CANTON, Ohio, Jan 11 (AFP) - Legendary quarterback Dan Marino, whose single-season touchdown pass record was eclipsed this season, heads the list of 15 finalists for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Quarterback Steve Young, wide receiver Michael Irvin and linebacker Derrick Thomas were among the other first-time nominees announced Tuesday.
Although he never won a Super Bowl, Marino rewrote the NFL record book in his 16-year career with the Miami Dolphins.
The nine-time Pro Bowler holds records for passing yards (61,361), completions (4,967) and touchdown passes (420).
He set the single-season mark with 48 touchdown passes in 1984, the mark surpassed this season by the Colts' Peyton Manning.
Young began his career in the US Football League and entered the NFL in 1985 with Tampa Bay, where he played for two seasons.
He eventually replaced Hall of Famer Joe Montana in San Francisco, where he spent the final 13 years of his career.
With San Francisco, Young made seven Pro Bowls and led the 49ers to a victory in Super Bowl 29, when he threw a record six touchdown passes in a 49-26 victory over San Diego.
One of the NFL's best scrambling quarterbacks of all-time, Young was forced to retire following the 1999 season due to several concussions.
The brash Irvin was the primary receiver on three Super Bowl-winning teams for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. He was forced to retire following the 1999 season due to a neck injury.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Irvin finished his career with 750 catches for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns.
The late Thomas, one of the best pass-rushing linebackers of all time, played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1988 to 1999, recording 127 1/2 sacks in 169 games. He died at the age of 33 on February 8, 2000 from complications following a car crash that left him paralyzed.
Voting for a maximum of six new members be held February 5, the day before the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.
Enshrinement of the class of 2005 will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton on August 7.
01/11/2005 20:51 GMT - AFP