2012 NFL Hall Of Fame Announcement: Dermontti Dawson, Jack Butler Inducted

Dejan Kovacevic has reactions from Dermontti Dawson, Jack Butler and the Steelers’ extended family regarding Saturday’s announcement that Dawson and Butler will be part of the 2012 NFL Hall Of Fame class. Dawson:

“It’s a great honor to be elected,” Dawson said. “I never would have thought I’d be in this position. I feel very fortunate. It’s something my kids and grandkids can see, to take a look at what their granddad did.”

And here’s Butler:

“I never, ever thought I would be here. I just didn’t think this was reality. When I was a kid, I dreamed about being a football player. And here I am, Jack Butler from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, going into the Hall of Fame. I can’t believe it.”

Butler had a long career with the Steelers after he retired as a player, but Dawson is the one Steelers fans will remember the most. He played center for the Steelers from 1998 to 2000 and was one of a line of outstanding Steelers centers.

For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.

With the announcement that former Panther greats Curtis Martin and Chris Doleman will be inducted into the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the University of Pittsburgh will have a total of eight members. With those eight players, Pitt ranks only behind USC (11) and Notre Dame (10) as the schools with the most players of all time inducted into the elite club. The Panthers are tied for third with Michigan and Ohio State.

Former Pitt players have been on a roll lately. In 2010, former offensive lineman Russ Grimm and defensive standout Rickey Jackson were elected. Other Panthers that have been inducted include Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, Mike Ditka, and Joe Schmidt.

Martin ran for more than 14,000 yards in his NFL career with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Doleman, playing with the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers, retired with 150.5 sacks.

For more on the 2012 Hall of Fame selections, follow SB Nation Pittsburgh’s storystream. For more on the Pitt Panthers, check out SB Nation blog Cardiac Hill.

Two former Pittsburgh Steelers will be members of the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. Jack Butler, a defensive back who played for Pittsburgh in the 1950s, and longtime center Dermontti Dawson will be inducted into the Hall in August. The announcement was made Saturday evening:

Jerome Bettis, who rushed for over 13,000 yards in his career, was passed over by the Selection Committee. The only running back to be inducted this year will be Curtis Martin.

For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain. For more news and notes on 2012 Hall Of Fame Class check out the SB Nation NFL StoryStream.