Six former Broncos named semifinalist for 2017 Hall of Fame class

Four Ring of Fame players and six total former Denver Broncos have been named as semifinalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Among the half-dozen former Broncos, running back Terrell Davis has been named a semifinalist the most times (11), followed by safety Steve Atwater (6).

Atwater’s joined by fellow safeties John Lynch, who just entered the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2016, and Brian Dawkins, who made the list for the first time.

Longtime linebacker Karl Mecklenburg was named for the sixth time, and it’s the fifth time for cornerback Ty Law, who played for just one season in orange in blue in 2009.

The list of 26 semifinalists will be trimmed down to just 15 in January, and those finalists will be announced during the “NFL Honors” awards ceremony the evening before the Super Bowl.

Alongside the 15 finalists, one senior finalist — former Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley — and two contributor finals — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue — will be voted upon for induction.

Many disagreed with Jones’ selection as a finalist in August, feeling Broncos owner Pat Bowlen was snubbed, including ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, who called it a “disgrace.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.