Former New York Jets center Kevin Mawae has been selected as a semifinalist for the National Football League's Hall of Fame Class of 2015. 

Mawae, 43, spent seven season with the Jets from 1998-2005. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Mawae spent three years with the team before signing with New York as a free agent after the 1997 season. 

In his first season in New York, Mawae established himself as a staple on the team's offensive line.


With Mawae paving the way, the Jets offense averaged 357 yards per game and held the ball for an average of 32:17 per game. Running back Curtis Martin rushed a franchise-record eight 100 yard games that season and 1,287 yards.

With the Jets, Mawae was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams six straight times. Overall, Mawae was elected to each team eight times. He was given the Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award in 1998 and was named to the New York Jets All-Time Four Decade Team. 

In 2005, Mawae suffered a triceps injury and was released by the Jets after the season. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2006, where he played three season before his retirement in 2009. The last game he played was the 2010 Pro Bowl. 

Aside from Mawae, the NFL announced a list of 25 other players that were also nominated. That list includes: Quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Edgerrin James, receiver Isaac Bruce, receiver Torry Holt, offensive tackle Orlando Pace, linebacker Junior Seau, running back Jerome Bettis, running back Terrell Davis, receiver Tim Brown, running back Roger Craig, receiver Marvin Harrison, offensive lineman Joe Jacoby, defensive tackle Mike Kenn and offensive lineman Will Shields, Kicker Morten Anderson, cornerback Ty Law, coach Tony Dungy, defensive back Steve Atwater, safety John Lynch, safety Darren Woodson, linebacker Kevin Greene, linebacker Karl Macklenburg, defensive end Charles Haley, coach Jimmy Johnson and coach Don Coryell.

 

Of the 26 players, the NFL will elect six to the Hall of Fame. The class of 2015 will be announced at the "NFL Honors" awards ceremony. If Mawae is elected, he will become the sixth Jet in the Hall of Fame that spent multiple years with the team, joining quarterback Joe Namath, running back Curtis Martin, receiver Don Maynard and coach Weeb Ewbank. 

Defensive back Ronnie Lott (1993-1994), coach Bulldog Turner (1962), running back John Riggins (1971-1975), receiver Art Monk (1994), coach Sammy Baugh (1960-1961) and coach/general manager Bill Parcells (1997-200) spent brief stints with the team and are also in the Hall of Fame. 

Connor Hughes is the New York Jets beat writer for About.com Sports. He can be reached on twitter: @Connor_J_Hughes, or via email: Connor_J_Hughes@yahoo.com