Joining them were Shannon Sharpe, Richard Dent, Ed Sabol, Les Richter and Chris Hanburger.

Sanders, the outstanding cornerback/kick returner and sometime wide receiver known as “Prime Time” with five teams, is a two-time Super Bowl winner and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1994.

Faulk won a Super Bowl with the 1999 Rams, was the 1994 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2000 NFL MVP and a three-time Offensive Player of the Year (1999-2001). Faulk is the 10th leading career rusher with 12,279 yards.

Sharpe starred for Denver and Baltimore for 14 seasons and won three Super Bowls in a four-year span, two with Denver, one with Baltimore. He held league records for a tight end in receptions, yards and touchdowns when he retired in 2001.

Bears defensive end Dent was the MVP of the 1986 Super Bowl and finished with 137 1/2 career sacks. He was the top pass rusher on one of the NFL’s greatest defensive units.

Dent became a starter in 1984, beginning a 10-year period in which he made 10 or more sacks in eight of 10 seasons.

“It was a long time coming, I am very happy,” Dent said.

“If you can do your thing the way (Walter Payton) did his, you can be in the Hall of Fame. I am so thankful for this.” Dent also won a Super Bowl in 1994 with the 49ers.

Richter played linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams from 1954-62. They traded 11 players for him and waited two years while he was in the military before he suited up. He made the wait worthwhile , going to eight straight Pro Bowls. He also was a center and kicker.

Richter died last June.

Hanburger spent all 14 pro seasons with the Redskins and played in nine Pro Bowls. He played from 1965-78 and was called “The Hangman.” He was known for using clothesline tackles that eventually were outlawed.

“It’s wonderful. I am just overwhelmed. It’s such a tremendous honor to be nominated, let alone get in,” Hanburger said. “Have to think of all the men who played before me and all the men I played with.” Sabol founded NFL Films and was selected as a contributor.

The finalists who did not get in were Curtis Martin, Dermontti Dawson, Cortez Kennedy, Andre Reid and Willie Roaf.

Induction ceremonies are Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio.