2014 Hall of Fame Weekend

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Tickets are still available for the 2014 Enshrinement Ceremony and NFL/Hall of Fame Game and can be purchased online through Thursday, July 31 at 5:00 p.m. EDT, or by calling

877-464-9526 or on campus at the Public Will Call located by Gates 1 & 2 at the highway end of Pro Football Hall of Fame Field through the weekend.

Will Call Hours
Friday: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

CLASS OF 2014

The addition of the Class of 2014 will bring to 287 the number of pro football greats who have earned their sport’s highest honor.

Derrick Brooks
Linebacker • 6’0” 232 • Florida State • 1995-2008 Tampa Buccaneers

14 seasons, 224 games • Selected by Buccaneers in 1st round (28th player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft. Never missed game during 14-season career. Started all but three games rookie season. Never missed a start for remainder of career. Earned All-Rookie honors after finishing second on team with 80 tackles. In 1997, led Bucs to first postseason appearance since 1981. Topped team with 182 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 10 passes defensed, earned first of 11 Pro Bowl selections.  With Brooks, Bucs led NFL in total defense twice (2002 and 2005) and topped NFC five times (1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007) during his career. Named NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, 2002 when he again led Tampa Bay with 173 tackles, career-high five interceptions (three returned for TDs), 15 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one sack. Was a major contributor in the Bucs’ victory in Super Bowl XXXVII where he had three tackles, one pass defensed, one interception returned 44 yards for a TD against the Oakland Raiders. Six-time All-Pro choice, named All-NFC eight times. Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. Born April 18, 1973 in Pensacola, Florida.

• Year of Eligibility: 1
• Year as Finalist: 1
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Brooks (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Brooks

• Buccaneers in the Hall of Fame: (3) – DERRICK BROOKS, Warren Sapp, Lee Roy Selmon. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Buccaneers for minor portion of career: Randall McDaniel, Steve Young.
• Linebackers in the Hall of Fame: (24) – Chuck Bednarik (also C), Bobby Bell (also DE), DERRICK BROOKS, Nick Buoniconti, Dick Butkus, Harry Carson, George Connor, Bill George, Jack Ham, Chris Hanburger, Ted Hendricks, Sam Huff, Rickey Jackson (also DE), Jack Lambert, Willie Lanier, Ray Nitschke, Les Richter, Dave Robinson, Joe Schmidt, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Andre Tippett, Dave Wilcox

Staff celebrate another Buccaneer in the Hall

Brooks will be just the third longtime Buccaneers player to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. For the second straight year, the Buccaneers family will be well represented at Hall of Fame Field.

As was the case last year with Warren Sapp’s enshrinement, the team’s Co-Chairmen Bryan Glazer, Joel Glazer, and Edward Glazer have invited staff to take a charter flight from Tampa to Canton and provided tickets to the ceremony. Any person who was a member of the Bucs’ staff during Derrick’s last season in 2008 was invited, along with a guest, to attend the Saturday enshrinement.

Ray Guy  
Punter • 6’3” 195 • Southern Mississippi • 1973-1986 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders

14 seasons, 207 games. All-American, nation’s top collegiate punter, 1972. First punter ever to be selected in first round of draft, picked by Raiders (23rd player overall), 1973. Became impact player from very first game as a rookie. Averaged under 40 yards only one season in NFL career. Had best average (45.3 yards) as rookie. Led NFL in punting, 1974, 1975, 1977. Had only three of 1,049 punts blocked. Career average was 42.4 yards. Had 619 punts without a block, 1979-1986. Veteran of 22 postseason games, adding 111 punts for 42.4 average. All-Pro six straight seasons, 1973-78. All-AFC seven times. Played in seven Pro Bowls, including six straight from 1974 to 1979. Played in seven AFC championship games. Member of Raiders victories in Super Bowls XI, XV, XVIII. Three-game totals: 14 punts, 41.9-yard average. Had 77 punts inside 20-yard line, 1984-86. First punter to hit Louisiana Superdome scoreboard, 1977 Pro Bowl. Doubled as Raiders’ emergency quarterback with strong accurate passing arm. Born December 22, 1949, in Swainsboro, Georgia.

• Year of Eligibility: 23
• Year as Finalist: 8
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Guy (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Guy

• Raiders in the Hall of Fame: (14) – Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff, George Blanda, Willie Brown, Dave Casper, Al Davis, RAY GUY, Mike Haynes, Ted Hendricks, Howie Long, John Madden, Jim Otto, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Raiders for minor portion of career: Bob Brown, Eric Dickerson, James Lofton, Ronnie Lott, Ron Mix, Jerry Rice, Warren Sapp, Rod Woodson.
• Punters (full-time) in the Hall of Fame: (1) – RAY GUY

Claude Humphrey 
Defensive End • 6’4” 252 • Tennessee State • 1968-1978 Atlanta Falcons (inj. – 1975), 1979-1981 Philadelphia Eagles

13 seasons, 171 games • Falcons’ first-round pick (3rd player overall) in 1968 draft • Recorded 11.5 sacks as rookie • Named National Football League Defensive Rookie of the Year, 1968 • Although not official NFL stat until after he retired, Humphrey is credited with 122 career quarterback sacks • Highly effective pass rusher, led team in sacks nine of 13 seasons • Earned first-team All-Pro in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977 • Second-team All-NFL/All-Pro 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977 • Selected to play in six Pro Bowls • Extremely durable, missed just two games prior to season-ending knee injury in 1975 • Rebounded with career-best 15 sacks in 1976 and was named team Most Valuable Player • Traded to Eagles in 1979 for two fourth-round picks following a brief “retirement” • In first year with Eagles, finished second in sacks and his 31 quarterback “hurries” were a team best • In 1980, team high 14.5 sacks helped Eagles advance as NFC champions to Super Bowl XV • Career stats include two interceptions, a fumble recovery for TD, and two safeties • Born June 29, 1944 at Memphis, Tennessee.

• Year of Eligibility: 28
• Year as Finalist: 5
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Humphrey (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Humphrey

• Falcons in the Hall of Fame: (2) – CLAUDE HUMPHREY, Deion Sanders. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Falcons for minor portion of career: Eric Dickerson, Chris Doleman, Tommy McDonald.
• Defensive Ends in the Hall of Fame: (19) – Doug Atkins, Elvin Bethea, Willie Davis, Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Chris Doleman (also LB), Carl Eller, Len Ford, Dan Hampton (also DT), CLAUDE HUMPHREY, David “Deacon” Jones, Howie Long, Gino Marchetti, Andy Robustelli (DE), Lee Roy Selmon, Bruce Smith, MICHAEL STRAHAN, Reggie White, Jack Youngblood

Walter Jones 
Tackle •  6’5” 300 • Holmes Comm. College (MS); Florida State • 1997-2008 Seattle Seahawks

12 seasons, 180 games • Drafted in 1st round (6th player overall) of 1997 NFL Draft • Seahawks traded up to select Jones as sixth overall pick • Ability on football field was evident from start • Earned starting left tackle spot during rookie training camp, named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month in October, and a consensus pick for multiple all-rookie teams • Provided blindside protection for quarterback Warren Moon as Seahawks topped NFL in total passing yards that season • Following 1999 season, Jones became first offensive lineman in Seahawks history elected to Pro Bowl • First of team-record nine All-Star nods • In 2001 was recognized with first selection as first-team All-Pro • Highlights included Jones and line mates opening holes for Shaun Alexander’s 266-yard day that, at time, was fourth highest single-game rushing total in NFL history • Earned All-Pro honors five more times (2002, 2004-07) • A team leader, Jones was integral part of Alexander’s MVP season in 2005 • Jones helped his running back chalk up a franchise-record and league-high 1,880 yards while establishing the then NFL mark for touchdowns in a season (28) as Seattle led the NFL in scoring with 452 points • Jones’ team-record 10 playoff starts included 2005 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XL • Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s • Born January 19, 1974 in Aliceville, Alabama.

• Year of Eligibility: 1
• Year as Finalist: 1
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Jones (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Jones

• Seahawks in the Hall of Fame: (3) – WALTER JONES, Cortez Kennedy, Steve Largent. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Seahawks for minor portion of career: Carl Eller, Franco Harris, Warren Moon, John Randle, Jerry Rice
• Tackles in the Hall of Fame: (21) – Bob Brown, Roosevelt Brown, Lou Creekmur (also G), Dan Dierdorf, Forrest Gregg (also G), Lou Groza (Also PK), Stan Jones (also G, DT), WALTER JONES, Bruce Matthews (also G, C), Mike McCormack, Ron Mix, Anthony Muñoz, Jonathan Ogden, Jim Parker (also G), Willie Roaf, Bob St. Clair, Art Shell, Jackie Slater, Rayfield Wright, Ron Yary, Gary Zimmerman.

Andre Reed 
Wide Receiver • 6’2” 190 • Kutztown • 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000 Washington Redskins

16 seasons, 234 games • Selected by Buffalo in 4th round (86th player overall) of 1985 NFL Draft • Most prolific receiver in Buffalo Bills history • His 941 career receptions still Bills record and 266 more than number two on that list • His 13,095 career reception yardage, 36 games with 100-plus receiving yards, and 15 catches in a game are current team records • Known for his “yards after catch” • His 951 career receptions were third all-time in NFL history at the time of his retirement • His 13 seasons, including nine consecutive, with 50-plus receptions was exceeded only by Jerry Rice at time of Reed’s retirement • Reed is tied with Bills running back Thurman Thomas for team best career touchdowns (87), most on passes from Jim Kelly • Kelly-Reed tandem held NFL record for career receptions (663) until 2004 when eclipsed by Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison • Known for toughness as he made most of his receptions over the middle • A four-time All-AFC choice and three-time All-NFL second-team, was selected to play in seven consecutive Pro Bowls (1989-1995) • Added an additional 85 catches for 1,229 yards, including five 100-yard games in postseason play • Born January 29, 1964 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

• Year of Eligibility: 9
• Year as Finalist: 8
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Reed (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Reed

• Bills in the Hall of Fame: (9) – Joe DeLamielleure, Jim Kelly, Marv Levy, ANDRE REED, Billy Shaw, O.J. Simpson, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Jr. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Bills for minor portion of career: James Lofton.
• Wide Receivers in the Hall of Fame: (23) – Lance Alworth, Raymond Berry, Fred Biletnikoff,  Cris Carter, Tom Fears, Bob Hayes, Elroy Hirsch (also HB), Michael Irvin, Charlie Joiner, Steve Largent, Dante Lavelli, James Lofton, Don Maynard, Tommy McDonald, Bobby Mitchell (also HB)         , Art Monk, Pete Pihos, ANDRE REED, Jerry Rice, John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, Charley Taylor (also HB), Paul Warfield.

Michael Strahan
Defensive End • 6’5” 255 • Texas Southern • 1993-2007 New York Giants

15 seasons, 216 games • Selected in 2nd round (40th player overall) in 1993 draft • Dominant pass rusher and also excellent at defending the run • Recorded 141.5 career sacks • Had 38 multi-sack games during career • Registered double-digit sack totals six times during nine-season span, 1997-2005 • Suffered torn pectoral muscle in 2004 but rebounded following season by starting all 16 games and amassing 11.5 sacks • Named first-team All-Pro five times (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005) • All-NFC five seasons • Voted to seven Pro Bowls • Set NFL single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks, 2001 • Also won NFL sack title in 2003 with 18.5 sacks • Named unanimous NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2001 • Started at left defensive end in two NFC championship game wins, two Super Bowls • Recorded two tackles, one assisted tackle, one sack and one pass defensed in Giants’ 17-14 win over Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, his last NFL game • Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s • Born November 21, 1971 in Houston, Texas.

• Year of Eligibility: 2
• Year as Finalist: 2
  
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Strahan (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Strahan

• Giants in the Hall of Fame: (20) – Morris “Red” Badgro, Roosevelt Brown, Harry Carson, Benny Friedman, Frank Gifford, Mel Hein, Sam Huff, Alphonse “Tuffy” Leemans, Tim Mara, Wellington Mara, Steve Owen, Bill Parcells, Andy Robustelli, MICHAEL STRAHAN, Ken Strong, Fran Tarkenton, Lawrence Taylor, Y.A. Tittle, Emlen Tunnell, Arnie Weinmeister. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Giants for minor portion of career: Larry Csonka, Ray Flaherty, Joe Guyon, Wilbur “Pete” Henry, Arnie Herber, Cal Hubbard, Don Maynard, Hugh McElhenny, Jim Thorpe.
• Defensive Ends in the Hall of Fame: (19) – Doug Atkins, Elvin Bethea, Willie Davis, Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Chris Doleman (also LB), Carl Eller, Len Ford, Dan Hampton (also DT), CLAUDE HUMPHREY, David “Deacon” Jones, Howie Long, Gino Marchetti, Andy Robustelli (DE), Lee Roy Selmon, Bruce Smith, MICHAEL STRAHAN, Reggie White, Jack Youngblood

Aeneas Williams 
Cornerback/Safety • 5’11” 194 • Southern University • 1991-2000 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 2001-04 St. Louis Rams

14 seasons, 211 games • Selected in the 3rd round (59th player overall) of 1991 NFL Draft • Starred at cornerback for first 12 years of career before moving to safety • Earned Pro Bowl nods at both positions, seven times at cornerback and once as safety • Had first career pick and four deflected passes in NFL debut • Finished year tied for most interceptions in NFC with six, also recorded 17 passes defensed, 48 tackles • Named NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year by NFL Players Association • Earned Pro Bowl nod and All-NFC acclaim for first time in 1994 when he added another conference interception title with career-high nine interceptions • Named first-team All-NFC 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2001 • Selected to NFL’s All-Decade Team 1990s • Recorded interception in every season but last and had five or more picks in a season six times • Led Cardinals in interceptions seven times and Rams leading interceptor in 2003 • In all, registered 55 interceptions for 807 yards • His nine pick-sixes tied him for second all-time at time of retirement • Shared NFL record for longest fumble return in upset victory over Redskins Nov. 5, 2000, 104 yards for a TD • Recorded interception in record four straight postseason games during span from 1998 to 2001 • Born January 29, 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

• Year of Eligibility: 5
• Year as Finalist: 3
• Full Hall of Fame coverage of Williams (Bio, Infographics, Videos, Photos)

ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/class-of-2014.aspx#Williams

• Cardinals in the Hall of Fame: (12) – Charles Bidwill, Jimmy Conzelman, Dan Dierdorf, John “Paddy” Driscoll, Dick “Night Train” Lane, Ollie Matson, Ernie Nevers, Jackie Smith, Charley Trippi, Roger Wehrli, AENEAS WILLIAMS, Larry Wilson. Other Hall of Famers who spent time with Cardinals for minor portion of career: Guy Chamberlin, Walt Kiesling, Earl “Curly” Lambeau, Don Maynard, Emmitt Smith, Jim Thorpe.
• Defensive Backs in the Hall of Fame: (24) – Herb Adderley (CB), Lem Barney (CB), Mel Blount (CB), Willie Brown (CB), Jack Butler (CB), Jack Christiansen (S), Darrell Green (CB), Mike Haynes (CB), Ken Houston (S), Jimmy Johnson (CB), Paul Krause (S), Dick “Night Train” Lane (CB), Yale Lary (S), Dick LeBeau (CB), Ronnie Lott (CB-S), Mel Renfro (CB-S), Deion Sanders (CB, also KR-PR), Emmitt Thomas (CB), Emlen Tunnell (S), Roger Wehrli (CB), Aeneas Williams (CB-FS), Larry Wilson (S), Willie Wood (S), Rod Woodson (CB-S) 1987-2003

PRESENTERS FOR CLASS OF 2014

The presenters for this year’s class include one daughter, two sons, a father, a friend and colleague, and two Hall of Fame coaches.

• Derrick Brooks - Decalon Brooks, Derrick’s son
• Ray Guy - John Madden, Ray’s former head coach
• Claude Humphrey - Cheyenne Humphrey-Robinson, Claude’s daughter
• Walter Jones - Walterius Jones, Walter’s son
• Andre Reed - Marv Levy, Andre’s former head coach
• Michael Strahan - Jay Glazer, Michael’s friend and colleague
• Aeneas Williams - Lawrence Williams, Aeneas’s father

Quotable:

“We’ve been brothers for a long time; we’ve been friends for more than half of our lives. I don’t think it hit me until the last month or so. How amazing is it that when someone gets enshrined into eternity in football, they ask you to come along for the ride? That’s without a doubt the highlight of my career.” – Jay Glazer who will present friend and colleague Michael Strahan

Notable:

•  Cheyenne Humphrey-Robinson will be just the third daughter ever to serve as a presenter (Jessica Elway, 2004 and Mercedes Sapp, 2013 are the others).

•  Feature: Class of 2014 presenters: ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/2014/7/17/class-of-2014-presenters/
•  All-time list of presenters: ProFootballHOF.com/hof/Presenters.aspx

MEDIA AVAILABILITY DURING HOF WEEKEND

The members of the Class of 2014 will be available for media interviews on Friday, Aug. 1 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The media availability will take place near the main lobby of McKinley High School inside the Media Center. Please note that there is no parking on the Hall of Fame grounds. Media should park in LOT C near the Media Center. ANY ENSHRINEMENT WEEKEND CREDENTIAL MAY BE USED TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO THIS PRESS CONFERENCE.

A number of returning Hall of Famers – Willie Brown, Harry Carson, Curley Culp, Steve Largent and Jan Stenerud – will be made available to the media from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. in the same general area. Please refer to the Hall of Fame’s media website for the most current listing. www.ProFootballHOF.com/media  (Log-in: canton).

Also, on Friday at 1:30 p.m., representatives for from Kay® Jewelers and Haggar will be made available to discuss the intricacies of designing and creating two of the iconic physical symbols of being elected to the Hall, the Ring of Excellence and Hall of Fame Gold Jacket respectively. Samples of the Ring of Excellence and Hall of Fame Gold Jacket will be on display during this time. Fact sheets about the Ring of Excellence and Hall of Fame Gold Jacket are posted at ProFootballHOF.com/media (log-in: canton).

100-PLUS GOLD JACKETS

More than 100 Gold Jackets (Hall of Famers) will be on hand for the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. The number of Hall of Famers represents the highest total on hand for an Enshrinement Weekend other than special reunion years in 2000, 2003, and 2013.

• The most up-to-date list can be found at: ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/2014/7/17/2014-gold-jackets/

Group Photo on Hall’s Front Steps

Fans on the Hall of Fame campus to celebrate the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival will experience a special treat on Friday morning when more than 100 “Gold Jackets” (returning Hall of Famers) pose for a group photo in front of the Hall’s main entrance. The photo will be taken at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Friday, August 1.

The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend and capture the spectacular moment at no charge. A reserved section for media will be in place for the photo. Any credential issue for the weekend will allow for access to this area.

NFL LEGENDS
The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival draws large crowds of fans that include many celebrities. The 2014 Hall of Fame Weekend is no different as a long list of NFL Legends will attend the Enshrinement ceremony to witness the enshrinement of seven new members into pro football’s most exclusive club. A sampling of NFL Legends in town for the 2014 festivities include quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Chad Pennington, wide receiver Dwight Clark, tackle Orlando Pace, running backs Shaun Alexander, Warrick Dunn, and receiver/returner Rocket Ismail, safety Jeff Nixon, guard Will Shields, and linebacker Mike Merriweather.

NFL Punters flock to Canton to support Hall’s first punter

NFL Legend Bryan Barker led the charge to rally a group of nearly 20 former NFL punters to travel to Canton to pay tribute to Ray Guy, the Hall’s first fulltime punter. Among the group joining Barker areDarren Bennett, Greg Coleman, Jeff Feagles, Jeff Gossett, John Kidd, and Sean Landeta.

11 PROJECT

On Friday, July 31 at 4:00 p.m., the first sculpture as part of a citywide art project featuring the 11 Greatest Moments in NFL History as identified in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 50th Anniversary Book: Where Greatness Lives will be unveiled. The unveiling takes place at the location of where the NFL was founded on Sept. 17, 1920.

This is a photo/video opportunity only. Attending the unveiling will be Hall of Fame President David Baker and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell along with artist Michael Clapper from Denver Colo.

ENSHRINEES’ GOLD JACKET DINNER

The first of three iconic physical Symbols of Excellence representing one’s election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame – the Hall of Fame Gold Jacket – will be bestowed on the Class of 2014 on Friday, August 1. For the first time ever, the Gold Jacket Dinner at Canton’s Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network.

The Class of 2014 will be presented their distinctive Hall of Fame Gold Jacket, created by Haggar, during the emotional ceremony attended by 4,500 fans of the Game. Each enshrinee will be introduced through a gauntlet of more than 100 Gold Jackets (Hall of Famers) as they make way to center stage where they are joined by their presenter to receive their Gold Jacket.

The 2014 Gold Jacket Dinner will be emceed by NFL Network’s Rich Eisen. NFL Network’s Stacey Dales provides behind the scenes and backstage access. Dales will also conduct one-on-one interviews with various incoming and returning Gold Jackets throughout the entirety of the one-hour special.

2014 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT

The enshrinement of the seven members of the Class of 2014 bring the total number of Hall of Fame members to 287. The spectacular Enshrinement ceremony takes place at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. EDT.

Hall of Fame Tight End Jackie Smith to Sing National Anthem

Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith won’t just be on stage as one of the 100-plus “Gold Jackets” returning to welcome the Class of 2014. He’ll take center stage prior to the Enshrinement to sing the national anthem.

He shared, during the Hall of Fame’s first ever Fan Fest held in May, about how he attended tiny Kentwood (La.) High School. Because of the small student body, Smith not only starred on the football team but also played in the school’s marching band. He relayed the story of how he would, at halftime, take off his helmet, jersey, and shoulder pads and changed into his band uniform and grab his clarinet to perform.

Smith, who retired in 1978 as the NFL’s all-time receiving leader among tight ends, told Hall of Fame President David Baker that he still maintains a love for music and that singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Hall of Fame has always been on his “bucket list.”

Shortly thereafter, the Hall of Fame extended an invitation to the 74-year-old Smith to sing the national anthem at the Enshrinement Ceremony and he quickly accepted.

NFL Network & ESPN on Board for Next Seven Years

The annual Enshrinement ceremony is nationally televised by two networks, NFL Network and ESPN. Recent long-term agreements, including a deal announced this week with ESPN, will assure fans can tune in to see the Enshrinement live on both networks through 2020.

2014 coverage

Since 1995, ESPN has televised the Enshrinement Ceremony when each new class of legendary players, coaches and contributors is officially welcomed into the Hall of Fame. This year’s ceremony – ESPN’s 20th consecutive – will be televised Saturday, August 2, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 (and WatchESPN).

Trey Wingo will host ESPN’s coverage from Canton with NFL analysts Tom Jackson and Chris Mortensen and reporter Sal Paolantonio, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee.

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman – who received the distinguished Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 – will again emcee the ceremony, a position he has been honored to hold since 1999.

NFL Network begins airing the pre-show to the 2014 Pro Football Enshrinement Ceremony at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Featured in a roundtable discussion will be Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin as they discuss a variety of topics in relation to the Hall of Fame. NFL Network will go live from Canton for the 2014 Enshrinement Ceremony.

THREE MEMBERS OF ’14 CLASS FROM HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES

Three of the seven enshrinees of the Class of 2014 hail from historically black colleges – Claude Humphrey (Tennessee State), Michael Strahan (Texas Southern) and Aeneas Williams (Southern University).

Pro Football Hall of Famers from Historically Black Colleges:

Lem Barney (Jackson State)

Elvin Bethea (North Carolina AT&T)

Mel Blount (Southern University)

Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State)

Willie Brown (Grambling)

Buck Buchanan (Grambling)

Harry Carson (South Carolina State)

Willie Davis (Grambling)

Richard Dent (Tennessee State)

Len Ford (Morgan State)

Bob Hayes Florida A&M)

Ken Houston (Prairie View A&M)

CLAUDE HUMPHREY (Tennessee State) Charlie Joiner (Grambling)

Deacon Jones (South Carolina State)

Leroy Kelly (Morgan State)

Willie Lanier (Morgan State)

Larry Little (Bethune-Cookman)

Marion Motley (South Carolina State) Walter Payton (Jackson State)

Jerry Rice (Mississippi State)

Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State)

Art Shell (Maryland State)

Jackie Slater (Jackson State)

John Stallworth (Alabama A&M)

MICHAEL STRAHAN (Texas Southern)

Emmitt Thomas (Bishop)

AENEAS WILLIAMS (Southern)

Rayfield Wright (Fort Valley State)

Tennessee State and Texas Southern Marching Bands Bringing Music to Canton
Claude Humphrey and Michael Strahan’s alma maters will bring a unique sound to the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival. The marching bands from Tennessee State and Texas Southern will perform throughout the weekend in Canton.

The Tennessee State marching band returns to the Hall of Fame city for the second in three years. There was one particular Hall of Famer who is especially looking forward to the band’s music.

Class of 1986 enshrinee Willie Lanier, the first African American middle linebacker in pro football history, recently convened a story about hearing the music of Tennessee State.

It was during the 2011 festivities that Lanier sauntered up to the stands along the Hall of Fame parade route and sat to experience the event from a fan’s perspective.

“In the distance, I started hearing a sound I had never heard in Canton before and it was black college football,” Lanier conveyed. “It was really joyful for me.

“There’s a sound, a style, and a rhythm to black college football that is pleasing to my ear because I’m used to hearing it,” he continued. “To have two of their bands here to perform, I think it just adds to reality of the sport, the contributions of many of the players from historically black colleges.

“I know I will look at my schedule and go out and sit and appreciate as much of that as I can.”

Both bands will perform in the parade on Saturday morning. The Texas Southern University’s “Ocean of Soul Band” will also entertain fans attending numerous fan parties on the Hall of Fame campus and play for the crowd entering Pro Football Hall of Fame Field for Saturday’s enshrinement ceremony.

Tennessee State’s Aristocrat of Bands will entertain fans with a high-energy halftime performance at the NFL/Hall of Fame Game. The show will feature two of the school’s famous alumni, Pro Football Hall of Famers Richard Dent and Claude Humphrey.

SPECIAL AWARDS PRESENTATIONS

Three special awards are presented annually during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame that recognizes “long-time exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football: Bob Trumpy. He will receive his award during the Enshrinement.

Quotable:
“In addition to being a former player and having a great set of pipes, what made Bob great was that he was never afraid to give his opinion. He did his homework and had a great passion for the sport. Bob’s one of the few guys who could talk about the game as well as he played it. This honor is well deserved.” - Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports & NBCSN, who worked with Trumpy in the 1980s and 1990s.

Notable:
Trumpy’s NFL broadcast partners have included: Dick Enberg, Don Criqui, Bob Costas, Jay Randolph, Charlie Jones, Marv Albert, Dan Hicks, Joel Myers, Bryant Gumbel, Ahmad Rashad, Phil Simms, and Paul Maguire.

•  Full story: ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/2014/7/8/bob-trumpy-named-rozelle-award-winner/

Dick McCann Award which is presented by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) for long and distinguished contribution to pro football through print media coverage: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He will receive his award during the Enshrinement.

Notable:

Bouchette’s first beat at the Post-Gazette was the only season of the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers in 1984. He moved to the Steelers’ beat in 1985, and the 2014 season will be his 30th covering the club for the Post-Gazette. He has covered 30 Super Bowls during his career, five of them involving the Steelers.

Quotable:

“My congratulations to Ed Bouchette on receiving this significant award from his peers with the Pro Football Writers Association of America. Ed is one of the true professional sports writers in the NFL and he has always been fair in his writing and reporting. He is very worthy of receiving this award.” – Dan Rooney, Chairman – Pittsburgh Steelers (Hall of Fame, Class of 2000)

•  Full story: ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/2014/6/18/ed-bouchette-named-winner-of-mccann-award/

Mark Hoffman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel won the Dave Boss Award of Excellence for his entry in the 46th Annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest. His photo titled “Not Gonna Be Denied” was selected by a panel of judges as the Photograph of the Year for the 2013 National Football League Season. Hoffman will receive his award at the GameDay Roundtable on Sunday, August 3.

•  Images of winning shots and audio of photographers describing winning photos can be found at: ProFootballHOF.com/hall/photo-contest.aspx

HALL OF FAMERS JOIN LOCAL YOUTH IN CEREMONIAL KICKOFF EVENT

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Weekend is officially kicked off by a youth-oriented event called First Play on Thursday, July 31. First Play features nearly 1,500 children as they toss an official NFL football from one participant to the next along a three-mile route. The route begins at the location in downtown Canton where the NFL was founded nearly a century ago on Sept. 17, 1920 and concludes at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Joining the young participants along the route will be Hall of Famers Elvin Bethea, Joe DeLamielleure, and James Lofton. All three Gold Jackets will walk the entire route.

HALL OF FAME AMBASSADORS MAKE COMMUNITY VISITS

Each year, huge numbers of Hall of Famers return to Canton to participate in the many civic events surrounding the annual Enshrinement Ceremony. In addition to participating in all of the tightly scheduled “official” events many take time out of their busy schedule to serve as Hall of Fame Ambassadors and pay a visit to a local charity or community group. Please refer to the media site for the most-up-date schedule of Hall of Famer appearances. ProFootballHOF.com/media (Log-in: canton).

ENSHRINEES GAMEDAY ROUNDTABLE

The 2014 Class of Enshrinees will be on center stage on Sunday, Aug. 3 for this no-holds-barred roundtable discussion moderated by Hall of Famer and Westwood One Sports football analyst James Lofton. A fan-favorite event, the newest additions to the Hall of Fame honor roll reflect on their careers, their just completed enshrinement ceremony and anything else they want to share with the 4,000 admiring on-lookers in attendance.

THE NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME: GIANTS vs. BILLS

The National Football League’s 95th season kicks off at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field as the New York Giants (visitor) and Buffalo Bills (home) open the preseason on Sunday, August 3 at 8 p.m. EDT.

Two members of the Class of 2014 have ties to the participating teams. Andre Reed spent 15 of his 16 seasons with the Bills from 1985-1999 and remains Buffalo’s all-time leading receiver. Michael Strahanplayed his entire 15-season career with New York and capped his playing days with a Giants’ victory in Super Bowl XLII.

Giants in Hall of Fame Game
Aug. 11, 1962 – vs. St. Louis Cardinals (T, 21-21)
July 29, 1972 – vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 17-23)
Aug. 3, 1985 – vs. Houston Oilers (W, 21-20)
Aug. 5, 2002 – vs. Houston Texans (W, 34-17)

Bills in Hall of Fame Game
July 27, 1974 – vs. St. Louis Cardinals (L, 13-21)
Aug. 5, 1989 – vs. Washington Redskins (L, 6-31)
Aug. 9, 2009 – vs. Tennessee Titans (L, 18-21)

Notable:
The Giants played in the first-ever Hall of Fame Game in 1962, one year before the Hall opened.

National broadcasts

Television: NBC’s “Sunday Night Football”

Calling Bills-Giants from Pro Football Hall of Fame Field in Canton, Ohio is seven-time Emmy Award-winner Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his 29th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 15-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth, who has won the Emmy for Outstanding Event Analyst in each of his five seasons in the Sunday Night Football booth; and sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, who won her second Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Reporter for her work during the 2013 SNF season. Last summer as part of Hall of Fame Weekend, Michaels was honored with the Pete Rozelle Radio & Television Award for “longtime exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football.

Radio: Westwood One Sports

Westwood One Sports will once again broadcast the Hall of Fame Game, the 13th consecutive time it will be heard nationally on radio.
Scott Graham and Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton will describe all the action between the Bills and Giants, and will be joined in the booth throughout the game by the 2014 enshrinees.

Jason Horowitz hosts the pregame and halftime portions of the broadcast. Westwood One’s coverage can be heard on over 300 stations nationwide, on SiriusXM Satellite Radio, online at nfl.com/audiopassand on NFL Mobile from Verizon.

Locally, the game can be heard on WRQK 106.9 in Canton, WARF 1350 in Akron and WKRK 92.3 in Cleveland. Westwood One has been the exclusive national radio rights holder to the NFL since 1987.

Kelly, Carson to serve as honorary captains

Two Hall of Famers, Jim Kelly and Harry Carson, will represent their teams at the coin toss before the kickoff of the 2014 NFL/Hall of Fame Game between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.

Quotable:

“I have always said that God willing, I will be back in Canton every summer. This year especially, I am so thankful that I can be on hand to share in a great weekend that shines the spotlight on the Buffalo Bills. There isn’t a person more deserving of joining the Hall of Fame than my teammate and friend Andre Reed.

It is also a great honor for me to represent the Bills organization at the coin toss to kick off the season,” the Bills’ legendary quarterback continued. “The entire experience will bring back many great memories from 2002 when so many of the Bills family – fans, players, and staff – joined me in Canton for one of the most memorable times of my life.” - Jim Kelly

Notable:
Carson, a longtime captain of the Giants, described the coin toss at Super Bowl XXI as the most memorable moment of his Hall of Fame career.
Video: ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/2014/7/24/jim-kelly-harry-carson-to-participate-in-coin-toss/

Famous debuts
The highest picked wide receiver in the 2014 NFL Draft, Sammy Watkins of the Bills will see his first NFL game action at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field.

Notable:
Many notable players have made their NFL debuts in the annual Hall of Fame Game including three future Hall of Famers – Chis Hanburger (1965), Jack Youngblood (1971) and John Hannah (1973). A sampling of prominent players who debuted in Canton include: Jeff Van Note (Falcons, 1969), Joe Klecko (Jets, 1977), Steve Tasker and Mike Golic (Oilers, 1985), Mark Bavaro (Giants, 1985), Christian Okoye (Chiefs, 1987), Willie “Flipper” Anderson (Ramns, 1988), Herman Moore (Lions, 1991), Marvin Harrson, (Colts, 1996), Hines Ward (Steelers, 1998), and Tom Brady (Patriots, 2000).

Quotable:

“I’m definitely excited for the opportunity to experience my pro debut at the Hall of Fame Game. It was one of the first things I noticed when I looked at the schedule after being drafted by the Bills. Growing up a Bills fan, the chance to play in Canton on the same weekend that Andre Reed gets inducted into the Hall will be surreal.” – Wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Bills’ first-round draft pick

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME FESTIVAL

While many Hall of Fame cities help stage an induction ceremony and a sporting event, only Canton has turned the yearly enshrinement into a gala multi-day festival that includes 23 events enjoyed by nearly 700,000 people. Festival events ranging from the hot air balloon excitement of the Balloon Classic/Jackson-Belden Food Fest and Fireworks, to the Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner surround and enhance the “main event,” the Enshrinement Ceremony. A full Festival schedule can be found at ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/festivalschedule.aspx

Enshrinement Central

A full guide to the spectacular 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival can be found on the Hall’s website. The section features content on the Class of 2014, schedules, award winners, the Hall of Fame’s midway, entertainment, stadium entry rules, ticket information, and details on parking. ProFootballHOF.com/enshrinement/