Maybe the fourth time will be the charm for Alan Faneca.
The former Steelers guard was named Thursday as one of 15 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the fourth consecutive year, meaning he's made the next step in he process once again.
Whether he can get over the final hump this year to gain induction remains to be seen. That vote and announcement will take place Sat., Feb. 2, in Atlanta.
Faneca was the Steelers first-round draft pick in 1998 and played 10 years for them, finishing his final three seasons with the Jets and Cardinals. He was a key member of the Super Bowl XL Championship team and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. Faneca also was a six-time All-Pro selection and was named to the Steelers All-Time Team in 2007 and the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team.
While Faneca made the final cut again, receiver Hines Ward did not make it after reaching the semifinals for the third-straight year.
Other finalists this year include cornerback Champ Bailey, safety Ed Reed, tight end Tony Gonzalez, running back Edgerrin James, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, cornerback Ty Law, safety Steve Atwater, safety John Lynch, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, offensive tackle Tony Boselli, guard Steve Hutchinson, center Kevin Mawae and coaches Don Coryell and Tom Flores.
