ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610280134
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
Don Shula, who retired as the winningest NFL coach in history, heads the list of those nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Shula was among 10 nominees announced Thursday who are eligible for election for the first time.
Others include offensive linemen Jim Covert and Russ Grimm; defensive linemen Jerome Brown and Dexter Manley; linebackers Hugh Green, Matt Millen and Jerry Robinson; defensive back Deron Cherry; and place-kicker Pat Leahy.
Shula, who spent 34 seasons with the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins, won two Super Bowls and an NFL-record 347 games.
Former Cardinals and Chargers head coach Don Coryell and Washington Redskins chairman of the board Jack Kent Cooke also were nominated.
A total of 12 modern-era finalists will be selected from the 55-nominee list by the Hall's board of selectors.
Center Dwight Stephenson and defensive back Mike Haynes will be added to the list of 12 because they finished in the top six in voting for the 1996 class.
The 15th member of the finalists to be announced in mid-January will be former Green Bay Packers guard Jerry Kramer, who was recommended by the Seniors Committee.
The class of 1997 will be determined on Jan.27, the day after the Super Bowl.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB