One of 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists for the sixth consecutive year, Middletown native Cris Carter will find out today whether he will be a part of the Class of 2013.

“There is anticipation in not knowing,” Carter said. “You don’t have a handle on it, but you want it to happen. The reality, I’ve been a finalist five times and haven’t gotten in. Those have been five disappointing days. But when you look back on my life and everything else that I do have, I’ll take those five days out of it.”

Carter and the other 14 finalists were chosen from 27 semifinalists by a 46-member selection committee, which will meet today in New Orleans to elect this year’s class.

The committee will trim the list of 15 finalists to 10 and eventually five before voting ahead of the 5:30 p.m. announcement. Players must receive 80 percent of the vote (37 of the 46 ballots) to be inducted.

“After the first two years he didn’t make it, I think Cris came to accept that whatever life deals him, he can handle it,” said Al Milton, who played quarterback for Middletown High School and graduated with Carter in 1984.

Friends of Carter’s since second grade, Milton and Jimmy Calhoun talked to him earlier this week, as they do every week leading up to the Hall of Fame vote.

“Even if he never gets in, Cris will still be Cris,” Milton said. “But I think he’s in this year. If not, it’s a travesty.”

In addition to Carter, wide receivers Tim Brown (Raiders and Buccaneers) and Andre Reed (Bills and Redskins) also are eligible. All three have similar numbers and cases for induction, which often results in their votes being split by committee members. This is Reed’s seventh year as a finalist and Brown’s fourth.

“There’s been a lot of discussion among the selectors that we’ve got a three-way logjam at receiver, and something’s got to be fixed,” said Joe Reedy of The Cincinnati Enquirer, one of the 46 members on the selection committee.

“We have to come to some sort of resolution,” Reedy continued. “Does that resolution come this year? I would hope so. Whether it’s either Cris or Andre or Tim, if you get one of them to Canton, it makes the case easier for the other ones.”

Four players in their first year of eligibility also are expected to battle Carter for votes this year. Cowboys guard Larry Allen; Buccaneers and Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp; Giants defensive end Michael Strahan; and Ravens tackle Johnathan Ogden all are strong candidates for induction.

The other finalists are Rams and Steelers running back Jerome Bettis; former 49ers owner Edward Debartolo Jr.; Rams, Steelers, Panthers and 49ers outside linebacker Kevin Greene; 49ers and Cowboys defensive end Charles Haley; former Browns and Ravens owner Art Modell; and former Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys coach Bill Parcells; Chiefs guard Will Shields and Cardinals and Rams safety Aeneas Williams.

Additionally, a pair of pre-1988 candidates picked by the Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee will be considered. They are Chiefs, Oilers and Lions defensive tackle Curley Culp, and Packers and Redskins linebacker Dave Robinson.

Carter played 16 seasons with the Eagles, Vikings and Dolphins and was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection.

Philadelphia’s fourth-round pick out of Ohio State in 1987, Carter played for the Eagles for three seasons before spending 12 in Minnesota and one in Miami.

He finished his career with 1,101 receptions for 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns. He ranks fourth in NFL history in receptions and receiving touchdowns, eighth in total touchdowns (131) and ninth in receiving yards.

“I’m very comfortable with what I’ve done,” Carter said. “I’m also comfortable with the process, they have a tough edict. As a finalist five times, I haven’t seen them select a bad class. People might say you should have been in, but its irrelevant to me because good news is never late.”