Hickerson, Sanders get Hall of Fame nods

CANTON, Ohio, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Guard Gene Hickerson and tight end Charlie Sanders have been chosen by the Seniors Committee as finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2007 class.

Hickerson, a guard and six-time Pro Bowl choice, was a member of the offensive line of the Cleveland Browns from 1958-1960 and 1962-1973. That line was responsible for protecting quarterback Frank Ryan and the rushing yards of running backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly.

He helped Cleveland win six division titles and was selected to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1960s.

The 6-foot-4 inch Sanders spent his entire 10-year career with Detroit after he was a third-round pick out of Minnesota in 1968. He caught 30 or more passes in a year seven times, was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, and is the Lions all-time leader in receptions with 336 catches for 4,817 yards and 31 touchdowns.