Two former Steelers are Hall of Fame semifinalists

Former Steelers Dermontti Dawson and Kevin Greene are among the 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced this afternoon.

Among other semifinalists for the Class of 2008 are former Pitt players Russ Grimm and Rickey Jackson.

The Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors chose the 26 semi-finalists from the recently announced list of 124 preliminary nominees. There was a tie for 25th place.

The semifinalists will be reduced to 15 who will join two seniors candidates for a vote on Feb. 2.

The list of 26 modern-era semifinalists:

Cris Carter, WR -- 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins

Terrell Davis, RB -- 1995-2001 Denver Broncos

Dermontti Dawson, C -- 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers

Fred Dean, DE -- 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-85 San Francisco 49ers

Richard Dent, DE -- 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles

Randy Gradishar, LB -- 1974-1983 Denver Broncos

Darrell Green, CB -- 1983-2002 Washington Redskins

Kevin Greene, LB/DE -- 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers

Russ Grimm, G -- 1981-1991 Washington Redskins

Ray Guy, P -- 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Charles Haley, DE/LB -- 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys

Lester Hayes, CB -- 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

Rickey Jackson, LB -- 1981-1993 New Orleans Saints, 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers

Joe Jacoby, T -- 1981-1993 Washington Redskins

Cortez Kennedy, DT -- 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks

Bob Kuechenberg, G -- 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins

Randall McDaniel, G -- 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Art Monk, WR -- 1980-1993 Washington Redskins, 1994 New York Jets, 1995 Philadelphia Eagles

Andre Reed, WR --1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

Ken Stabler, QB -- 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints

Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner -- 1989-2006 National Football League

Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR -- 1985-1986 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills

Derrick Thomas, LB -- 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

Andre Tippett, LB -- 1982-1993 New England Patriots

George Young, GM/Administrator -- 1968-1974 Baltimore Colts, 1975-78 Miami Dolphins, 1979-1997 New York Giants, 1998-2001 National Football League

Gary Zimmerman, T -- 1986-1992 Minnesota Vikings, 1993-97 Denver Broncos