<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 . Usually, the representative is a beat writer for the major newspaper in that city, with some exceptions; for instance, the Atlanta Falcons are represented by Len Pasquarelli (who no longer writes for the Atlanta Journal - Constitution), and the Jacksonville Jaguars are represented by WJXT sports director Sam Kouvaris . </P> <P> There are also 13 at - large delegates (usually cities that lose NFL teams keep representation on the board; this category currently comprises St. Louis, Missouri and San Diego, California), and 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 . Nine members of the Selection Committee also serve as a subcommittee known as the Seniors Committee to screen candidates who finished their careers more than 25 years prior . The Seniors Committee then adds two finalists from that group which makes a final ballot of 17 nominees . Committee members are instructed to only consider a candidate's professional football contributions and to disregard all other factors . </P>

When does a football player become eligible for the hall of fame
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