Darren Woodson heads Dallas Cowboys group nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Safety Darren Woodson and cornerback Everson Walls are among several former Dallas Cowboys on the list of modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
Joining Woodson and Walls are coach Jimmy Johnson, offensive lineman Nate Newton, running back Daryl Johnston, running back/kick returner Herschel Walker, wide receiver Terrell Owens, and tight end Joe Novacek.
Woodson will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor on Nov. 1 during halftime of the Cowboys-Seattle game.
Owens is a first-time Hall of Fame eligible nominee.
Johnson was a Hall of Fame finalist last year.
Former Cowboys running back and longtime NFL head coach Dan Reeves is also nominated. Reeves is nominated as a coach.
The notable nominees from the first-time eligible list include quarterback Brett Favre, guard Alan Faneca and safety Lawyer Milloy.
The modern-era nominees will be trimmed to 25 semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 finalists in January.
The finalists will consist of 15 modern-era finalists, senior candidates Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel, and 2016 contributor candidate Edward DeBartolo Jr.
The selection committee will meet Saturday, February 6, 2016, in San Francisco to elect the Class of 2016. While there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the selection process by-laws provide that between four and eight new members will be selected.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 will be formally enshrined on Saturday, August 6, 2016.
2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame modern-day nominees
Quarterbacks
Drew Bledsoe, BRETT FAVRE, Steve McNair, Phil Simms, Vinny Testaverde, *Kurt Warner
Running backs
Shaun Alexander, Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, Roger Craig, Stephen Davis, *Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James, Daryl Johnston, Jamal Lewis, CLINTON PORTIS, Herschel Walker (also KR), Ricky Watters, BRIAN WESTBROOK
Wide receivers
Isaac Bruce, Gary Clark, Henry Ellard (also PR), *Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, TERRELL OWENS, Sterling Sharpe, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith
Tight ends
Mark Bavaro, Jay Novacek
Offensive linemen
Tony Boselli (T), Jeff Bostic (C), Jim Covert (T), ALAN FANECA (G), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T), Jon Jansen (T), Mike Kenn (T), Jim Lachey (T), Kevin Mawae (C/G), Mark May (G/T/C), Tom Nalen (C), Nate Newton (G), *Orlando Pace (T), Chris Samuels (T), Mark Schlereth (G), Steve Wisniewski (G)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6)
Dexter Manley (DE), Charles Mann (DE), Leslie O’Neal (DE), Simeon Rice (DE), Fred Smerlas (NT), Bryant Young (DT)
Linebackers
Cornelius Bennett, Tedy Bruschi, KEITH BULLUCK, *Kevin Greene (also DE), Ken Harvey, Levon Kirkland, Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE), Karl Mecklenburg, Matt Millen, Sam Mills, Zach Thomas, MIKE VRABEL
Defensive backs
Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Rodney Harrison (S), Ty Law (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), *John Lynch (S), LAWYER MILLOY (SS), DARREN SHARPER (FS), Shawn Springs (CB), Troy Vincent (CB/S), Everson Walls (CB), Darren Woodson (S)
Kickers/Punters
*Morten Andersen (K), Gary Anderson (K), JOHN CARNEY (K), Jason Elam (K), Sean Landeta (P), Nick Lowery (K)
Special teams/position players
ETHAN ALBRIGHT (LS), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Steve Tasker (also WR)
Coaches
*Don Coryell, Bill Cowher, *Tony Dungy, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, *Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Richie Petitbon, Dan Reeves, Pete Rodriguez, Lou Saban, Marty Schottenheimer, Clark Shaughnessy, Dick Vermeil
*Finalist in 2015
Note: Caps undelined indicate first year of eligibility
This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Darren Woodson heads Dallas Cowboys group nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame."