Michael Strahan, who helped the New York Giants win the 2008 Super Bowl, and ironman linebacker Derrick Brooks headline the inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 2014.
Others to be named at the NFL honours ceremony on Saturday included Walter Jones, Andre Reed, Aeneas Williams, Claude Humphrey and Ray Guy.
But Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison, who teamed up as coach and wide receiver to win a Super Bowl together with the Indianapolis Colts, were left off the list.
The newest members of the Hall of Fame were selected from a list of 17 finalists.
Strahan, 42, was a defensive end for the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007 and was named the NFL defensive player of the year in 2001.
A five-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler, Strahan amassed 141.5 sacks in his 15-season career.
Brooks was a linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1995 to 2008. He made 11 Pro Bowls and never missed a game during his 14-season career.
Jones was an offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks from 1997 to 2009. A member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s, he was named All-Pro six times and voted to nine Pro Bowls.
Reed caught 951 passes for 13,198 yards and 87 touchdowns in his 16-season career with the Buffalo Bills (1985-1999) and Washington Redskins (2000).
Williams was a cornerback and safety with the Phoenix and Arizona Cardinals (1991-2000) and St Louis Rams (2001-2004). He was a four-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection.
Humphrey was a defensive lineman with the Atlanta Falcons (1968-1978) and Philadelphia Eagles (1979-1981). He was named first-team All-Pro five times and earned six Pro Bowl nods during his career.
Guy is the first punter to make the Hall of Fame. He played with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1973 to 1986.
