Posted: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 11:45 pm | Updated: 8:00 pm, Wed Feb 1, 2012.
By Mike Bires Times Sports Staff | 0 comments
This summer, the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies will have a black and gold touch to them. But don't look for Jerome Bettis to be part of the festivities.
Of the 17 finalists for the Class of 2012, three are former Steelers. It's hard to imagine that at least one won't get in.
There's Bettis, the burly, bruising running back.
There's Dermontti Dawson, who followed Mike Webster and continued the tradition of excellent center play.
There's Jack Butler, a cornerback from the 1950s.
Some day, all three will be immortalized in the hallowed halls of Canton. But this year, there's no way all three can get in. The list of 17 finalists -- 15 modern-day nominees and two senior nominees -- is too strong.
That's why Bettis will probably have to wait until next year.
On Saturday when the Hall of Fame voters cast their final ballots, the running back who deserves to get in this year is Curtis Martin.
A former Pitt star, Martin was a little more productive than Bettis. Martin has the edge -- albeit a slight edge -- with more 1,000-yard seasons, more 100-yard games, more career touchdown and more career yards. On the NFL's all-time rushing chart, Martin (14,101) ranks fourth and Bettis (13,662) sixth.
Of the 15 modern-day finalists, Dawson is one of three offensive linemen. Tackles Will Shields and Willie Roaf are the others, and convincing arguments can be made for both. However, Dawson was the best center of his generation and was named first-team All-Pro six straight years (1993-98). He was the center of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s. Bill Cowher once said Dawson was the most athletic center to ever play that position.
This could be the year Dawson finally gets the Hall call.
Likewise for Butler, who was one of the best cornerbacks of his era. He and Dick Sanfel, a guard who played on three teams in the 1950s, are the two senior nominees. Both can get in. Both can be bypassed. But it's hard to imagine the voters leaving out Butle[/hr]
