Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductions

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CANTON (Ohio) — Sunday’s closing ceremony of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2021 class was closed by three first-year players at Tom Benson Stadium.

Seven class members took the stage during the event, including Calvin Johnson, Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson. All three of them were chosen for induction in the first year of eligibility. This was the ninth consecutive year that at least one ex-player has been inshrined during his first year of eligibility.

This celebration followed the success of Saturday’s enshrinement ceremonyFeaturing Edgerin James, Troy Polamalu and other former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson.

These are highlights of Sunday’s speech by the new Hall of Famers. They also shared their thoughts on social media, and received congratulatory messages and messages of support from former teammates, rivals and family members.

Sunday speakers

Drew Pearson wide receiverDallas Cowboys(1973-1983)

The résumé:Former college quarterback, who was an undrafted rookie wide receiver for the Cowboys. He was also the first-team selection to All-Decade Team of 1970s. However, he has not yet been inducted into the Hall of Fame. His career, like many other senior finalists had to be viewed in context of the era. He was the leader in the league with 870 yards and 58 catches between 1976 and 1977. Three-time All-Pro, his average catch was at least 17 yards in each of five seasons. He also played in four of his five first years in the league.

It was his words:“I had one of the largest Afros in NFL history” [pointed to bust] … It is now official: the waiting is over. Original No. Pro Football Hall of Fame. … You know what? Strong hearts keep on going, and that is why you see me here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s been a journey. It was a long, difficult, and exhausting journey. I am… I made it my own way. It wasn’t an easy task. These legs were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [pulled up trouser legs for crowd]”

Tom Flores (Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders 1979-87; Seattle Seahawks1992-94

The résumé:Flores, a pro-football player, coach assistant, and head coach has earned four Super Bowl rings as well one AFL title. Flores, Mike Ditka (Hall of Famer) are the only two people from NFL history to have won Super Bowls as assistant coaches or head coaches. Two Super Bowl victories and an 8-3 record in the postseason for a winning percentage of.727 were his experiences with Raiders. This ranks him just behind Vince Lombardi.

It was his words:“The reason that I’m here, and the reason why I’m second tonight in the program is I’m at 84 frappin’ years of age. That means I need to get to sleep by 9 o’clock. My pillow is missing. … The first house we lived in had no indoor plumbing and dirt floors. You can read more about it here. [In 1960]It was just us guys, without any home stadium. Most of our guys did not know Oakland so I had to show them. Passion was what drove me to the stage tonight. You can read more about it here. Professional football is only possible because of the passion you show. “… We’re now all part of one team on this stage. A team made up of gold jackets.”

Peyton Manning, quarterback (Indianapolis Colts1998-2011 Denver Broncos(2012-15).

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Peyton Manning delivers a Hall of Fame speech.

The résumé:Manning is one of the best-known players in the league. Manning won five MVP awards, 14 Pro Bowl selections, and seven first-team All Pro titles. Manning also won two Super Bowls. He held the NFL’s records for passing touchdowns (539) and passing yards (71,940), as well as quarterback starts won (186, which was tied with Brett Favre). The single-season records for 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, which he established in 2013, with the Broncos are still valid.

It was said by him:“Tonight’s speech is the epitome of hurry and urgency. Ray [Lewis]Just finished his 2018 speech. The speech was given in 2018 and he just finished it. It’s a great privilege to work with Johnny Unitas, Slingin’ Sammy Baugh and other members of the team. Father, I couldn’t ask for a better person to be here than you. My gratitude goes out to Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts and all of them. Pat Bowlen and the Bowlen families, as well as the Denver Broncos, I am grateful that you gave me a chance at such a critical time in my life. It is something I will always remember. I will never forget it. It is up to us to create the future. We just have to look at tomorrow as if it were our game. God Bless You and God Bless Football!

John Lynch, Safety (Tampa Bay Buccaneers1993-2003 Denver Broncos2004-07

The résumé:It San Francisco 49ersThe general manager, a nine-time Pro Bowl player selection, and twice-time All Pro selection on the first team as well as being a Super Bowl champion. He was a highly-regarded baseball prospect and was once selected by the Marlins in the second round. He went on to become one of the best NFL safeties. Eight seasons with 80 tackles, three of which were over 100, included 2006’s 84 tackles at the age of 35.

It was said by him:“What an honor. “What a humbling honor. It has not been an easy journey to the Hall of Fame. After waiting eight years, I was finally able to enter the Hall of Fame. [Hall of Fame president]David Baker informs me that Peyton Manning is following him; David, thanks! … I got a phone call from Bill Walsh, the great late Bill Walsh, saying that he had seen our defense last year. He said: “John, I saw your defense and thought you were the best. You can become a Pro Bowl safety.” Herm [Edwards]You were the one who also told me that I might be able to get a bust in Canton someday, but I had to believe it. It’s a good thing that you believe it. Football is a game where we discover that we are only as strong and as weak as our weakest links. We all come from different backgrounds, yet when we gather together, we can work as one team.

Calvin Johnson wide receiverDetroit Lions(2007-15).

The résumé:Johnson was a six-time Pro Bowl pick. In 2012, he was within 36 yards of being the first NFL receiver to surpass 2,000 receiving yards. In nine years of his career Johnson was able to catch touchdown passes from six different quarterbacks. During his nine-year career, he was the NFL’s leader in receiving yards (1,619) and receiving TDs (83), as well as receiving yards per games (86.1), 100 yards (46), 200 yards (five), and multiple receiving touchdowns (17).

It was said by him:“Trying to maintain my emotions under control here, so all of you can chill out. You all know that I don’t have a lot of words. But I do my best to make them count. I am… It began to affect my health and quality of my life. It was difficult to bear the pain. It was okay with me because it meant that I could enjoy every second of the game. It was a great experience. Many people are in great pain at the moment. I would like to talk to them for a minute, and let you know that I am there to help. Lions and Detroit fans. When we were between 0-16 years old, you didn’t stop showing up. Your unconditional love for me and my family was unwavering. You are my family. This is it [pointed to bust]This is a great thing.”

Alan Faneca, guard (Pittsburgh Steelers1998-2007 New York Jets(2008), 09/09. Arizona Cardinals(2010, p.

The résumé:Faneca’s athleticism and versatility was such that he was unable to make the first-team All Pro selections because his team required him to be left tackle during much of 2003. Faneca was both a nine time Pro Bowl selection and six-time First-Team All-Pro. He is also one of only 12 Guards to have been a first team All-Pro at least six times in league history — all the rest were already enshrined by Canton. In his thirteen seasons, his teams were amongst the top five league rushing units six times and led the league two times.

It was his words:Perhaps gratitude is the most powerful word. I am grateful. I’ve always believed and said that epilepsy was a part of me. But it doesn’t define me. You are responsible for your destiny. Resilience is key. Everybody gets knocked around in life. It’s what we do when we rise from the ashes that is important. It’s how we get up that matters. Without all my colleagues, you would never see me here. You are standing beside me tonight, my brothers. Julie, my gorgeous wife, you are my champion.”

Charles WoodsonCornerback/Safety, Oakland Raiders 1998-2005, 2013-15 Green Bay Packers2006-12

The résumé:Woodson was nine times a Pro Bowl selection. He was also a Defensive Roster of the Year (1998) as well as Defensive Player Of The Year (2009) during his entire career. Woodson became the first NFL player with at least 50 interceptions. He also had 20 sacks. Woodson’s 65 career interceptions were tied for fifth in NFL history. Woodson led the league’s interceptions in 2009, when he was 33 years old. He tied for second in 2011, with seven.

It was said by him:My mama is the best person to help you find it. It’s… She was a very strong, independent child. I remember watching her as a kid get up every morning and make her hands work to ensure she had enough to feed her family. People say that a woman cannot raise a man. I refer to bulls —.. You can’t raise a man by a woman. [To his children]You will understand the reason grown men are standing up and crying. You should love your mother as I do mine. You can do it! Anyone who loves the game of football that I played, please stand. You and I did this together. Keep standing. You can do it together, me and you. I truly believe that when I tell you, “when I go into, all of us go in”, I am referring to my whole heart. You can build your legend, thank you, we in the Hall of Fame. Your legend will be built, and we thank you.

The posthumous honor of one class member from 2021 was given, his bust displayed on stage while a tribute video played on stadium’s TV boards.

Bill Nunn is a scout/personnel executive(*)( (1970-2014)Pittsburgh SteelersThe résumé:

Nunn joined the Steelers in part-time as a scout, while also serving as sports editor for the Pittsburgh Courier. In league history, Nunn was first to tell an NFL team the value of long-term scouting at historically Black universities and colleges. Nunn was most likely in the Hall of Fame because of his role in the Steelers 1974 Draft. The Steelers then selected four future Hall of Famers: Lynn Swann (John Stallworth), Jack Lambert, and Mike Webster. The Steelers signed safety Donnie Shell, a fifth potential Hall of Famer as an undrafted rookie. The Steelers had 11 future Hall of Famers draft during Nunn’s tenure. Shell was not included.Photos, videos, and other information about Class of 2021

John Lynch said that Linda Lynch wrote him a note prior to every game. She was there at every single one. It calmed him, he said.He said it calmed him. ❤️

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• Peyton Manning changed QB’ing forever
• Inside Calvin Johnson‘s 329-yard game
• Troy Polamalu‘s bond with Bill Cowher
• Edgerrin James‘ legacy tied to HBCUs
• J. Johnson: ‘How ’bout them Cowboys?’
• Charles Woodson‘s legendary path in NFL
• Winston Hill, Joe Namath’s friendship
• Get to know this year’s HOF classes

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