Greenwood, Russell, take the next step

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the list of 60 players who have advanced to the Class of 2025 in the Senior category, and two former Steelers are among the nominees.

They include defensive lineman LC Greenwood and linebacker Andy Russell.

To qualify for the Senior category, players could not have played in an NFL game after the 1999 season.

Each member of the Senior Screening Committee, a new entity formed this year to provide additional input around the overall selection process, voted for 50 individuals from a list of 182 nominees, consisting of 100 attacking players, 77 defensive players and five special teamers. All players who finished in 50th place remain eligible.

A separate nine-person Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will implement additional reductions in the coming weeks. In the fall, this committee will select three seniors as finalists for possible election with the Class of 2025.