Selection day process for Pro Football Hall of Fame is meticulous

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, former TCU great LaDainian Tomlinson and former Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

Saturday is selection day in Houston, one day before Super Bowl LI.

The Class of 2017 will be introduced for the first time as a group during “NFL Honors,” a two-hour prime-time awards special to be broadcast from 7-9 p.m. on FOX.

Bylaws stipulate that the class can have no fewer than four and no more than eight members with a maximum of five modern-era members. It marks the end of a year-round, and sometimes intense, process.

Each finalist is discussed by the 48-member selection committee before a series of reduction votes are taken.

First, the senior candidate and contributor candidates are discussed and voted on for election. They must receive the same 80 percent affirmative vote as the modern-era candidates.

The lone senior candidate is former Seattle safety Kenny Easley, who played with the Seahawks from 1981-87.

The contributor candidates are Jones and Paul Tagliabue, former commissioner of the NFL from 1989-2006.

Jones is a finalist for the first time. Tagliabue is a finalist for the fourth time.

Next, there is a vote that reduces the modern-era finalists list from 15 to 10. Following that, a vote is taken to reduce the list from 10 to 5 names. The five remaining candidates for Hall of Fame election are then voted on individually (yes or no) for membership.

In order to be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum of 80 percent of the vote.

The Class of 2017 will be formally enshrined on Saturday, August 5, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Here’s a look at the 15 modern-day finalists:

Tomlinson, running back (San Diego Chargers, 2001-09; New York Jets, 2010-11)

Owens, wide receiver (San Francisco 49ers, 1996-2003; Philadelphia Eagles, 2004-05; Dallas Cowboys, 2006-08; Buffalo Bills, 2009; Cincinnati Bengals, 2010)

Brian Dawkins, safety (Philadelphia Eagles, 1996-2008; Denver Broncos, 2009-2011)

Jason Taylor, defensive end (Miami Dolphins, 1997-2007, '09, 2011; Washington Redskins, 2008; New York Jets, 2010)

Morten Andersen, kicker (New Orleans Saints, 1982-1994; Atlanta Falcons, 1995-2000; 2006-07; New York Giants, 2001; Kansas City Chiefs, 2002-03; Minnesota Vikings, 2004)

Don Coryell, coach (St. Louis Cardinals, 1973-77; San Diego Chargers, 1978-1986)

Kurt Warner, quarterback (St. Louis Rams, 1998-2003; New York Giants, 2004; Arizona Cardinals, 2005-09)

Terrell Davis, running back (Denver Broncos, 1995-2001)

Isaac Bruce, wide receiver (Los Angeles Rams, 1994; St. Louis Rams, 1995-2007; San Francisco 49ers, 2008-09)

Tony Boselli, offensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars, 1995-2001; Houston Texans, 2002)

Alan Faneca, guard (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1998-2007; New York Jets, 2008-09; Arizona Cardinals, 2010)

Joe Jacoby, offensive tackle (Washington Redskins, 1981-1993)

Ty Law, cornerback (New England Patriots, 1995-2004; New York Jets, 2005, '08; Kansas City Chiefs, 2006-07; Denver Broncos, 2009)

John Lynch, safety (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1993-2003; Denver Broncos, 2004-07)

Kevin Mawae, center (Seattle Seahawks, 1994-97; New York Jets, 1998-2005; Tennessee Titans, 2006-09)

This story was originally published February 2, 2017 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Selection day process for Pro Football Hall of Fame is meticulous."