Three former Denver Broncos were among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Running back Terrell Davis made the cut, as did two defensive players who also played in blue and orange: John Lynch and Brian Dawkins.
Up to five members of the 15-player class will be chosen when the Selection Committee meets Feb. 4. Getting in won't be easy. Running back LaDanian Tomlinson is up for selection for the first time, and quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receiver Terrell Owens are also among the finalists.
This is Davis' third time as a finalist. He is the Broncos' all-time leading rusher with 7,607 yards. He averaged 97.5 rushing yards per game for his career, which ranks all time, and he scored 60 touchdowns and won a Super Bowl MVP.
The knock against Davis is his longevity. He only played seven seasons. But when he did play, few were better. Davis rushed for 157 yards in Super Bowl XXXII and became the first player in Super Bowl history to score three rushing touchdowns in a game. Davis followed that up with his 2,108-yard, 21-touchdown season in 1998.
Lynch spent the first 11 seasons of his career with Tampa Bay and capped it with four seasons in Denver. This is his fourth time as a finalist. He is a nine-time Pro Bowler. He is seeking to become the first pure safety since 1981 to get in.
Dawkins, who also played safety, spent the last three seasons of his career in Denver after 13 in Philadelphia. This is his first year as a finalist. He had 37 interceptions and 895 tackles in 224 career games.
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