Ray Lewis of Lakeland is among four first-time eligible former players selected among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2018.
Receiver Randy Moss, linebacker Brian Urlacher and guard Steve Hutchinson also made the cut to the finals as first-year eligibles.
They join center Kevin Mawae, tackles Joe Jacoby and Tony Boselli, receivers Isaac Bruce and Terrell Owens, safeties John Lynch (Tampa Bay, 1993-2003) and Brian Dawkins, guard Alan Faneca, running back Edgerrin James, cornerbacks Ty Law and Everson Walls for consideration.
The seniors committee has nominated guard Jerry Kramer and linebacker Robert Brazile. The contributor's nominee is Bobby Beathard, a former general manager and administrator for five franchises. The finalists were announced Tuesday.
Lewis, a graduate of Kathleen High School, is widely expected to be a first-ballot inductee. The linebacker played for the Baltimore Ravens from 1996 through 2012.
To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent during the annual selection meeting.
Lewis would become the Ravens’ second Hall of Famer, following left tackle Jonathan Ogden. Ogden was drafted the same year and round as Lewis when the Ravens were first born in 1996, yet went into Canton just before Lewis’ final season ended with Super Bowl XLVII glory five years ago. Lewis was one of the game’s greatest, most feared and widely respected defensive players during his 17 NFL seasons, which were all played in Baltimore.
His resume includes two Super Bowl titles, including one Super Bowl MVP in 2000 when he led arguably the greatest defense of all-time. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2000, 2003), 13-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro.
More than just his stats and accolades, Lewis was a passionate, hard-working leader who entertained and inspired millions of fans throughout his career. He was and has remained an active member of the Baltimore community trying to help people in need.
Voting by the Hall of Fame selectors will be Feb. 3 in Minneapolis. Inductions will be in August at the Canton, Ohio, shrine.
The modern-era finalists were determined by a vote of the selection committee from a list of 108 nominees that was earlier reduced to 27 semifinalists during a year-long process.
Kramer was a mainstay of the great Green Bay offensive lines from 1948-68 and is famous for his block that led Bart Starr into the end zone for the winning touchdown in the Ice Bowl 50 years ago. Brazile was an outstanding linebacker with the Houston Oilers from 1975-84.
Beathard helped build championship winners and contenders in Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Washington and San Diego from 1966-1999.
This is the second year as a finalist for Bruce, Boselli, Dawkins, James, Law and Mawae. In their third try are Faneca, Jacoby and Owens. Lynch is in his fifth year as a finalist. Walls made the final round for the first time in his 20th year of eligibility. Jacoby is also in his 20th year.
Ledger correspondent John Valerino contributed to this report.