The other finalists include first-year eligible candidate Will Shields, as well as Jerome Bettis, Joining the 15 modern-era finalists on the ballot for election will be senior nominees Jack Butler and Dick Stanfel.
The Class of 2012, which will consist of between four to seven new members, will be determined at the Selection Committee's annual meeting on Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Indianapolis the day before Super Bowl XLVI.
Parcells has been a finalist before, in 2001 and 2002, when the Hall's bylaws did not require a coach to be retired for five years. He returned to the sideline with Dallas in 2003 and retired again after the 2006 season, necessitating a five-year wait to become eligible again.
In addition to his four-year stint with Dallas, Parcells also guided the New York Giants , New England Patriots and New York Jets during a 19-year career on the sideline. He had his greatest success with the Giants, leading the franchise to Super Bowl titles after the 1986 and 1990 seasons.
Parcells also led New England to the Super Bowl after the 1996 season, then helped turn around a Jets franchise that was 1-15 the year before he arrived and in two years reached the AFC Championship Game. He became the first coach to lead four different teams to the playoffs when the Cowboys reached the postseason in 2003.
Twice voted as the NFL's top coach, Parcells had a regular-season record of 172-130-1 with a postseason mark of 11-8.
Shields never missed a game in a 14-year career as a guard with Kansas City from 1993-2006. The Nebraska product was selected by the Chiefs in the third round of the 1993 draft and appeared in 224 games, all but the first one as a starter. He was a 12-time Bettis, in his second year of eligibility and second year as a finalist, retired after winning the Super Bowl with Pittsburgh following the 2005 season. He played with the Steelers from 1996-2005 after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Rams.
A six-time Pro Bowl choice and the league's top rookie in 1993 after being selected by the Rams with the 10th overall pick, Bettis ranks sixth all-time in career rushing yards with 13,662. He had eight years of 1,000 yards rushing and his 50 games of 100-plus rushing yards ranks first in Steelers history.
Brown, the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner and a star receiver/kick returner with the Raiders and Buccaneers from 1988-2004, is a finalist for the third time in as many years of eligibility. He set Raider franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and punt return yards.
Carter, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection with the Eagles, Vikings and Dolphins from 1987-2002, is a finalist for the fifth straight year. He compiled 13,899 receiving yards and 130 touchdowns over his 16-year career.
Dawson played 13 seasons with the Steelers from 1988-2000 and was a seven-time Pro Bowl choice. He anchored an offensive line that led Pittsburgh to five AFC Central titles and one AFC championship.
DeBartolo purchased the San Francisco 49ers in 1977 and oversaw one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the NFL during his ownership tenure until 2000. The 49ers became the first franchise to win five Super Bowl titles, won 13 division titles and made 16 playoff appearances while posting the best winning percentage in the NFL during the decades of the 1980s and 1990s.
Doleman was an eight-time Pro Bowl choice during 15 years in the NFL with Minnesota, Atlanta and San Francisco. His 150 1/2 sacks were the fourth-most at the time of his retirement in 1999.
Greene was a pass rushing specialist with the Rams, Steelers, Panthers and 49ers from 1985-99. He earned five Pro Bowl nods, captured the league's sack title twice and was voted a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
Haley is the only player in NFL history to play on five Super Bowl title teams during his 12-year career from 1986-99, which included a two-year retirement, with San Francisco and Dallas. The five-time Pro Bowl pick finished with 100 1/2 career sacks.
Kennedy played 11 years with the Seahawks from 1990-2000 and was selected to a team-record eight Pro Bowls. He was the NFL's top defensive player in 1992 for a Seattle team that finished 2-14.
Martin played 11 years with the New England Patriots and New York Jets and retired as the NFL's fourth-leading rusher with 14,101 yards. He ran for 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 years, and failed to reach the mark his last year only because of an injury. The University of Pittsburgh product was a five-time Pro Bowl choice.
Reed was a member of four AFC Championship teams in Buffalo from 1985-99 and spent his final season in Washington. He played in seven straight Pro Bowls and is Buffalo's all-time leader in receptions.
Roaf was an 11-time Pro Bowl pick during his 13 seasons with New Orleans and Kansas City. He was selected by the Saints with the eighth overall choice of the 1993 draft and spent nine years with New Orleans, earning a spot on the 1990s All-Decade Team.
Williams starred in the defensive backfield for the Cardinals and Rams from 1991-2004. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he registered 55 career interceptions and his nine pickoff returns for touchdowns tied him for the second-most at the time of his retirement.
Both senior nominees were members of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1950s.
Butler was a cornerback for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1951-59 and was a Pro Bowl choice in each of his final four years. He recorded 52 career interceptions for 827 yards and four touchdowns, including an NFL- best 10 picks during the 1957 season.
Stanfel was selected for five Pro Bowls during a seven-year career as a guard for Detroit and Washington. He helped the Lions to back-to-back NFL titles in 1952 and '53. After four seasons with Detroit, he was traded to Washington and spent his final three seasons with the Redskins.
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