DALLAS — With a stacked list of finalists hoping to be selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, little was certain about who would be a part of the 2011 class. But from the start, there was little doubt that Deion Sanders would be the one headlining the group.
Sanders, an eight-time Pro Bowler who helped redefine the cornerback position, will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, along with running back Marshall Faulk, tight end Shannon Sharpe, defensive end Richard Dent and Ed Sabol, founder of N.F.L. Films. Linebackers Chris Hanburger and Les Richter were also selected by the senior committee.
“Man, this is real,” Sanders said, “and I got to see Marshall Faulk and Shannon Sharpe cry.”
Faulk, who surpassed 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four straight seasons, was another likely choice heading into Saturday night’s announcement. He was the league’s offensive player of the year three times in row for the St. Louis Rams from 1999-2001.
Among the notable names missing the cut this year were running back Curtis Martin, running back Jerome Bettis and linebacker and defensive end Charles Haley.
Dent, who finished his career with 137.5 sacks, was the M.V.P. of Super Bowl XX. Sharpe retired after 14 seasons as the career leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns for a tight end.
“Normally I like my gold in bullions and coins, but I’ll make an exception for the jacket,” Sharpe said.
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