Last weekend was filled with all sorts of events that represented the nature of being a Hall of Famer. This years’ 2015 Hall of Famers inductees included Junior Seau, Jerome Bettis, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff, Ron Wolf and Bill Polian. All of these fine athletes had a heck of a career and deserved to be inducted in the 2015 Hall of Fame class.
On Friday there was a fashion luncheon where football players and there families were invited to enjoy a day filled with fashion, while eating some scrumptious food. Players who are noted for attendance were Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Michael Irvin, and others. On Saturday there was an autograph session in which fans got the chance to meet the Hall of Famers and converse with them for a few minutes.
Many of the fans were delighted to get autographs and actually hold a conversation with some of the players. One fan had announced that it was very cool to met the people that he had watched during the course of the season, as well as their respective careers in the league. Other activities included a performance by the Minnesota Vikings’ cheerleaders in which they had showed the crowd some of their dancing routines. The fans that had attended had said,”They did the darn thing” in reference to the routine. There were other events that had kept the fans entertained such as games for the children, photos with mascots, and a chance to win some big prizes through out the evening.
As the sun was dimming late Saturday evening, another event was brewing for audience to see nation wide. The event that was taken place was the induction ceremony which Jerome Bettis, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff, Ron Wolf and Bill Polian had the opportunity to let the spotlight shine on them as they acknowledge what the game meant to them. Here are a couple excerpt from the different players that had spoken.
Former Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers scout Ron Wolf had a lot to say throughout his speech, but this message had a little more meaning that executed his speech; “To succeed in this game, you have to love it, respect its history, and understand you have a responsibility to make it better.” He said that football is the ultimate team game, and said that no matter how much the rules might change, it is still at the end of the day about running, blocking, kicking and the basic elements of football, and said that’s why he loves the game.”
Bll Polian was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an executive and contributor and he had some precised words to say about his moment; “It starts with family. My parents, grandparents and aunts,” Polian said, “A journey that began on a boat from Ireland led to Canton. I don’t think they would have believed it, but I know they’re proud.”
Charles Haley had spoken truth within his speech! He was very humbled and had told a great story that had made a lot of people laugh. He goes and tells a story about former Niners owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr., “who he called the “greatest owner I ever played for.” Calling him “Mr. D,” Haley stumped for DeBartolo to make it into the Hall and shared a memory of “Mr. D” taking him golfing for the first time, a story that had Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium erupting in unexpected laughter.
“You know I don’t know how to play golf, right, so I’m driving the golf cart around and I drive the golf cart up on the green,” Haley said. “Eddie, Ronnie (Lott), Joe (Montana), all those guys laugh at me. Some guy flying behind us was like, ‘Get off the green!’ I’m going, ‘What is he talking about?’ … So then I said, ‘If this guy comes and opens his mouth again, I’m going to knock him out!’ So I started to turn around, and then Eddie and them go, ‘Hey, you can’t drive up on the green!’ I said ‘All this (expletive) is green!’”
Mick Tingelhoff was always remembered to have a smile everyday. Vikings’ legend Fran Tarkenton walked Tingelhoff to the stage and broke down in tears describing how the unsung center waited 37 years to enter the Hall.”I never knew Mick Tingelhoff to have a bad day,” said Tarkenton, calling the silent center “his best friend” and his “protector” on and off the field. It was a nice moment.
Will Shields had one simple message that spoke to the hearts of many; “When the opportunity presents itself in your life,” Shields said, “choose to be the difference-maker in this village.”
Tim Brown made some great comments about having faith in God and having a great support system.
Junior Seau’s daughter spoke about her dad and explain to the world how her dad impact her and the world; “His energy was contagious, everyone could feel it,” Sydney said. “Instead of just making a difference, I feel like he was the difference on the field and that was the person that he was.””You gave us your time, your presence, your love, but most of all you gave us your heart,” Sydney said. “I know at times it seemed like everything you accomplished in life wasn’t enough, but today and every day since you held me in your arms for the first time, you were more than just enough, you were everything and I hope this induction can exemplify the fact that you are more than just Junior Seau, 55 and a buddy. You are a light and I want nothing more than to see you come on stage, give the speech you were meant to give, give me a hug and tell me you love me one last time, but that isn’t our reality.”
Last, but not least was Jerome Bettis and he had brought the house down; “We’ve got to get one thing understood here tonight! We’re in Canton, but this is Steeler’s country! “The love came back,” Bettis said of his move to Pittsburgh, before praising Bill Cower as “exactly the kind of coach I needed,” and “one of the biggest reasons I stand here today.”
