Sharpe started at tight end. She said, Shannon, shes gone. I said, for real, Libby? She hung the phone up. I know some of you might be in awe of the number of years, but it's the number of miles. They believed in me and so did my first NFL head coach, Dan Reeves. Today Im humbled to be joining such an elite fraternity of great players who defined our game. That drove me. The last two and a half years havent been easy on any of us, least of all you. Sharpe so badly wanted to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer before diabetes finished ravaging his grandmother's body, but he said he now saw it as a blessing that he didn't get to Canton, Ohio,. For 66 years, my grandmother never went to bed and had it rain and not be wet the next morning. I was a new man, a renewed man. Youll never know. She said, son, I want a decent home and her words verbatim is "Son, I want to go to bed one night," and she said, "I want God to let it rain as hard as he possibly can, and I want him to let it rain all night long." I forgive you for all those white suits that you got us for Easter that made us look like John Travolta. 2121 George Halas Drive, Canton, Ohio. ", Funniest line: "I'm awfully glad to be with him [Casey Stengel] on his big day. But this is the fraternity of all fraternities. Do you want to eat or do you want light to see so can you do your homework? The $10,000 scholarship grant honors Thomas and is funded by both Manning and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. ", Funniest line: "And I said, 'Mama' -- because I was tired of seeing her go to work and come home all tired -- I said, 'I'm going to be rich one day. Memorable quote: "I hope that someday the names of Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson in some way could be added as a symbol of the great Negro players that are not here only because they were not given the chance. And ever since he said that, I knew the only way I was going to be successful at this game called football was if I played for a purpose that was bigger than the game itself, because I knew that the love for the game just wasn't in my heart. I said, "Granny, do you want jewelry?" I'd also like to thank the fans of these two great franchises, without you, there are no Super Bowl rings, no receiving records, no bronze bust. Speech summary: Humor was the prevailing theme in Shaq's speech. Sterling, you are my hero, my father figure, my role model. Harrison, was a disciplinarian. You don't know what this means to me. In my first game starting at tight end they put me in motion the entire game. With Sunday's Hall of Fame . The eight to ten hours a day sitting in the nursing home so our granny wouldn't be alone. She always called me her baby. The only regret that I have in my 43 years that I never told my grandmother just how much she means to me. I said, "for real, Libby?" And I'm looking at him, and I can't stop looking at him, like, I'm looking at his shoes, and I'm like, 'Man, he got on the Jordans.'". [1st] Most Touchdown Pass Receptions, Career 55 [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdown Pass Receptions, Career 2 So I could acknowledge the importance of him and in my career and my life, which he was a tremendous part of my life. Best. You want to go to bed and not get wet when you wake up. The tight end streaked up the middle untouched for the games first and only touchdown which proved to be all that the Ravens needed to secure its first AFC championship and Super Bowl berth. [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Game 5 (at Pittsburgh Jan. 20, 2002) He said, I dont know how much youre going to play, I dont know if youre going to play. He poked fun at everything from his .200 career batting average to setting a record for passed balls. Ms. Elaine Keels, my high school remedial reading and Spanish teacher. ", Funniest line: "Phil Jackson asked me to come to Jerry Krause's house and he asked me, he said, 'Dennis, you know, we'd like you to come play, but you gotta do one thing for me, you gotta go into the kitchen and tell Scottie Pippen you're sorry.' I don't know if y'all watching 'Chappelle's Show,' but he talked about a certain incident where he seen, somebody seen Rick James, and, like, I literally seen his aura. . I think the first thing that he ever bought me was a football. Memorable quote: "I don't know if you figured it out by now, but I just gave you Prime. I dont say, hey, just do that. That just didn't start two and a half years ago. I'm standing in the huddle for a while, and I just have my hands on my hip. Id like to have a very special thanks to Mr. Pat Bowlen, owner of the Denver Broncos. Full list of Mr. Irrelevants in NFL draft history: Is Brock Purdy already the best final pick? We won the game. He followed that performance with a career-high 87 receptions in 1994. One of my best friends that is already in the Hall of Fame is Michael Irvin. Iverson's speech had it all, and he delivered his address with compassion and humor as he took the audience on a trip through his entire life. Sharpe started at tight end. We won the game. Thank you, guys. Devin Booker sulked. I ruined a lot of relationships. I said, now Granny, I promised these people I would do this, but if you say no, I think they'll understand. As I would motion past John, he would turn around and tell me what I had to do, block the end, block the linebacker, run the out, run a corner. I'm here today for a lot of reasons. Nobody ever knew how much this five alarm fire raged inside of me. Sharpe started at tight end. Boy, did he teach me toughness. One of my. VIDEO: Shannon Sharpe's Hall Of Fame Induction Speech By Joel Thorman @JoelThorman Aug 8, 2011, 9:48am EDT Long-time Denver Broncos TE Shannon Sharpe was inducted into the 2011 Pro Football. Dont hope someone gives you an opportunity, create one for yourself. They believed in me and so did my first NFL head coach, Dan Reeves. Packers. ", Funniest line: "Trey (Griffey's son), you're my little man, my partner in crime. He would pass me a pen with his name on it. Shannon Sharpe didn't even make it to his speech Saturday night at Fawcett Stadium. Son, do you want the phone just in case theres an emergency we can call somebody? And being here today to share with me this very special occasion. Shannon Sharpe's Hall of Fame speech was an instant classic. Thanks for all the sacrifices youve made. I wanted to be so much like my brother that when I went to college, my brothers first college girlfriend when I went to college, my first college girlfriend looked exactly like his (laughing). Of the three of us youve had the toughest job so my brother and I could live out our dreams, you took care of the most important person in our family, our grandmother. It's official: Jamal Murray, Nuggets are in Phoenix's heads now. My prayers and my deepest sympathies go out to Ms. Sylvia Mackey, and the Mackey family. So these guys beat me up. [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Game 13 (vs. L.A. I also know I'll lose a dear friend if I don't stop talking 'cause I know I'm eating into his time.". The persona likes to have fun. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. While some speeches take a more serious tone, just about all of them are sure to include a knee-slapper or two. VIDEO: Shannon Sharpe's Hall Of Fame InductionSpeech, The entire NFL screwed up by letting the Eagles win the draft so easily. As I would motion past John, he would turn around and tell me what I had to do, block the end, block the linebacker, run the out, run a corner. ", Honorable mention: Kirby Puckett (2001); Hank Aaron (1982); Billy Williams (1987); Tommy Lasorda (1997); Ryne Sandberg (2005); Cal Ripken Jr. (2007); Andre Dawson (2010); Pudge Rodriguez (2017); Bert Blyleven (2011). ", Funniest line: "My mother-in-law who for 33, 34 years has been by far my biggest fan. As my grandmother was laying in that casket on Saturday morning, I walked over to her, and I asked her two things. That's all I ask. [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Game 214 (at Kansas City Oct. 20, 2002) He didn't know a lot about it, he came from the old country. Id also like to thank the fans of these two great franchises, without you, there are no Super Bowl rings, no receiving records, no bronze bust. I want to thank my head coaches, my offensive coordinators, my position coaches who diagrammed plays and had the confidence in me to call those plays to help make today possible. Shannon Sharpe gives his enshrinement speech as he's inducted into the Ring of Fame during the Broncos' game against the Cleveland Browns September 20, 2009 at Invesco Field. First, Id like to personally thank the 44 men and women that went to a room on February 5th and deemed my play on the field worthy of this prestigious honor. Raiders Jan. 9, 1994) Mr. Art Modell, former owner of the Baltimore Ravens whose wife, Pat, is a little under the weather, and I want to take this opportunity to wish her a speedy recovery. [1st] Longest Reception 96 (from Dilfer, at Oakland Jan. 14, 2001) You need to walk 20 years in this body and feel this raging inferno that I felt to get out of Glennville, to leave that thousand square foot cinder block home with the cement floors, to leave what my grandmother said, baby, is it going to be the gas this month that Im going to pay or is it going to be the lights? I said, I ate that now as a kid, but I'm not going to have to eat that when I become an adult. Thank you. Speech summary: Uecker mixed in plenty of jokes, telling his story from birth to becoming a baseball player to making a career in the Brewers' broadcast booth. William Hall, my high school football coach, track coach, and drivers ed teacher. I said, you dont know what its like, Les, to grow up like I grew up. I mean, I even hit three home runs at Wrigley Field, tell me about it.". He drives 65 miles one way to get to school. You taught me everything I know about sports and a lot about life. When they went back into the room on Saturday, my name was off the board. I know my familys proud. Memorable quote: "No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. Shannon, iron your clothes." Thank you, Ms. But unfortunately, time doesnt permit that. I thought that I was just, I thought that it was just black because I hadn't come to yet. I made it. Hopefully all those miles you've driven seem worth it today. Thats all I ask. Currently Shannon co-hosts FS1's Undisputed and host's his own podcast, Club Shay Shay. She wanted to be in Bible study every Wednesday. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). 1998 AFC Denver Broncos 23, New York Jets 10 Your babys in the Hall of Fame. Shannon Sharpe and Deion Sanders delivered poignant, emotional Hall of Fame speeches on Saturday night, opening up and sharing a personal side with the world. When they went back into the room on Saturday, my name was off the board. I don't even know that I like football enough to try to make a career out of it.' He was named first-team All-Pro and All-AFC in 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and was selected to the NFLs All-Decade Team of the 1990s. That's what drove Shannon. My grandmother never told me when I was getting ready to leave for Savannah State, "Shannon, don't do drugs. I'd also like to recognize the elite seven, that is the number of tight ends that have already been enshrined. You need to walk 20 years in this body and feel this raging inferno that I felt to get out of Glennville, to leave that thousand square foot cinder block home with the cement floors, to leave what my grandmother said, baby, is it going to be the gas this month that I'm going to pay or is it going to be the lights? My mama said, 'That's fine, but until then, you get that lawnmower and go out there and cut that grass.'". I said, I ate that now as a kid, but Im not going to have to eat that when I become an adult. She said, no, son, I don't want that. For a seven year period of the guys that are in the Hall of Fame at the receiver position, and the guys that have the potential to be in this building. And one day, sitting there on the couch, you took a bat and hit the TV. Ten times he had 60 or more catches including three 80-catch seasons. This is tougher than any third-and-15, I can assure you. See, my grandmother and grandfather, they raised me, and I hung on everything they said, but they didnt know it. I said, Les, I never want to eat cold oatmeal again. He was introduced by his 12-year-old son Jarrett, the youngest presenter ever. Memorable quote: "When you think of me, I would like you to remember that kid from the inner city that played the game with all his heart and never took the game for granted. Speech summary: Griffey thanked all the members of his family individually and paid a touching tribute to his dad, noting some of the father-son feats they accomplished, including hitting back-to-back home runs. . I stand out on the ballpark in the parking lot waiting for Reggie Jackson to give me a[n] autograph. ", Funniest line: "John [Elway] had never heard of Shannon Sharpe or Savannah State, but not only did he embrace me, he chose me as his go-to guy. And I neglected my kids. ", Honorable Mention: Charles Barkley (2006); David Robinson (2009); Oscar Schmidt (2013), With honors: Best Hall of Fame induction speeches, Titans quarterback Will Levis opens up about emotional draft day, Jets bolster OT group by signing veteran Turner, Broncos pick up Jeudy's 5th-year rookie option, Source: Seahawks declining option on LB Brooks, Bills ink vet Murray after passing on RBs in draft, Source: Ravens decline LB Queen's 2024 option, LB Barrett's 2-year-old daughter drowns in pool, Bengals' Ossai recovering from offseason surgery, Deion 'ashamed' after only 1 HBCU player drafted, Fantasy football rankings for 2023 season, 10 fantasy football breakout players for 2023. My brother never knew that everything he said that I hung on it. Thanks for being there for my grandmother and me. I said, "Granny, what is a decent home?" The only regret that I have in my 43 years that I never told my grandmother just how much she means to me. Im here today for a lot of reasons. And being here today to share with me this very special occasion. Football, of course is the ultimate team game. I want to start by congratulating my fellow inductees who I share the stage with today. Some have absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with the kindness and patience of all the people that guided me through my life. Someone once said other things may change, but we start and end with family. Thank you, everyone. Great place to hit. Our last preseason game my rookie year, we were playing the Arizona Cardinals. Sharpe left the Broncos in 2000 and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an unrestricted free agent. Shannon Sharpe, Richard Dent, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter and Ed Sabol also were enshrined before an enthusiastic crowd of 13,300 -- much lower than the usual turnout. Id like to thank Wade Phillips, the defensive coordinator with the Broncos at the time who looked at a certain scout receiver and tight end and said, Dan, lets put him in the game and see if they can cover him, because we sure cant. It broke my heart that my grandmother, all she wanted was she's got two grand boys that are making millions of dollars, and she wanted a house that wouldn't leak. I can tell you every time that my grandmother has ever been upset at me, I can tell you why. There were two people in this world who knew what we felt at that very moment, and we felt it at the very same time. I said, you don't know what it's like, Les, to grow up like I grew up. You dont land here without the support of hundreds of dedicated men whose sacrifices help you become a better player. Reggie used to come out all the time and I'd say, 'Reggie, can I have a[n] autograph?' I know my family's proud. But I was born five months after his senior year, and he made a decision to play baseball to provide for his family, because that's what men do. I remember those days. There are a lot of people that we meet as we walk through these hallowed halls, but the things that mean the most are the friendships that you meet and take along with you. I don't know if he wouldn't have said that to me if football would have gotten out of me what it got out of me. My sister had her hair braided, and I rubbed her head, and I already knew what she would want. This isnt just a draft that builds the future, but a potential dynasty. Every time at lunch you're not eating, you're in the gym, you're working out. [1st] Highest Average Gain Per Reception, Game 24.3 (vs. Denver Dec. 31, 2000) This day means so much to me because I get to share it with that guy right there. My sister didn't know, my brother didn't know, but it raged. I remember getting ready to go to Savannah State with those two brown grocery bags in 1986, and a teammate of mine that was going to the very same school blew the horn at 2:00 in the afternoon on an August day.
