Former UK offensive lineman Dermontti Dawson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Dawson, a Lexington native and Bryan Station High School standout, played for the Wildcats from 1984-87 before being drafted in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1988. He played all 13 years of his career with the Steelers, retiring after the 2000 season.

He's the second UK alumni to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Former UK quarterback George Blanda is the other.

Dawson will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 5. He'll be enshrined with running back Curtis Martin, defensive end Chris Doleman, offensive tackle Willie Roaf, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, and cornerback Jack Butler, a senior selection.

Dawson played mostly guard for the Wildcats before moving to center with the Steelers. He succeeded another Hall of Famer for the Steelers when he took the starting center job following Mike Webster. He quickly built a reputation of his own.

He was elected to six straight All-Pro teams from 1993-98 and seven straight Pro Bowls from 1993-99. Dawson helped lead the Steelers reach Super Bowl XXX in 1996, where they fell to the Dallas Cowboys. He was also durable, starting every game at center for the Pittsburgh from 1989-98.

Dawson has returned to Lexington since his retirement and previously served as a representative on the UK athletics board and the UK Board of Trustees.