Terrell Davis, John Lynch and Steve Atwater are one step closer to Canton.
The trio of former Broncos are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016.
With one more “yay” from the Hall of Fame’s 46-person selection committee, they could join the group of four former Broncos already in the hall: former quarterback and current general manager John Elway (class of 2004), offensive lineman Gary Zimmerman (2008), running back Floyd Little (2010) and tight end Shannon Sharpe (2011).
Davis, the Broncos’ all-time leading rusher with 7,607 yards and 60 touchdowns, had been selected as a finalist once and a semifinalist nine times before. But with each, he watched others get into the hall ahead of him.
“I just wait. I look at it. I watch it closely, more than I did before,” Davis said in August during a Broncos training camp practice. “I never looked at it before, but now I do. I look at it. It’s hard to worry about it because I just can’t do anything. The work is done. The hay is in the barn, as they say. I just have to wait patiently and hope that they find me worthy to enshrine me.”
In his seven seasons as a Bronco, from 1995-01, Davis, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, earned two Super Bowl titles and averaged 101.7 rushing yards per game (including postseason) that ranks second to only Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.
WATCH:
Atwater, drafted by the Broncos in the first round (No. 20) in 1989, spent the first 10 of his 11 NFL seasons in Denver and was voted to a franchise record-tying seven straight Pro Bowls, from 1990-96.
In 167 games, Atwater, a first-time finalist, totaled 1,356 tackles (854 solo), 24 interceptions and five sacks, and played in three Super Bowls and four conference championship games. After helping the Broncos to Super Bowl titles in 1997 and ’98, Atwater finished his career with the New York Jets, in 1999.
Congrats to 3 great Broncos- , Steve Atwater & John Lynch-on being finalists! All deserving of this honor!!
— John Elway (@johnelway)
Lynch, a three-time finalist, played the final four (2004-07) of his 15 NFL seasons with the Broncos after spending the first 11 with the Buccaneers. In 224 career games, he amassed 1,227 tackles (789 solo), 13 sacks, 26 interceptions, 100 pass breakups, 16 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
A Pro Bowl selection in each season as a Bronco, Lynch also was the 2006 Bart Starr Award winner and Byron “Whizzer” White Award winner for his off-the-field contributions.
The 12 other Hall of Fame finalists: quarterbacks Brett Favre and Kurt Warner; wide receivers Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison; offensive linemen Joe Jacoby, Orlando Pace and Alan Faneca; running back Edgerrin James; linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene; kicker Morten Andersen; and coaches Don Coryell and Tony Dungy
The original group of 108 nominees was trimmed to 25 semifinalists — 22 players, three coaches — in late November. The final selections will be made Feb. 6, the day before Super Bowl 50, and join senior nominees Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel as the newest members of the hall.
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or @NickiJhabvala
Hall of Fame finalists
Morten Andersen, kicker
Steve Atwater, safety
Don Coryell, coach
Terrell Davis, running back
Tony Dungy, coach
x-Alan Faneca, guard
x-Brett Favre, quarterback
Kevin Greene, linebacker/def. end
Marvin Harrison, wide receiver
Joe Jacoby, offensive tackle
Edgerrin James, running back
John Lynch, safety
x-Terrell Owens, wide receiver
Orlando Pace, offensive tackle
Kurt Warner, quarterback
Seniors
Ken Stabler, quarterback
Dick Stanfel, guard
Contributor
Edward DeBartolo Jr., owner
x-first year eligible
