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The finalists have been named for the 2012 NFL Hall Of Fame inductions and Arizona Cardinals fans will be well-acquainted with one of them: All-Pro cornerback and safety Aeneas Williams. He spent nine years with the organization, playing coverage from 1991 to 2000. Williams also spent four years with the St. Louis Rams. Here is a complete list of the finalists:
Jerome Bettis - Running Back - 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 1996-2005 Pittsburgh Steelers
Tim Brown - Wide Receiver/Kick Returner - 1988-2003 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jack Butler* - Cornerback - 1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers
Cris Carter - Wide Receiver - 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins
Dermontti Dawson - Center - 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Edward DeBartolo, Jr. - Owner - 1977-2000 San Francisco 49ers
Chris Doleman - Defensive End/Linebacker - 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers
Kevin Greene - Linebacker/Defensive End - 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers
Charles Haley - Defensive End/Linebacker - 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys
Cortez Kennedy - Defensive Tackle - 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks
Curtis Martin - Running Back - 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets
Bill Parcells - Coach - 1983-1990 New York Giants, 1993-96 New England Patriots, 1997-99 New York Jets, 2003-06 Dallas Cowboys
Andre Reed - Wide Receiver - 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 WashingtonRedskins
Willie Roaf - Tackle - 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs
Will Shields - Guard - 1993-2006 Kansas City Chiefs
Dick Stanfel* - Guard - 1952-55 Detroit Lions, 1956-58 Washington Redskins
Aeneas Williams - Cornerback/Safety - 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams
Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 1991, Williams quickly established himself with an exceptional rookie season, tying the NFL lead for interceptions. As of 1997, he had four Pro Bowl appearances and routinely covered the opposing team's lead receivers. In the 1998 season, Williams helped the Cardinals win their first playoff game since 1947 by intercepting two passes from Troy Aikman in a 20-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Williams may most be remembered for his hit on Steve Young that essentially ended the Hall Of Fame Quarterback's career. In a Monday Night Football tilt, Williams delivered a clean, hard hit on Young that caused him to miss the remainder of the season and retire once the year was over.
A big congratulations to all of the nominees. The Selection Committee will meet in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, February 4, 2012, to elect the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The election results will be announced at 5:30 p.m. ET during a one-hour NFL Network special, live from the Super Bowl Media Center. The Class of 2012 will be the 50th class to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.