James Harrison, Darrelle Revis, NaVorro Bowman 1st-time eligibles for Hall of Fame voting

Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison, former Pitt star Darrelle Revis and former Penn State linebacker NaVorro Bowman are among nine first-time nominees on the modern-era ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

Harrison played 14 seasons for the Steelers and holds the franchise career sacks record with 80½. A five-time Pro Bowler who twice was a first-team All-Pro, Harrison was part of two Super Bowl championship Steelers teams and another that was AFC champion. He was the AP NFL defensive player of the year for the 2008 season.

Revis, a star at Aliquippa High School and Pitt, was widely regarded as the best cornerback in the NFL for a significant portion of his career, which ran from 2007-17 and is most associated with the New York Jets.

Bowman became a four-time first-team All-Pro over his eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (he also played 10 games for the then-Oakland Raiders).

Other former players who are on the ballot for the first time are running back Chris Johnson, offensive linemen Jahri Evans and Joe Thomas, defensive lineman Dwight Freeney, defensive back Kam Chancellor and punter Shane Lechler.

The list of 129 nominees includes 120 who previously appeared on a ballot, including five Steelers: wide receiver Hines Ward, defensive tackle Casey Hampton, linebacker James Farrior, linebacker Chad Brown and kicker Gary Anderson. (Kick returner Allen Rossum, who spent one of his 12 NFL seasons with the Steelers, also is a nominee).

Another former player of note on the ballot with local ties is Pat McAfee. A popular media personality, McAfee was a star kicker and punter for Plum High School, West Virginia and the Indianapolis Colts.

The list of nominees from the modern era will be reduced to 25 semifinalists in November and then to 15 finalists in January.

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