Seven NFL finalists were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday: point guard Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, returning dynamo Devin Hester, spreader Andre Johnson, defensive lineman Steve McMichael, end defensive back Julius Peppers and linebacker Patrick Willis.
However, they had to wait a little longer than expected, as the rain delayed the process. But it’s a special day for everyone involved.
McMichael, who fights in MLS, joined through his spouse and former teammates in Chicago:
A moment for Steve McMichael, who bravely fights ALS. ❤️? #PFHOF24 pic. twitter. com/CTiHd2NG6T
Welcome to the canton “Mongo”!pic. twitter. com/5C6bH5ib1v
As expected, there were some very notable cameos, adding Michael Irvin giving his love to two Miami alumni, Hester and Johnson. I was not alone, it is a prestigious event:
Give ?? gifts; The FIRST COMEBACK to earn a spot on @ProFootballHOF AND the FIRST @HoustonTexans to earn a spot on @ProFootballHOF ?????????? pic. twitter. com/DCvHpSC6TO
. @JJWatt checking in from Canton to show his love to all the enshrined members of the Hall of Fame #PFHOF24 pic. twitter. com/hIsXCODCf7
But did you expect NBA G. O. A. T. Michael Jordan to appear?It turns out that he is friends with Freeney:
Michael Jordan in construction to celebrate his friend @dwightfreeney in Guangzhou ??: @ProFootballHOF Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN?: Stream on #NFLPlus pic. twitter. com/yZpjL1cHIY
So many legends in one ⭐️ ??: @ProFootballHOF NFLN/ESPN? instruction: Broadcast on #NFLPlus pic. twitter. com/LNhafddXr2
Freeney featured inspiring words in her speech.
“Never let your hard work and sacrifice be the keys that will open the door to your dreams,” he said. “People will call you too slow, too short, not hard enough, not strong enough. Use those words as fuel to light the inner fireplace that will motivate you and push you to places you never imagined possible. Those are all the knocks and bumps. bruises that make you need to quit, fighting them will make you a better player and a better person.
Peppers, who played basketball in North Carolina during his school years along with football, shouted his speech to fellow countryman Tar Heel Jordan.
“The GOAT, his aerial Michael Jordan look… MJ, I thank you for the inspiration and the memories,” he said.
He presented an inspiring conclusion to his speech:
“Whatever you do, do it with respect, integrity, passion, resilience, dedication and gratitude. That will make you a Hall of Famer. ” Julius Peppers with a strong final message to his speech # PFHOF24 pic. twitter. com/ g2xcR4u1og
Hester, the first registered kick returner in Canton, spoke with his mother and said he hoped his Hall of Fame position would open doors to more returners like Brian Mitchell and Josh Cribbs:
Juanita Brown introduces her son Devin Hester to the Hall of Fame ? ⁰#PFHOF24?: @ProFootballHOF Consecration in NFLN/ESPN:? Broadcast in #NFLPlus pic. twitter. com/8elhaJCCC7
“I’m the only one who deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I’m just the first. ” – Devin Hester?: @ProFootballHOF Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN:? Broadcast on #NFLPlus pic. twitter. com/AXFMpOM5ct
“Your son is a Hall of Famer. “Devin Hester shows his love to his mother for helping him succeed in this motherhood ❤️? : @ProFootballHOF NFLN/ESPN? Instruction: Broadcast on #NFLPlus pic. twitter. com/bAYYjS0lhM
Devin Hester with the channel ? (via @NFL) pic. twitter. com/boovXeZ85P
Devin Hester does homework with this speech.
“I accepted God’s plan and what He had in store for me,” he added in his speech. “And in adopting it, I made the most productive return that has ever walked the face of the earth. At least for the time being. “
Patrick Willis spoke of the hard work it took to succeed in Guangzhou and thanked his mother for her speech:
“You can’t fool the routine, because the routine knows what you put into it. ” – @PatrickWillis52 #PFHOF24 ?: @ProFootballHOF Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN?: Broadcast on #NFLPlus pic. twitter. com/3GHRNSuNqN
. @PatrickWillis52 with an emotional thank you to his mother. ❤️ #PFHOF24 pic. twitter. com/74d3eGzLvR
“It’s not necessarily about how long you play, it’s about what affects you,” he said.
Johnson, the first Houston Texans to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, closed the speeches.
Houston, you have a Hall of Famer!? Congratulations, Andre Johnson! ? (via @NFL) pic. twitter. com/o1vOn0nm8I
Andre Johnson. Caption by @HoustonTexans. @johnson80 | #PFHOF24 pic. twitter. com/83RWmduVIU
The loudest cheer of the day comes when Andre Johnson greets Houston Texans fans. There are many here.
“I can’t lie, I’m very satisfied,” Johnson said. “I have reached the top. “
Yes, André. If you have.