Alan Faneca, Hines Ward represent Steelers again as Hall of Fame semifinalists

Former Pittsburgh Steelers guard Alan Faneca and wide receiver Hines Ward have again made the cut from 130 preliminary candidates to the group of 25 semifinalists eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Faneca is a semifinalist for the sixth time. Ward has made it to the second step of the Hall of Fame selection process for the fifth time. Faneca has been a finalist the past five years. Ward still is seeking his first crack as a finalist.

The group of 25 will be whittled to 15 finalists in January. The 15 finalists will join three men selected from the coach, contributor and senior committees: Tom Flores, late Steelers scout Bill Nunn and Drew Pearson, respectively.

Faneca was a first-team All-Pro selection six times in his career and was named to the Pro Bowl squad nine times. Ward was a four-time Pro Bowl pick and is the Steelers’ all-time leader with 1,000 receptions.

The 25 semifinalists include four players selected in their first year of eligibility, including quarterback Peyton Manning. The others are defensive back Charles Woodson, defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Players who previously were on the ballot and are first-time semifinalists are Eric Allen, Willie Anderson, Cornelius Bennett and Rodney Harrison.

The other semifinalists are Ronde Barber, Tony Boselli, LeRoy Butler, Torry Holt, John Lynch, Clay Matthews, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Steve Tasker, Fred Taylor, Zach Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis, Darren Woodson and Bryant Young.