Former Bear Dan Hampton, who split his career at two positions, hopes to become the 12th defensive tackle, and the first for the Bears, to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
He would join Buck Buchanan, Art Donovan, Joe Greene, Henry Jordan, Bob Lilly, Leo Nomellini, Merlin Olsen, Alan Page, Ernie Stautner, Arnie Weinmeister and Randy White.
Hampton, who also played defensive end, could become the 26th member of the Bears to be inducted. He played his entire 12-year career (1979-90) with the Bears and was named to the Pro Bowl six times.
The 15-man list of finalists who will be considered for election to the 2001 Class includes 12 former players, two coaches and a team owner.
Three finalists, wide receiver Art Monk, offensive tackle Jackie Slater and coach Bill Parcells are first-year eligible finalists. Joining the three first-year nominees are eleven other modern-era candidates and the recommended candidate of the Hall of Fame’s seniors committee.
The other modern-era finalists are Harry Carson, Dave Casper, Lester Hayes, Marv Levy, Mike Munchak, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, Ralph Wilson Jr., Ron Yary and Jack Youngblood. The 14 modern-era finalists join seniors nominee Nick Buoniconti to form the list of 15 finalists.
Swann and Youngblood advanced to the final six last year, the farthest one can advance without being elected.
The modern-era finalists were determined by a vote of the Hall’s 38-member board of selectors that meets in Tampa on Saturday to elect the Hall of Fame class.
