:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27845643/20110201_rvr_am8_236.0.jpg)
Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner, which means the announcements for the next class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are also set to be announced. The voters are meeting today and later this afternoon, we will find out who will earn entry into Canton.
The voters will cut down from the 15 finalists, and the Class of 2014 will be introduced tonight during the NFL Honors program. It's an odd set up because the NFL Honors program airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX, but it is taped at 2:30 p.m. PT. That would seemingly mean information will leak out before the official introductions when the show airs to the public. It's an odd set-up in part because attendees are generally welcome to tweet out results during the show. So, if you are on Twitter, you'll know what is happening before it airs. Maybe it then makes you want to watch it, but I'm not entirely sure.
Fooch's Update: One report says the HOF announcement should be made around 4 p.m. PT.
For 49ers fans, the big news will be whether or not former owner Eddie DeBartolo or former defensive end/outside linebacker Charles Haley gain entry to Canton. They have both been finalists before, and at some point both seem likely to get enough votes. Unfortunately it's just taking extra time.
On Thursday night, I had a chance to talk with Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lanier. He serves on the board of trustees for the Hall, and he felt Eddie had a strong chance of getting in this year. It still takes getting enough votes, but maybe this is the year he finally gets over the hump!