The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced today the 2009 finalists for enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. 17 former players, owners, and front office personnel are up for the vote, which takes place prior to the Super Bowl this year in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Here are the finalists:

WR – Cris Carter

• (1987-89) Philadelphia, (1990-2001) Minnesota, (2002) Miami

C – Dermontti Dawson

• (1988-2000) Pittsburgh

DE – Richard Dent

• (1983-1993, 1995) Chicago, (1994) San Francisco, (1996) Indianapolis, (1997) Philadelphia

G – Russ Grimm

• (1981-1991) Washington

WR – Bob Hayes

• (1965-1974) Dallas, (1975) San Francisco

DE – Claude Humphrey

• (1968-1978) Atlanta, (1979-1981) Philadelphia

DT – Cortez Kennedy

• (1990-2000) Seattle

G – Bob Kuechenberg

• (1970-1984) Miami

G – Randall McDaniel

• (1988-1999) Minnesota, (2000-01) Tampa Bay

DT – John Randle

• (1990-2000) Minnesota, (2001-03) Seattle

WR – Andre Reed

• (1985-1999) Buffalo, (2000) Washington

TE – Shannon Sharpe

• (1990-99, 2002-03) Denver, (2000-01) Baltimore

DE – Bruce Smith

• (1985-1999) Buffalo, 2000-03 Washington

DE/LB – Derrick Thomas

• (1989-1999) Kansas City

CB – Rod Woodson

• (1987-1996) Pittsburgh, (1997) San Francisco, (1998-2001) Baltimore, (2002-03) Oakland

Commissioner – Paul Tagliabue

• (1989-2006) National Football League.

Team Founder/Owner – Ralph Wilson

• (1960-Present) Buffalo