Hall of Fame: Capsules on the 17 finalists

The announcement of who will comprise the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will come at 5:30 p.m. ET on the NFL Network. The selection committee's 17 finalists (15 modern-era and two senior nominees) with their positions, teams, and years active follow in alphabetical order (*=Senior candidate):

--Larry Allen, Guard/Tackle: 1994-2005 Dallas Cowboys; 2006-07, San Francisco 49ers.

In Allen's 14 seasons, he played 203 games, was named first-team All-Pro seven straight years, first-team All-NFC six times. The second-round pick in 1994 moved to tackle late in 1997 and entire 1998 season, and earned All-Pro honors at position. He played every position on offensive line except center during 12 seasons with Dallas before signing with the 49ers as a free agent in 1996. Allen was elected to 11 Pro Bowls and named to NFL All-Decade Teams of 1990s and 2000s.

--Jerome Bettis, Running Back: 1993-95 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams; 1996-2005, Pittsburgh Steelers

A Detroit native who retired after winning a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in his hometown, Bettis played the running back position with power but was surprising light-footed for a 252-pounder. He held up for 13 seasons and, at time of retirement, his eight 1,000-plus yard seasons was tied for third-best in NFL history and his 13,662 ranked fifth all-time in career rushing yards. Bettis ranked 19th all-time in combined net yards at time of retirement. A six-time Pro Bowler, he was an All-Pro in 1993 (AP, PFWA), 1996 (AP); All-Pro Second Team 1997. A first-round pick out of Notre Dame, Bettis led the Los Angeles Rams in rushing in each of his first three seasons (1993-95) and became the Steelers leading rusher from 1996-2001, 2003-04. He's first in Steelers' history with 50 games of 100-plus rushing yards.

--Tim Brown, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner/Punt Returner: 1988-2003, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders; 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame, Brown was selected by the Raiders in the first round (sixth overall) of 1988 draft. As a rookie, Brown led the NFL in kickoff returns, return yards, and yards per return average. He led the NFL in receptions in 1997 and set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards. When Brown retired, his 14,934 receiving yards were second-highest total in NFL history; 1,094 receptions were 3rd; and 100 touchdown catches were tied for 3rd. His total of 19,682 combined net yards was fifth all-time at time of retirement. Brown scored 105 total touchdowns (100 receiving, 1 rushing, 3 punt returns, 1 kickoff return). He was voted to Pro Bowl nine times, 1989 and 1992 as kick returner, 1994-98, 2000 and 2002 as a receiver.

--Cris Carter, Wide Receiver: 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles; 1990-2001, Minnesota Vikings; 2002, Miami Dolphins

Carter played 234 games and his first career catch, a 22-yard touchdown, was a sign of what was to come. A durable receiver, he played a full 16-game season in 13 of his 16 seasons. In 2000, became only the second player in NFL history to catch 1,000 career passes. Recorded 1,000 receiving yards in a season eight straight years. Carter broke the 100-yard receiving plateau 42 times during his career and was second on the NFL's all-time list for total receptions (1,101) and receiving touchdowns (130) at retirement. His 130 TD receptions came from 13 different passers. Was first- or second-team All-Pro 1994, 1995, and 1999. Selected to play in eight Pro Bowls (1994-2001)

--Curley Culp*, defensive lineman: 1968-1974, Kansas City Chiefs; 1974-1980 Houston Oilers; 1980-81, Detroit Lions

As a 6-2, 265-pound defensive tackle, Culp made six Pro Bowls and was a second-team All-Pro four times. He was drafted by the Broncos, who tried to move him to the offensive side of the ball before trading him to the Chiefs. He was traded to Houston in a blockbuster deal and led the team to back-to-back AFC title games.

--Edward DeBartolo, Jr., owner: 1977-2000, San Francisco 49ers

DeBartolo was a beloved owner who took the franchise to unprecedented winning during tenure after, in 1979, he hired Bill Walsh as team's head coach, drafted quarterback Joe Montana and shaped the organization into a standard-bearer in the league. In 1981, 49ers finished 13-3 to claim NFC Western Division title before a thrilling 26-21 victory over Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. The 49ers averaged 13 wins per season, including playoffs, during a span from 1981 to 1998 (not including strike-shortened 1982 season). During DeBartolo's ownership team claimed 13 division titles, made 16 playoff appearances, advanced to NFC championship game 10 times, and was first franchise ever to win five Super Bowls (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX).

--Kevin Greene, Linebacker/Defensive End: 1985-1992, Los Angeles Rams; 1993-95, Pittsburgh Steelers; 1996, 1998-99, Carolina Panthers; 1997, San Francisco 49ers

In 228 games over 15 seasons, Greene played for the four teams and had double-digit sack totals 10 times. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times (once with the Rams, twice with Steelers and Panthers) and selected first-team All-Pro in 1989 with Rams, 1994 with Pittsburgh and 1996 with Carolina. He twice captured the league sack title -- 1994 and 1996 -- and was a member of NFL's All-Decade Team of 1990s. Greene played in six conference championship games and one Super Bowl. Led team in sacks 11 times and amassed 160 total sacks, third all-time at time of retirement

--Charles Haley, Defensive End/Linebacker: 1986-1991, 1999, San Francisco 49ers; 1992-96, Dallas Cowboys

The only player in NFL history to play on five winning Super Bowl teams (XXIII, XXIV, XXVII, XXVIII, XXX), Haley began his career at linebacker and led 49ers in sacks in each of first six seasons. A fourth-round pick from James Madison, Haley moved to defensive end after a trade took him to Dallas. He added two more double-digit sack seasons (1994, '95) but suffered a serious back injury and was limited to just five games in 1996. Haley retired after undergoing surgery but after a two-year hiatus, signed with 49ers as backup defensive end for two playoff games in 1998. In 1999 he came back for final season, added three sacks to finish career with 100.5. He was twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1994), voted to five Pro Bowls, named All-Pro twice, once as linebacker, once as defensive end and was a member of 10 division championship teams during his 12 seasons.

--Art Modell, Owner: 1961-1995, Cleveland Browns; 1996-2011, Baltimore Ravens

Modell spent 43 seasons of full ownership in the NFL. He purchased the Browns in 1961 for an unprecedented $4 million. By 1964, his club won the NFL championship with a dominating 27-0 victory over Baltimore Colts and played in league championship in 1965, 1968, 1969. Modell served as NFL President from 1967-69 . He was integral in breaking the impasse for realignment after AFL-NFL merger, was influential as chairman of the NFL's Broadcast Committee for 31 years (1962-1993). Modell negotiated major network contracts that set standard for all of professional sports and helped create the "Monday Night Football" series in 1970. Cleveland earned seven playoff berths during 1980s. The Browns advanced to AFC championship game three times in four seasons, 1986-89. Modell relocated the team to Baltimore in1996.

--Jonathan Ogden, Tackle: 1996-2007, Baltimore Ravens

Ogden was named to 11 Pro Bowls and was the leader of offensive line that helped Ravens amass more than 5,000 yards of offense in back-to-back seasons, 1996-97. He was noted as strong pass protector as well as effective run blocker at 6-9, 325 pounds. He started at left tackle in the Ravens' 16-3 win over Oakland Raiders in 2000 AFC Championship Game and 34-7 victory over New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. The NFL Alumni's NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2002, Ogden was named All-Pro in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006

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--Bill Parcells, Coach: 1983-1990, New York Giants; 1993-96, New England Patriots; 1997-99, New York Jets; 2003-06, Dallas Cowboys

The nomadic Parcells reversed the fortunes of four NFL teams in his 19 seasons as head coach. After a 3-12-1 season (1983), he took Giants to playoffs twice and in 1986 led the team to 14-2 record and defeated Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. The Giants won the East in 1989 and in 1990 won a second world championship with a dramatic victory over Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV. He left coaching for two years, returning in 1993 with the New England Patriots. The Patriots were back in the playoffs after two years following the franchise's seven-year absence and two years later won Super Bowl XXXI. In 1997, Parcells took over a 1-15 New York Jets team and led them to 9-7 record in 1997, 12-4 record and AFC championship game in 1998 for the best two-year turnaround of a 1-15 team in NFL history. He coached the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 until 2006. Parcells became first coach to coach four different teams into the playoffs when his 10-6 Cowboys played in the 2003 Wild Card Game. He was NFL Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1994.

--Andre Reed, Wide Receiver: 1985-1999, Buffalo Bills; 2000, Washington Redskins

A fourth-round pick from Kutztown, Reed's 941 career receptions are a Bills' record and 266 more than the No. 2 receiver on the list. His 13,095 career reception yardage, 36 games with 100-plus receiving yards, and 15 catches in a game are also team records. With 951 career receptions, Reed was third all-time in NFL history at the time of his retirement. His 13 seasons, including nine consecutive, with 50-plus receptions was exceeded only by Jerry Rice at time of Reed's retirement. A four-time All-AFC choice and three-time All-NFL second-team, was selected to play in seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-1995). He had 85 catches for 1,229 yards, including five 100-yard games in postseason play.

--Dave Robinson*, linebacker: 1963-1972, Green Bay Packers; 1973-74, Washington Redskins

Signed with Green Bay and quickly built his reputation as a big-play threat on Vince Lombardi's dynasty. Started at left outside linebacker in three straight NFL championship wins in 1965-67. A starting outside linebacker in Packers victories in Super Bowls I and II. He returned from Achilles tendon injury in 1970 to regain form as one of game's finest linebackers. Robinson Intercepted 27 passes which he returned for 449 yards in career. He was first-team All-NFL selection three straight seasons, 1967-69, was elected to three Pro Bowls and named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1960s.

--Warren Sapp, Defensive Tackle: 1995-2003, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 2004-07, Oakland Raiders

Sapp was a defining defensive tackle in the renowned "Tampa Two" defense. He amassed 96.5 career sacks and recorded double-digit sack totals four times. He ad more than one sack in a game 23 times, was the 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, when he registered 12.5 sacks, 54 tackles, three forced fumbles, and recovered two fumbles (1999). Was a first-team All-Pro four times (1999-2002), second-team All-NFL in 1997, 1998.

--Will Shields, Guard: 1993-2006, Kansas City Chiefs

Placed into lineup in first NFL game after starting left guard suffered injury and the next week he moved to right guard. From there, he started every game of his career. Never missed a game during 14-season career and his 224 games played, 223 starts are franchise records. Shields earned 12 straight Pro Bowl selections and was named first-team All-Pro in 1999, 2002, and 2003. Was a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

--Michael Strahan, Defensive End: 1993-2007, New York Giants

Dominant pass rusher from his left defensive end position and also excellent at defending the run. Recorded 141.5 career sacks, had 38 multi-sack games during career and was named first-team All-Pro five times (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005). The seven-time Pro Bowl pick owns the NFL single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks (2001). Also won NFL sack title in 2003 with 18.5 sacks and won two Super Bowls with the Giants. Selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

--Aeneas Williams, Cornerback/Safety - 1991-2000, Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals; 2001-04 St. Louis Rams

Williams played cornerback for 12 years before moving to safety. He earned Pro Bowl nods at both positions, seven times at cornerback and once as safety. He was all-NFC in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2001. Selected to NFL's All-Decade Team 1990s , registered 55 interceptions for 807 yards and had nine pick-sixes -- good for second all-time.

Other than the four first-year eligible nominees, all of the modern-era nominees have been finalists in previous years. Although they have been nominees in previous years, this is the first time the two senior nominees, Culp and Robinson, have been finalists. Culp has been eligible for 27 years, Robinson 34 years.