Former Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams is among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's special centennial class announced Thursday.
Adams, one of the co-founders of the American Football League, owned the Oilers from their 1960 inception. The franchise moved to Nashville in 1997 and was later rebranded as the Tennessee Titans. Adams died in 2013.
Five Super Bowl-winning coaches and such NFL champion players as Roger Craig, Drew Pearson and Donnie Shell are among the 20 seniors, eight coaches and 10 contributors identified as finalists.
A 25-member panel of pro football experts is charged with selecting 10 senior players, two coaches and three contributors who will be inducted into the shrine in Canton, Ohio, next year as part of the league's celebration of its 100th season.