Tomlinson, Warner and Former Spartan Andersen Highlight Football Hall of Fame Finalist List

The NFL Hall of Fame selection committee whittled 26 semifinalists down to just 15 finalists on Tuesday, and among the names still eligible is former Michigan State Spartan Morten Andersen.

This is Andersen's 4th straight year being a finalist for the Hall of Fame.

Andersen, 56, is the all-time leader in games played (382) and points scored (2,544) in the NFL. He played an unparalleled 25 seasons in the league and is the top scorer in franchise history for both the New Orleans Saints (11 seasons) and Atlanta Falcons (8 seasons). His final season in 2007 was his most accurate from a field goal kicking perspective with 89.3% success rate (25/28).

At Michigan State, Andersen played four years from 1978-1981. He kicked a 63 yard field goal against Ohio State in his senior season that still stands as a Big Ten record today. He was also honored as an All-American in 1981. In 2011, he was inducted into the Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Andersen was drafted in the 4th round of the 1982 draft to New Orleans after his career at Michigan State.

Along with Andersen, who is the lone special teams representative, LaDainian Tomlinson, Terrell Owens, Kurt Warner and Terrell Davis are among the top offensive options the selection committee will have to choose from for the Hall of Fame. On the defensive side of the ball, John Lynch, Brian Dawkins and Jason Taylor are among the finalists as well.

The Selection Committee meets the day before the Super Bowl (which is February 4th this year) to enshrine a new class. At least four but no more than eight of the 15 finalists will be selected.