Former Pittsburgh Steelers Dermontti Dawson, Jack Butler highlight 2012 HOF class

Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jack Butler and center Dermontti Dawson were honored with the highest individual award in professional football when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced them today as members of its Class of 2012.

University of Pittsburgh graduates Curtis Martin and Chris Doleman were also elected to the 2012 class.

The entire six-person class, which also includes Cortez Kennedy and Willie Roaf, was announced Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis as part of the Super Bowl XLVI festivities.

In August 2011, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Seniors Committee had named Butler and guard Dick Stanfel as finalists for the Class of 2012. Dawson was named one of the 15 modern-era finalists for the fourth consecutive year in early January 2012. Both players were elected to the Hall of Fame after a vote was conducted Saturday by the overall selection committee.

"I would like to congratulate both Jack and Dermontti for their elections to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Steelers' President Art Rooney II said. "They are both deserving of this honor for all they have done throughout the years to help build and continue our rich tradition. It is a great day for the entire organization that we can celebrate two of our all-time greats getting selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012."

In only his second year on the ballot, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis came up short Saturday when the class was announced.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame very rarely takes two players at the same position in the same class.

In 2011, Bettis’ first year of eligibility, he was passed over for Marshall Faulk. In 2012, Martin was selected in what many experts believe was a “numbers decision.”

Martin’s career statistics edged out Bettis’ in most categories, despite Martin playing 24 fewer career games.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler Kevin Greene also did not make the class.

The inductions will be in early August in Canton, Ohio.

The 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame class includes:

Jack Butler, Cornerback – 1951-59 Pittsburgh Steelers

Dermontti Dawson, Center – 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers

Chris Doleman, Defensive End/Linebacker – 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers

Cortez Kennedy, Defensive Tackle – 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks

Curtis Martin, Running Back – 1995-97 New England Patriots, 1998-2005 New York Jets

Willie Roaf, Tackle – 1993-2001 New Orleans Saints, 2002-05 Kansas City Chiefs