Three former Pittsburgh Steelers players have advanced to the next stage of voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s modern-era candidates.
Surviving the reduction from 167 to 50 players is wide receiver Hines Ward, outside linebacker James Harrison and kicker Gary Anderson. Former Penn State guard Steve Wisniewski and former Pitt guard Ruben Brown also are among the 50.
The group was picked by a modern-era screening committee and will be turned over to the Hall of Fame’s full selection committee membership to reduce the number to 25 semifinalists. The semifinalists will be announced in November, and 15 finalists will be presented at the selection committee’s annual meeting prior to Super Bowl LIX.
Ward, Harrison and Anderson never have been chosen as finalists. Ward was the MVP of Super Bowl XL. Harrison had a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII. Anderson is the Steelers’ career scoring leader.
