NFL

Strahan, Tuna make the short list for Hall

The Pro Football Hall of Fame could have a distinctly blue-tinged look this summer if Michael Strahan and Bill Parcells are enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Strahan is one of four first-year nominees to make the cut of 15 modern-era finalists to be considered for election into the Hall.

Parcells, who coached the Giants, Jets, Patriots and Cowboys, was first considered for election last year. The final results will be announced on Feb. 2 in New Orleans, site of Super Bowl XLVII.

Strahan spent his entire 15-year NFL career (1993-2007) with the Giants and amassed 141.5 sacks, good for fifth on the all-time list. The defensive end’s 22.5 sacks in 2001 is an NFL single-season record. Parcells gained his two Super Bowl victories with the Giants.

Strahan is one of four players in their first year of nomination, joining offensive linemen Larry Allen and Jonathan Ogden and defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Joining those four and Parcells are eight other modern-era players and two contributors. Those 15 and two senior nominees will be the only candidates considered for the Hall of Fame. To be elected, a finalist must receive at least 80 percent positive votes.

The 15 modern-era finalists were chosen by the Hall’s Selection Committee from a list of 127 nominees that earlier was reduced to a list of 27 semifinalists. Former Chiefs and Oilers defensive tackle Curley Culp and former Packers and Redskins linebacker Dave Robinson were selected as senior candidates by the Seniors Committee.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s 17 finalists for 2013:

Allen, Jerome Bettis (RB), Tim Brown (WR), Cris Carter (WR), Culp, Edward DeBartolo Jr. (owner), Kevin Greene (LB), Charles Haley (DE), Art Modell (owner), Ogden, Parcells, Andre Reed (WR), Robinson, Sapp, Will Shields (G), Strahan and Aeneas Williams (CB).