ALLEN PARK -- Three former Detroit Lions made the first cut as modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2020 class.

Kicker Jason Hanson, offensive lineman Lomas Brown and linebacker Chris Spielman made the list with 122 other eligible players. Modern-era players are defined by the hall as those to play after the 1970 season. This year’s rundown of nominees includes 63 offensive players, 43 defensive players and 16 from special teams.

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Hanson retired in 2012 after 21 seasons with the Lions. He holds the franchise record for field goals made (495) and points scored (2,150). Hanson also sits fourth on the league’s all-time highest scorers list and is alone at the top for most games played with a single team (327).

Brown played left tackle for the Lions between 1985 and 1995. He started 163 of 164 games played for the franchise before spending time with the Cardinals, Browns, Giants and Buccaneers. Brown won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay before retiring after the 2002 season. The former sixth-overall pick made seven Pro Bowl teams and was named an All-Pro once in his career. Brown now works as a color analyst on Detroit Lions radio broadcasts.

In eight seasons with the Lions, Spielman started all 124 games he suited up for in Detroit. The former Ohio State linebacker had a whopping 1,138 tackles, 13 forced fumbles, 10 1/2 sacks and six interceptions in Detroit. He retired after two seasons in Buffalo after the 1997 season. Spielman was named to four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team during his time in Detroit.

Notable first-time candidates include defensive end John Abraham, linebacker Lance Briggs, running back Maurice Jones-Drew, safety Troy Polamalu, receiver Reggie Wayne and linebacker Patrick Willis, among others.

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Nominees from the modern-era are trimmed from 122 to 25 semifinalists in November and then down to 15 finalists after the regular season. As part of the NFL’s centennial celebration, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct 20 members in 2020. The selection committee for this year’s class includes football historians, current voters and Hall of Famers.

This year’s inductees will include five modern-era players, 10 players retired for more than 25 seasons, three “contributors” and two coaches. Those selected will be formally inducted with ceremonies taking place between Aug. 6-9 and Sept. 16-19 of 2020.

“The Hall of Fame Board recently passed a resolution that suspended the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee By-Laws for the Class of 2020 election cycle only,” a press release from the Pro Football Hall of Fame reads. “The measure is intended to honor the NFL’s Centennial Celebration through a special Centennial Class that will be comprised of 20 members in 2020.”

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