Former Bears Jimbo Covert, Ed Sprinkle finalists for Hall of Fame centennial class

Jimbo Covert, the Bears’ left tackle for eight years who protected Jim McMahon in the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory, is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

So is Ed Sprinkle, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end who won a championship with the Bears during his career, which ranged from 1944-55.

The two are under consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special “Centennial Slate,” a special class that will be selected — in an addition to the annual picks — to celebrate the league’s 100th season. The class in intended to clear out a back log of senior players, former coaches and contributors.

The Hall will pare the finalist list down to 15 inductees in early January.

The selection committee will whittle the list of 20 players down to 10; eight coaches down to two; and 10 contributors down to three.