CANTON, Ohio — Brett Favre is one step away from entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
CANTON, Ohio — Brett Favre is one step away from entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The quarterback who left the NFL after the 2010 season as the leader in most career passing categories, is among three first-time eligibles to make the list of 15 finalists. Receiver Terrell Owens and guard Alan Faneca, also in their initial year of eligibility, made the cut.
The class of 2016 will be decided on Feb. 6, the day before the Super Bowl, with inductions scheduled for August.
Also making the cut to 15 are Morten Andersen, Steve Atwater, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Tony Dungy, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Joe Jacoby, Edgerrin James, John Lynch, Orlando Pace and Kurt Warner.
Two senior finalists — players whose careers ended more than 25 years ago — were announced last August: Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel.
A contributor finalist announced in September was Edward DeBartolo Jr., owner of the San Francisco 49ers from 1977-2000.
To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum of 80 percent of the votes cast by the selection panel. A maximum of eight inductees are allowed per year.
The ultimate gun-slinging quarterback, Favre led the Packers to the 1996 NFL championship and was a three-time league MVP. He retired as the NFL’s leading passer with 6,300 completions, 10,169 attempts, 71,838 yards and 508 touchdowns.
Owens played for five teams in his 16 pro seasons, making the Super Bowl with the 2004 Eagles. He ranks second in yards receiving (15,934), third in touchdown receptions (153) and set a then-record for catches in a single game with 20 against the Bears in 2000.
Faneca was one of the NFL’s best blockers for 13 seasons and 206 games, making the All-Decade Team of the 2000s. A six-time All-Pro, he anchored the offensive lines of the Steelers, Jets and Cardinals, winning one Super Bowl.