DeBartolo, ex-49ers named finalists for Hall of Fame

SANTA CLARA – Eddie DeBartolo Jr. will get another shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

DeBartolo, who won five Super Bowls when he owned the 49ers, on Friday became one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Hall.

Three other finalists – defensive end Charles Haley, linebacker Kevin Greene and guard Larry Allen – played for San Francisco.

Haley was a fourth-round pick by the 49ers in 1986, and he is the only player in NFL history to have played on five Super Bowl champions. He twice was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1994) and was voted to five Pro Bowl teams.

DeBartolo, meanwhile, did not make the cut from 15 to six inductees last year. With so few inductees each year, it has been difficult to vote in non-players.

One of the arguments made against DeBartolo in recent years is that, unlike other owners already in the Hall of Fame, such as the late Raiders owner Al Davis, DeBartolo did not help build the league and merely wrote checks for talented lieutenants such as John McVay, Bill Walsh and George Seifert.

Others cite the Louisiana gambling scandal of 1997 that eventually caused DeBartolo to relinquish control of the team to his sister, Denise, and her husband, John York.

The third knock involves salary cap violations in the late 1990s that resulted in nearly $1 million in fines and the loss of two 49ers draft picks.

Supporters argue that if that type of mischief prevents an owner from reaching the Hall of Fame, it will make it difficult for future candidates, such as the Patriots' Robert Kraft, whose team was embroiled in the Spygate scandal, to be inducted in coming years.

Another owner, former Browns and Ravens owner Art Modell, also is a finalist this year.

Between four and seven finalists will be announced as selections to the Hall of Fame on Feb. 2, the eve of the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

Justin Smith probable – Thirteen 49ers are listed as probable for today's game, including defensive lineman Justin Smith and his tender triceps.

Smith was limited in all three full practices this week and is expected to start at right defensive end.

Smith will wear a 16-ounce brace made of hollow carbon fiber to protect his left arm today.

The other nicked-but-ready-to-roll 49ers include starters Navorro Bowman (shoulder), Tarell Brown (shoulder), Dashon Goldson (shoulder), Mike Iupati (shoulder), Bruce Miller (shoulder), Carlos Rogers (knee), Aldon Smith (shoulder) and Patrick Willis (shoulder).

Defensive lineman Will Tukuafu (neck) also is listed as probable. That, coupled with Smith's injury, means backup lineman Ian Williams, who has suited up for only three games this season, could play against Green Bay.

For the Packers, wide receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson, who both missed a practice earlier this week, practiced in full on Friday. Both are listed as probable.

• Read more articles by Matthew Barrows

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