Hines Ward and Jason Taylor made the initial cut in their first attempt for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced Wednesday night.
Ward, MVP of Super Bowl XL, played 14 seasons for the Steelers. He owns the Steelers receiving records with 1,000 receptions and 12,083 yards.
Taylor, who graduated from Woodland Hills High School, played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the NFL for Miami, Washington and the New York Jets. He had 139.5 sacks and made six Pro Bowls.
Both retired after the 2011 season. They are among the 26 modern-era semifinalists announced by the Hall of Fame, culled in a vote from a list of 94 nominees.