Steeler Nation was in full force in Canton last month with Troy Polamalu, Bill Cowher, Allen Faneca, Donnie Shell and Bill Nunn all being enshrined in the 2020 and 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame and there is an opportunity for five more to be in the 2022 class.
Kicker Gary Anderson, nose tackle Casey Hampton, Tight End Health Miller, wide receiver Hines Ward and linebacker Hardy Nickerson are among the 122 modern-era names.
Anderson spent 23 seasons in the NFL, spending 12 of those in Pittsburgh (1982-1994) and is a four-time Pro Bowler.
Five-time Pro Bowler Hampton was the Steelers first round pick in 2001 and spent 12 seasons with Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowl Championships.
Miller, a two-time Pro Bowler, was the Steelers first round pick in the 2005 draft and also is a two-time Super Bowl Champ. It's Miller's second year of eligibility.
Ward is a three-time Pro Bowler and is also a two-time Super Bowl Champion, being voted the Super Bowl XL MVP. Ward was Faneca's presenter this past August in Canton, after once again not being voted in for the fifth year in a row.
Nickerson played 16 seasons in the NFL, spending his first six seasons in Pittsburgh, starting his career with the Steelers in 1992. He made the Pro Bowl five times during his career.
15 finalists along with Senior Finalist Cliff Branch, Contributed Finalist Art McNally and Coach Finalist Dick Vermeil will be presented to the 49-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee early next year.
Those 15 players will then be reduced to five and those selected to the 2022 class will be announced over Super Bowl weekend.
