Former Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas is among 25 semifinal candidates on the ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2009.

The 25 semifinalists were chosen from a preliminary list of 133 nominees. The list will be reduced to 15 modern-era candidates, plus two Senior nominees, Bob Hayes and Claude Humphrey.

Thomas, who died in 2000, is a finalist for the fifth time.

Four first-year eligible players are John Randle, Shannon Sharpe, Bruce Smith, and Rod Woodson. Also, Roger Craig, who has been eligible since 1999, was a semifinalist for the first time.

The Class of 2008, ranging from five to seven members, will be selected on Jan. 31.

Cris Carter, WR: 1987-89 Philadelphia Eagles, 1990-2001 Minnesota Vikings, 2002 Miami Dolphins.

Roger Craig, RB: 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings.

Terrell Davis, RB: 1995-2001 Denver Broncos.

Dermontti Dawson, C: 1988-2000 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Richard Dent, DE: 1983-1993, 1995 Chicago Bears, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1996 Indianapolis Colts, 1997 Philadelphia Eagles.

Chris Doleman, DE/LB: 1985-1993, 1999 Minnesota Vikings, 1994-95 Atlanta Falcons, 1996-98 San Francisco 49ers.

Kevin Greene, LB/DE: 1985-1992 Los Angeles Rams, 1993-95 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1996, 1998-99 Carolina Panthers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers.

Russ Grimm, G: 1981-1991 Washington Redskins.

Ray Guy, P: 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

Charles Haley, DE/LB: 1986-1991, 1999 San Francisco 49ers, 1992-96 Dallas Cowboys.

Lester Hayes, CB: 1977-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

Cortez Kennedy, DT: 1990-2000 Seattle Seahawks.

Bob Kuechenberg, G: 1970-1984 Miami Dolphins.

Randall McDaniel, G: 1988-1999 Minnesota Vikings, 2000-01 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Art Modell, Owner: 1961-1995 Cleveland Browns, 1996-2003 Baltimore Ravens.

John Randle, DT: 1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks.

Andre Reed, WR: 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins.

Shannon Sharpe, TE: 1990-99, 2002-03 Denver Broncos, 2000-01 Baltimore Ravens.

Bruce Smith, DE: 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-03 Washington Redskins.

Ken Stabler, QB: 1970-79 Oakland Raiders, 1980-81 Houston Oilers, 1982-84 New Orleans Saints.

Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner: 1989-2006 National Football League.

Steve Tasker, Special Teams/WR: 1985-86 Houston Oilers, 1986-1997 Buffalo Bills.

Derrick Thomas, LB: 1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs.

Ralph Wilson, Owner: 1960-current Buffalo Bills.

Rod Woodson, CB/S: 1987-1996 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1997 San Francisco 49ers, 1998-2001 Baltimore Ravens, 2002-03 Oakland Raiders.