Ex-Steelers lineman Alan Faneca a finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

For the fourth consecutive year, former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Alan Faneca is a finalist for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The six-time All-Pro guard was announced Thursday as one of the 15 finalists for the Hall’s Class of 2019. First-time eligibles Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed and Champ Bailey headlined the group.

Others in the Feb. 2 balloting are Steve Atwater, Tony Boselli, Isaac Bruce, Don Coryell, Tom Flores, Steve Hutchinson, Edgerrin James, Ty Law, John Lynch, Kevin Mawae, and Richard Seymour. Although previously eligible, Flores, who coached two Raiders teams to Super Bowl titles, and longtime defensive lineman Seymour are finalists for the first time.

Also being considered for induction are senior committee nominee Johnny Robinson, a star safety for Dallas/Kansas City from 1960-71, and contributors finalists Gil Brandt, former personnel director for the Cowboys and now the NFL’s top draft consultant, and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen.

A maximum of eight new members can be elected, five from the modern-era group. Inductions are Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio.

Gonzalez played 17 seasons with the Chiefs and Falcons but never made a Super Bowl. No matter. He holds the career receptions record for tight ends with 1,325, second only overall to Jerry Rice, and gained more 15,127 yards while scoring 111 touchdowns. His string of 211 straight games with a catch lasted from 2000-13.

Reed spent 12 seasons with the Ravens, Texans and Jets, winning a Super Bowl 2012. He’s one of two players to lead the NFL in interceptions three times (2-4, 2008, 2010) and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004.

Bailey played 15 seasons with Washington and Denver and was a three-time All-Pro. Considered one of the game’s best cover cornerbacks, he had a career-high 10 interceptions in 2006.

Lynch, a standout safety for Tampa Bay and Denver, becomes a finalist for the sixth straight year. Coryell, who coached the high-powered offenses of the Cardinals and Chargers in the 1970s and ’80s, is a five-time finalist.

Law, an Aliquippa graduate, played 15 seasons for the Patriots, Jets, Chiefs and Broncos. He accumulated 53 career interceptions, returning seven for touchdowns, and famously intercepted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning three times in the 2003 AFC championship game.