2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Tom Nalen, John Lynch first-year nominees

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its list of candidates for the Class of 2013 on Thursday, and former Denver Broncos Tom Nalen and John Lynch are included for the first time. 127 names are on the list; of that number, 25 will be chosen as semifinalists by the Selection Committee, usually in late November.

Nalen retired in 2009 after spending his entire career with the Broncos and starting 188 of 194 games. A center, Nalen anchored lines that cleared holes for six different 1,000-yard rushers and was a part of the Denver's back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998.

Lynch joined Denver as a free agent after 11 seasons in Tampa Bay. He registered 1,277 tackles, 26 interceptions and 100 passes defensed in his 15-year career.

Other Broncos on the nominee list are running back Terrell Davis, receiver Rod Smith, linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, safeties Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith, and coach Dan Reeves. The Hall of Fame class of 2013 will be announced on Feb. 2.