Bowls | Div. | Conf. | League |
| Chris Doleman | 15 | Def. End/Linebacker | 3 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Charles Haley | 12 | Def. End/Linebacker* | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Cortez Kennedy | 11 | Defensive Tackle | 3 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Defensive Linemen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame | ||||||||
| Championship Teams | ||||||||
| Player | Years | Position | All Pro | All Conference | Pro Bowls | Div. | Conf. | League |
| Doug Atkins | 17 | Defensive End | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Elvin Bethea | 16 | Defensive End | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Buck Buchanan | 13 | Defensive Tackle | 4 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Willie Davis | 12 | Defensive End | 5 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Fred Dean | 11 | Defensive End | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Richard Dent | 15 | Defensive End | 2 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Art Donovan | 12 | Defensive Tackle | 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Carl Eller | 16 | Defensive End | 5 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Len Ford | 11 | Defensive End ** | 5 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Joe Greene | 13 | Defensive Tackle | 5 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Dan Hampton | 12 | Def. End/Def. Tackle | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Deacon Jones | 14 | Defensive End | 6 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Henry Jordan | 13 | Defensive Tackle | 5 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
| Bob Lilly | 14 | Defensive Tackle | 8 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Howie Long | 13 | Defensive End | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Gino Marchetti | 14 | Defensive End | 9 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Leo Nomellini | 14 | Defensive Tackle *** | 6 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Merlin Olsen | 15 | Defensive Tackle | 6 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Alan Page | 15 | Defensive Tackle | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| John Randle | 14 | Def. End/Tackle | 6 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Andy Robustelli | 14 | Defensive End | 7 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Lee Roy Selmon | 9 | Defensive End | 3 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Bruce Smith | 19 | Defensive End | 9 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Ernie Stautner | 14 | Defensive Tackle | 4 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arnie Weinmeister | 6 | Defensive Tackle | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Randy White | 14 | Defensive Tackle | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Reggie White | 15 | Def. End/Def. Tackle | 10 | 12 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Bill Willis | 8 | Middle Guard **** | 7 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
| Jack Youngblood | 14 | Defensive End | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| * Haley eartned All-Pro honors once at defensive end and once at linebacker. | ||||||||
| ** Ford played first two seasons as an offensive end with the Los Angeles Dons (AAFC). | ||||||||
| *** Nomellini also played offensive tackle and was All-NFL twice at that position. | ||||||||
| ****Also played offensive guard. | ||||||||
2012 Finalists comparative stats: Wide Receivers
This year marks the sixth straight year that Andre Reed has been a finalist while Cris Carter is among the group of 17 finalists for the fifth consecutive year. Tim Brown, who also excelled as a kick return man, has been a finalist three straight times.
More milestones noted in Canton
Mementos from an incredible 2011 season keep arriving at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In recent days, a jersey worn by Darren Sproles and football thrown by Matt Flynn were sent to the Hall of Fame.