CANTON, Ohio, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The Pro Football Hall of Fame Monday put 15 finalists on its list for 2003.
Among the 15 is Marcus Allen, the first player in NFL history to rush for 10,000-plus yards and catch passes for 5,000 more. He is one of two first-time eligibles among the 15.
Seven previous finalists -- wide receivers Art Monk and James Lofton, quarterback Ken Stabler, guard Bob Kuechenberg, linebacker Harry Carson, cornerback Lester Hayes, and Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson -- qualified as finalists again this year.
Linebacker Randy Gradishar and former general manager George Young are among six that had been eligible for Hall of Fame election prior to this year but had not been finalists. The others are defensive ends Elvin Bethea and Claude Humphrey, guard Joe DeLamielleure, and coach Hank Stram, the recommended nominee of the Hall's Seniors Committee.
Tackle Gary Zimmerman joins Allen as the only first-time eligibles under consideration.
The modern era finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall's 39-member Board of Selectors. The Class of 2003 will be announced on Jan. 25, the day before Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego. A minimum of 80 percent of the voting is required for election.
Enshrinement of the Class of 2003 will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton on Sunday, Aug. 3.
Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler, rushed for 12,243 yards, added 5,411 yards in receptions, and totaled 145 touchdowns in 16 years with the Los Angeles Raiders (1982-92) and Kansas City Chiefs (1993-97). He rushed for a career-high 1,759 yards in 1985 and was named the MVP of Super Bowl XVIII, rushing for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders' 38-9 rout of Washington.
Monk played 14 of his 16 seasons with the Washington Redskins, and ranks fifth all time with 940 receptions.
Lofton is third all time with 14,004 receiving yards on 764 receptions.
Stabler, a four-time Pro Bowler, played 10 of his 15 seasons with the Raiders. At the time of his retirement in 1984, his 59.9 career pass completion percentage was second to Hall of Famer Joe Montana.
Stram led Kansas City to a Super Bowl title, one other Super Bowl appearance, and three AFL championships.
