Is the sixth time the charm for Charles Haley?
The former San Francisco 49ers pass-rush master was named one of 15 modern-era finalists – as he has been every year since 2010 – for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Running back Roger Craig, Haley's 49ers teammate from 1986 to 1990, didn't receive enough votes to graduate from one of 26 semifinalists when the Hall revealed their class of 18 on Thursday night.
The pass-rush master spent eight of his 13 NFL seasons terrorizing opposing quarterbacks for the San Francisco 49ers.
Haley spent eight of his 13 NFL seasons in San Francisco, winning three of his five Super Bowl rings here. He is one of a handful of stars to have played for both the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he won the other two.
Mostly used as a defensive end during his career, Haley racked up 100.5 sacks. He recorded a career-high 16 for the 49ers in 1990; signed with the Cowboys in '92; and crossed the century mark with three sacks for the 49ers in his final year of football in '99.
To finally go from finalist to Hall of Famer, Haley will need to secure 80 percent of the vote when 46 "elite selectors" fill out their ballots in Phoenix, Ariz. on Jan. 31.
Antother ex-49ers pass rusher, Kevin Greene, made the final cut. Greene spent the 1997 season in San Francisco. He totaled 10.5 sacks for a 13-3 49ers team that season.
Here is how NFL teams reacted to their alumni being named finalists:
SUGGESTED: ________
