NFL HOF Class of 2010 (5:20) ET

[Dpantherman]

the announcement will come in about 20 min.

UPDATE:

Class of 2010 finalists trimmed to seven

Posted: February 6th, 2010 | Frank Tadych |

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Jerry Rice, and Emmitt Smith are the five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010. They are joined by seniors committee finalists Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little. A final, secret ballot is taken that will determine how many of those seven are elected. The class will have a minimum of four.

The NFL Network will have live coverage of the announcement at 5 p.m. ET and NFL.com will stream the announcement beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The final list was paired down from a group of 15 modern-era nominees by the 44-member Hall of Fame selection committee that met this morning at the Super Bowl XLIV media center. Each finalist had to receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Rice and Smith, widely considered almost automatic entrants, were both eligible for the first time. Rice, who holds every major receiving record, was chosen first-team All-Pro 10 times, and was a 13-time Pro Bowler during 20 NFL seasons. Smith was a four-time first-team All-Pro and voted to eight Pro Bowls during a 13-year career that he finished as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little were this year’s senior candidate finalists, selected by the Hall’s seniors committee in August 2009.

– Frank Tadych, NFL.com

live news conference: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hall-of-fame/09000d5d8162e68e

Final UPDATE:

Class of 2010 (im watching now): Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little, John Randle, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith

Notes: Saints will now have a HOFer (Rickey Jackson). Dick LeBeau got in as a player

[Boltergeist]

I'd say Rice, Smith, Carter, Coryell, Sharpe, LeBeau

[Dpantherman]

Rice and Emmitt are locks. from what I hear the rest is a crap shoot. Carter should get in, Id like to see Sharpe. LeBeau should have already be in.

[Boltergeist]

wow, Randle, Jackson, Grimm as finalists.

[Dpantherman]

this means Cris Carter and Shannon Sharpe will have to wait yet another year. And next year the line gets longer. the first ballot includes Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders. Jerome Bettis is on, but i think he'll have to wait

[Boltergeist]

Sharpe got to the 10 list .... Andre Reed over Carter was kind of a surprise.

[Dpantherman]

@ProFootballTalk:

Nola.com reports that the five new members are Emmitt, Rice, Randle, Jackson, and Grimm.

[Boltergeist]

All finalists and Seniors guys Little and LeBeau in.

But a big lol for the guy announcing Rickey Jackson as Randy.

[Dpantherman]

All finalists and Seniors guys Little and LeBeau in.

But a big lol for the guy announcing Rickey Jackson as Randy.

yea I typed Randy at first and had to go back in and change it.

[Boltergeist]

yea I typed Randy at first and had to go back in and change it.

Let me be the first to say it, his acceptance speech was a little pitchy.

[Dpantherman]

this format is really great. getting to talk to the guys. Seeing JR choked up like this is really priceless. without question on of the greatest Football Players of all time

[Tank]

Great for Rickey Jackson. He was a beast for many season. When you have the likes of Montana and Young singing your praised that carries clout. Good for him.

Great class all around.