The names of new Hall of Famers change each year but the one constant when the new guys make their acceptance speeches is that they always mention many of their teammates and coaches who helped get them to Canton.
For example, Luke Kuechly, who at 35 became the second youngest alum to be enshrined in Canton (the late Gale Sayers was 34), spoke about his love of the game and those Carolina Panthers teammates who helped him along the way.
“There is no way to measure what the game of football has given me…more than anything else the people I have been so blessed to be around because of this game,” Kuechly said. “Teammates become friends and friends become family. Greg Olsen, Sam Mills, Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, Dan Morgan, and Coach Ron Rivera were all there among others to show me the way.”
Drew Brees singled out the late Marty Schottenheiner, his first NFL coach with the Chargers (and a former linebacker alum).
“Marty, one of the greatest coaches and motivators to ever coach this game and who belongs here in Canton, was my biggest fan,” Brees said. “He would tell me that all the time, even when he benched me three times and made me fight for my job with the Chargers who had two quarterback greats in Doug Flutie and Philip Rivers.”
Brees had his former Saints coach (and Bears quarterback alum) Sean Payton with him on Enshrinement Day. “Sean, you always had a plan and vision for every player you coached,” Brees said looking directly at Payton. “I’m not sure if this is how you envisioned my journey or how big a role you would play in it, but I love you for it.”
Larry Fitzgerald was a ball boy in Vikings camp when the late Dennis Green was head coach.
“I grew up watching legends being built right in front of me,” Fitz recalled. “There were Hall of Fame players like John Randle, Chris Doleman, Randall McDaniel, and Warren Moon, who taught me what it means to demand more of myself than anyone else even would. Kurt Warner when you demanded that I elevate my preparation, consistency, and accountability when we were together with the Cardinals, you dragged me to the winner’s circle. I continue to aspire to be the kind of man you are.”
Roger Craig waited 28 years to be inducted at age 66.
“Football gave me everything and helped shape the man I became,” he said in a video that was recorded before the ceremony. He revealed toward the end of his speech that he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia. Earlier, he mentioned teammates Jamie Williams, Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, Dwight Clark and Jerry Rice among others as positive football influences in his taped remarks.
Finally, Adam Vinitieri added some lighter moments when he spoke of former Colts and Patriots teammates such as Peyton Manning, Pat McAfee, Tom Brady, and Drew Bledsoe. Fortunately, his comedic targets took his verbal jabs well. He closed on a serious note by thanking the game of football for giving him purpose, direction, and a life he could never have imagined.
It was another festive Hall of Fame weekend. We at NFL Alumni salute our 100-plus brothers who attended, especially the Fab 5 who were enshrined.
