Former Pitt greats Curtis Martin and Chris Doleman are both one step closer to reaching the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both were named finalists for the first time.

Curtis Martin is in his first year of eligibility and is one step away from making the Hall of Fame on his first attempt. Martin ranks fourth all-time with 14,101 career yards, had ten consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and made five Pro Bowls.

Doleman, one of the most feared pass rushers of the 1990s, has been on the ballot previously and was a semi-finalist the last two years. But this is the first time he's advanced to become a finalist. Doleman ranks 4th all-time with 150.5 career sacks and led the league with 21 in 1989. He also made eight Pro Bowls throughout his career.

In all, there are 17 finalists - joining Martin and Doleman are Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Cris Carter, Dermontti Dawson, Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Charles Haley, Chris Hanburger, Cortez Kennedy, Andre Reed, Les Richter, Willie Roaf, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders, and Shannon Sharpe. The enshrinees will be named on February 5th.