<P> Each city that has a current NFL team sends one representative from the local media to the committee . A city with more than one franchise sends a representative for each franchise . </P> <P> There are also 15 at - large delegates including one representative from the Pro Football Writers Association . Except for the PFWA representative, who is appointed to a two - year term, all other appointments are open - ended and terminated only by death, incapacitation, retirement, or resignation . </P> <P> To be eligible for the nominating process, a player or coach must have been retired for at least five years . Any other contributor such as a team owner or executive can be voted in at any time . </P> <P> Fans may nominate any player, coach or contributor by simply writing to the Pro Football Hall of Fame via letter or email . The Selection Committee is then polled three times by mail to eventually narrow the list to 25 semifinalists: once in March, once in September, and once in October . In November, the committee then selects 15 finalists by mail balloting . A Seniors and Contributors Committee, subcommittees of the overall Selection Committee, nominate Seniors (those players who completed their careers more than 25 years ago) and Contributors (individuals who made contributions to the game in areas other than playing or coaching). The Seniors Committee and Contributors Committee add two or one finalist (s) on alternating years which makes a final ballot of 18 finalists under consideration by the full committee each year . Committee members are instructed to only consider a candidate's professional football contributions and to disregard all other factors . </P>

When do you become eligible for the nfl hall of fame
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