Trio of former Broncos DBs named Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists
Jan 3, 2019, 5:23 PM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 4:27 am
Three of the best to ever suit up in the defensive backfield for the Denver Broncos — cornerback Champ Bailey and safeties Steve Atwater and John Lynch — join a group of 12 others seeking to be recognized as one of the NFL’s best ever.
Atwater, Bailey, and Lynch were all named as modern-era finalists for the 2019 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday, joining contributor nominee and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen on the list of 18 hopefuls for enshrinement.
Bailey made the final cut in his first year of eligibility. Atwater has a finalist once before (2016) while Lynch had made the list in each of the past six seasons.
Technically a fourth former Broncos defensive back, Ty Law, was named a finalist Thursday as well, though he played just one season (2009) in Denver.
Thursday’s cut down is the last step before the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee votes on this year’s class, which they will do on the eve of Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 2.
The 2019 Hall of Fame class will then be announced during the annual NFL Honors awards presentation, also held on Feb. 2
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