On the eve of Super Bowl XLVI, a decision will be made as to which superstars from the past will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2012. Between seven and ten players, coaches and owners from the list of 17 will be inducted on Saturday night. So with the announcement looming, we take a closer look at the nominees hoping to take their place in Canton.

Jerome Bettis (RB) – Los Angeles/St Louis Rams (1993-95), Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-2005)

Having been drafted by the Rams as the tenth overall pick in the first round in 1993, Bettis enjoyed a productive career and is best known for his 11 year stint in Pittsburgh. During that time he lifted his one and only Lombardi trophy in 2006 when the Steelers overcame the Seahawks. Bettis is sixth on the list of all time rushing yards and tenth on the rushing touchdowns list.

Tim Brown (WR) – Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1988-2003), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004)

A Heisman trophy winner in college, Brown was picked up by the Raiders in 1988 and spent 15 of his 16 years in the league with the franchise. He currently sits fifth on the list of all time career receptions and fifth in all-purpose yards gained. A nine time Pro-Bowler, Brown was named in the NFL team of the decade for the 1990s.

Jack Butler (CB) – Pittsburgh Steelers (1951-59)

After being overlooked in the draft, Butler was picked up by the Steelers in free agency and went on to establish himself as one of the most valuable corners in the league. Snagging five picks in his rookie year, he eventually retired second on the list of career interceptions. Despite an impressive 25 interceptions in his first four seasons, he was overlooked for the Pro Bowl until his fifth year, the only season in which he failed to register a pick. Unfortunately Butler’s career was cut short by injury, bowing out with 52 interceptions for 827 yards and four pick-sixes.

Cris Carter (WR) - Philadelphia Eagles (1987-89), Minnesota Vikings (1990-2001), Miami Dolphins (2002)

This is the second time that Carter has found himself on the Hall of Fame list of nominees. Now an analyst for ESPN, Carter started his career with the Eagles but spent the bulk of his time with the Vikings. An eight time Pro Bowler, he still sits in the top ten in career lists for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He was named in the NFL’s team of the decade for the nineties, a period in which he went eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.

Dermontti Dawson (C) – Pittsburgh Steelers (1988-2000)

Despite his imposing figure, Dawson was loved among his peers, known by many as ‘Ned Flanders’ for his friendly demeanor. The seven-time Pro Bowl centre represented the Steelernation for 13 seasons, stepping into the rather formidable shoes of Hall of Fame centre Mike Webster. His exceptional speed and strength meant he stood out from other players in his position enabling to create moments in a game not typical of a centre.

Edward DeBartolo, Jr. (Owner) – San Francisco 49ers (1977-2000)

Known as a ‘player’s owner’, DeBartolo Jr. bought the franchise in 1977 with a vision to create a top class organisation both on and off the field and had great success. In 1979 he attained the services of Coach Bill Walsh and drafted quarterback Joe Montana, forming what would prove to be a formidable winning combination. During DeBartolo’s ownership the 49ers were a ruthless winning machine, capturing 13 division titles and appearing 16 times in the playoffs. It didn’t stop there though as they turned 10 of those playoff berths into NFC championship game appearances and in turn became the first franchise ever to win five Super Bowls.

Chris Doleman (DE/LB) – Minnesota Vikings (1985-1993, 1999), Atlanta Falcons (1994-95), San Francisco 49ers (1996-98)

The fourth overall draft pick in the 1985 draft, Doleman went on to play 232 games over 15 seasons in the league. In an impressive career he recorded 150.5 sacks which earned him eight appearances at the season ending Pro Bowl. The 1992 defensive player of the year is currently tied third in the NFL record books with eight consecutive seasons recording ten or more sacks. His best season in terms of statistics came in 1989 when he registered 21 sacks, one shy of the single season record at the time.

Kevin Greene (LB/DE) – Los Angeles Rams (1985-92), Pittsburgh Steelers (1993-95), Carolina Panthers (1996, 1998-99), San Francisco 49er (1997)

Despite an impressive 15 year in which he clocked up an impressive 160 sacks, it wasn’t until his current tenure as linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers that he got his hands on a Super Bowl ring. One of the most feared linebackers of his time, Greene was selected five times for the Pro Bowl and only once failed to register 10 or more sacks in a season. Despite never actually winning a Lombardi trophy as a player, he did feature in six conference championship games and one Super Bowl.

Charles Haley (DE/LB) – San Francisco 49ers (1986-1991, 1999), Dallas Cowboys (1992-96)

Enjoying his third nomination for a place in the Hall of Fame, Haley had a storybook career playing for two of the most successful teams of his generation. In a career spanning 12 seasons he captured five Super Bowl rings, three with Dallas and two with San Francisco. In 12 seasons he was involved in ten divisional championship winning teams. He retired after a serious back injury in 1996 but came back in 1999 as a back-up in San Francisco where he was able to register the two more sacks he needed to take him to 100.5 career sacks.

Cortez Kennedy (DT) – Seattle Seahawks (1990-2000)

There weren’t many defensive tackles as dominant as Cortez Kennedy during his ten year stint in Seattle. The third overall pick in the 1990 draft proved extremely durable, featuring in 167 of the 176 games the Seahawks played while he was on the roster. His appearance in eight Pro Bowls is a franchise record despite being a part of the 2-14 losing season in 1992 he was named the NFL’s defensive player of the year, recording 14 sacks and 92 tackles.

Curtis Martin (RB) – New England Patriots (1995-97), New York Jets (1998-2005)

Drafted by the Patriots in the third round in 1995, Martin ran 30 yards on his very first play as a professional. He went on to clock up over 100 yards on his debut and threw in a game winning touchdown for good measure. He finished his rookie season as the AFC’s leading rusher with 1,487 yards, which included nine games of over 100 yards. In his final year as a pro, while with the New York Jets, he suffered a knee injury which ended his streak of 119 consecutive starts and led to the only season of his career in which he didn’t pass the 1,000 yard mark.

Bill Parcells (Coach) – New York Giants (1983-90), New England Patriots (1993-96), New York Jets (1997-99), Dallas Cowboys (2003-06)

Affectionately known as ‘The Big Tuna’, Parcells enjoyed great success as a coach in a little over two decades in the NFL. He was involved in three Super Bowls, winning two rings with the New York Giants, losing only once with New England. He ended his career with a regular season record of 172-130-1 and an impressive post-season tally of 11-8. Parcells was well known for his ability to quickly reverse the fortunes of the teams he coached, most notably turning the 3-12-1 Giants into Super Bowl contenders, leading them to the playoffs in his first season. In 2003, he reached the wild card game with the Cowboys, making him the first coach to reach the playoffs with four teams.

Andre Reed (WR) – Buffalo Bills (1985-99), Washington Redskins (2000)

In a stellar 16 season career, Reed will be best remembered for the crucial role he played in taking the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 1990s. He is also well known for his role in the game known as ‘The Comeback’, when he caught three touchdown passes to lead his team back from 35-3 down in the third quarter against the Houston Oilers in 1993. He ranks eighth on the list of career receptions, ninth in receiving yards and 11th in touchdown receptions. Despite never winning a Lombardi trophy he was one of only a handful of players to play in four Super Bowls.

Willie Roaf (T) – New Orleans Saints (1993-2001), Kansas City Chiefs (2002-05)

A quarterback’s dream, the man nicknamed ‘Nasty’ made an impressive 11 appearances in the Pro Bowl and was named in the team of the decade for both the 1990s and the 2000s. The first offensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the 1993 draft, he started every game at left tackle in his rookie season, earning himself all-rookie honours. Roaf also featured in the Saints first ever playoff win, when they beat the reigning champion St Louis Rams.

Will Shields (G) – Kansas City Chiefs (1993-2006)

Talked about as one of the best guards in NFL history, Shields enjoyed a productive 14 year career. The 12 time Pro Bowler clocked up 231 consecutive games, blocking for five 1,000 yard rushing seasons and four 4,000 passing yard seasons. Named in the team of the decade for the 2000s, he was also part of the 1994 team that set a record for fewest sacks conceded, when Joe Montana was brought down just 19 times.

Dick Stanfel (G) – Detroit Lions (1952-55), Washington Redskins (1956-58)

Selected in the second round of the 1952 draft, Stanfel quickly established himself as the anchor of a Lions defence which dominated the 1950s. Having missed his entire first season with a knee injury, he helped lead the Lions to the NFL Championship game in his first three seasons as a starter. Detroit won back to back championships in 1952-53 and as a result, Stanfel was named by his teammates as the MVP for 1953. Selected in the NFL team of the decade for the 1950s, Stanfel chose to retire relatively young. Aged just 31, Stanfel went on to coach in the league for 12 years with New Orleans and then Chicago. 

Aeneas Williams (CB/S) – Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1991-2000), St Louis Rams (2001-04)

One of the best footballers to ever play the cornerback position, Williams had a knack of getting into the end zone, despite being on the defensive side of the ball. In a career spanning 14 years he clocked up 12 returning touchdowns in 55 interceptions, as well as 795 tackles and 268 yards on fumble returns. In his debut alone he managed four deflected passes and an interception. He was a defensive rookie of the year winner, eight time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1990s team of the decade. His post season numbers were equally as impressive. Between 1998 and 2001 he hauled in interceptions in a record four straight postseason games and represented the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.