A two-hour rain delay last Saturday could not dampen the spirits of the thousands of fans in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium who turned out to watch their favorite players be enshrined in Canton.
The new Hall of Famers, in turn, expressed appreciation not only for those stadium attendees but for their teammates and coaches who helped them achieve their final football goal.
“I want to thank all my former teammates,” said Julius Peppers, who was selected for the Hall in his first year of eligibility. “You teammates are the reason I worked so hard and a big part of the reason that I am standing up here today. You motivated me, you inspired me, and we held each other accountable.”
49ers alum Patrick Willis only played eight years in the league but now is a Hall of Famer.
“I salute my high school, college and NFL brothers,” Willis said. “What a privilege it is now to stand with my Hall of Fame brothers in the Hall of Football Immortality. I am elated to know that I will no longer be known simply as Patrick Willis but as Hall of Famer Patrick Willis.”
Denver’s Randy Gradishar was one of the Senior inductees this year along with the Bears’ Steve McMichael. Gradishar saluted his “Orange Crush” defensive teammates one-by-one and also singled out the Broncos’ former defensive coordinator Joel Collier, who died last May at age 91.
“Coach Collier wasn’t just a brilliant coach but also one of the best leaders and mentors any NFL player could want to have on his side,” the 72-year old Gradishar explained. “His legacy of loyal commitment, humility, quiet strength, and encouragement made a lifelong difference in many athletes’ lives, including mine.”
The Benson Stadium crowd appreciated all the new Hall of Famers. The new class brings the total number of players, coaches and contributors in Canton to 378. The original class of 17 was inducted in 1963.
We at NFL Alumni agree that a trip to the birthplace of the league always is a thrill but Hall of Fame Weekend in Canton is a special experience. We salute all the new 2024 enshrinees and their families.
