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. A reporter once told me he could hear the tape recorder smiling when I got on a roll, but, please, don't let the persona overshadow the person. Three traits that translate in any generation and any job setting. I mean, I even hit three home runs at Wrigley Field, tell me about it.". I know my family's proud. James vocally. in their son's acceptance speech. [Tied for 3rd] Most Points Scored, Career 12, Team Statistical Championships Coach Hall has been teaching and coaching for 50 plus years, and he's still coaching today. The focus was supposed to be on him for his accomplishments in basketball, but he made it about everyone else and how they helped get him where he is. ", Funniest line: "As a kid growing up in Oakland, my heroes were Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson. To eat the animals that I ate. My sister called me about 9:00 that Wednesday night. She said, are you okay? He remembered to draft me, but somehow forgot to cut me. One of my best friends that is already in the Hall of Fame is Michael Irvin. I'm standing on the sideline, and I can see John walking towards me. Eligibility restrictions apply. I missed recitals, I missed football practice, I missed graduations because I was so obsessed with being the best player I could possibly be that I neglected a lot of people. And I know what you're saying, "remedial reading and Spanish?" His place in these halls tells you what kind of player he was. But unfortunately, time doesn't permit that. I asked her two things: I said, Granny, am I the man you thought I would be when you got on the train and you came to Chicago and got me at three months? He also reminisced about how he enjoyed playing at iconic stadiums like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. I want all you young people to listen to my answer. Because all the things that you really thought I was, and some of the things you didn't like, you didn't love, you didn't want to accept, I was doing it for my mama. I said, Granny, are you proud of your baby? Come pick me up and shake me. I forgive you for all those white suits that you got us for Easter that made us look like John Travolta. They believed in me and so did my first NFL head coach, Dan Reeves. I want to take a moment to tell you what kind of man he is. I said, now Granny, I promised these people I would do this, but if you say no, I think theyll understand. [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Game 13 (vs. L.A. Sharpe also talked a lot about his grandmother and grandfather raising him and how much they meant to him. 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. 1 has always been baseball for me. In my first game starting at tight end they put me in motion the entire game. If fate had dealt you a different hand, there is no question, no question in my mind we would have been the first brothers to be elected to the Hall of Fame. You've been with my grandmother for 41 years. And one day, sitting there on the couch, you took a bat and hit the TV. So I apologize. LOS ANGELES (AP) Hall of Fame football player Shannon Sharpe had a heated courtside conversation with Memphis Grizzlies players Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks and Morant's father at the end of the first half Friday night in a nationally televised game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Thats all she wanted. As Im driving down Ive got my head phones on because I dont want to talk. My sister called me about 9:00 that Wednesday night. I said Im fine. I just want to lay here, and I just want to think. [1st] Most Touchdown Pass Receptions, Career 55 I remember eating squirrel and turtle. I remember that. With Chris Carson gone, can Rashaad Penny 'take off' as Seattle Seahawks' RB1? I keep telling myself Im not going to get emotional today, but I know thats not going to happen. O'Neal flashed his famous grin throughout, joking about his Buick commercial where he had $3 million reasons to find a way to squeeze himself into the seat of the car and also thanking family, teammates, coaches, fans and even NBA commissioners while offering playful jabs along the way. Am I the man you thought I would be? And I stood there for about 20 seconds and I could see her smiling. Bad place to pitch. Favre said how much he loved playing football and that he didn't have any regrets. Where's Skip's hall of fame induction? We won the game. But he said if you play, play really hard so you have something on tape, so if we release you, someone else can say okay, this guy can play a little bit. He had three receptions for 40 yards in the game. Dec 15. I just want to share this little story with you, how close this moment came to not happening. Of the three of us you've 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. Almost, we almost quit. Do you want to eat or do you want light to see so can you do your homework? The one story I want to leave you with to tell you why I became this person: When I was 12 years old I told my mom, "Mom, I'm going to have some money one day, and I'm going to buy you a Mercedes, and I did.". Shannon Sharpe discuses the most surprising speech from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremony. Shannon Sharpe HOF enshrinement speech - AFC West- ESPN That's all my grandmother wanted. I don't even know that I like football enough to try to make a career out of it.' Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 6, 2011, Presenter: Sterling Sharpe, Shannons brother and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver, Other Members of the Class of 2011: Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders, Drafted: 7th round (192nd player overall) in 1990 by Denver Broncos, Website design & development by americaneagle.com copyright 2021 Pro Football hall of fame all rights reserved, Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls, Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic, (Records through the 2003 season, Sharpes final season with Denver), (Records through the 2001 season, Sharpes final season with Baltimore). "My life for 14 years in the National Football League was football," Sharpe said. I remember putting the pots and pans on the floor to catch the rain water. The one story I want to leave you with to tell you why I became this person: When I was 12 years old I told my mom, Mom, Im going to have some money one day, and Im going to buy you a Mercedes, and I did.. And on induction day, heartfelt speeches are given, typically to thank those most influential to the inductees. It started to rain, and I remember driving to the stadium as it started to rain, and Im saying to myself, if were not going to throw the ball, how am I going to show what I can do? His cumulative social reach is over one billion . Shannon, be respectful. [Tied for 3rd] Most Consecutive Games With a Pass Reception 18 (1991-2003), Broncos records held by Sharpe We knew Sharpe had a way with words -- we see that on shows pre-game football shows -- but to bottle it all up on the biggest night of his career and deliver in such a big way is impressive. Your babys in the Hall of Fame. We lost one of our members early last month, John Mackey. My brother never knew that everything he said that I hung on it. Thanks, coach, I'm glad you have a lousy memory. The next time you go in that room, you think about Sterling Sharpes numbers for seven years. 77 / 99 Shannon Sharpe parachutes into the stadium with the Thunderstorm sky-diving team on the day of his enshrinement in the Ring of Fame during the Broncos' game . Zach Thomas, Miami Dolphins, (Fifth Round, Pick 154) Zach Thomas has finally been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is tougher than any third-and-15, I can assure you. ", 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. To my three kids, Kayla, Kiari and Kaley, thanks for understanding when I promised to take you to the movies or the amusement park or to the mall, but because Id run myself into the ground or lifted myself into oblivion earlier that day, I didnt do what I had promised to do the night before. Reggie used to come out all the time and I'd say, 'Reggie, can I have a[n] autograph?' I said, Les, I never want to eat cold oatmeal again. So these guys beat me up. You'll never know. The Denver Broncos selected Shannon Sharpe out of Savannah State in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He was the starting tight end in Denvers back-to-back Super Bowl titles (XXXII and XXXIII) and the Ravens Super Bowl XXXV victory. Ten things you didn't know about Shannon Sharpe - NFL I could have been a drug dealer. Shannon Sharpe Hall Of Fame Speech - Speak Ai My grandmother wanted to go to church and Sunday school every Sunday. The only regret that I have in my 43 years that I never told my grandmother just how much she means to me. I embraced it. Last but not least, I think this is where I start to get emotional, my granny. Currently Shannon co-hosts FS1's Undisputed and host's his own podcast, Club Shay Shay. Bill Belichick, Patriots leaders: Bill Russell's impact felt throughout organization, New England Patriots WR DeVante Parker solidifying role with big plays, contested grabs. You need to walk 20 years of my life. He was drafted in the 1996 NFL Draft by then-head coach Jimmy Johnson, who was also the person to let Thomas know he had finally been voted in. [Tied for 1st] Most Pass Receptions, Game 13 (vs. L.A. Today I become the eighth member. ", Funniest line: "I remember the first time I played against him [Michael Jordan], and um, I walked out on the court and I looked at him, and for the first time in my life a human being didn't look real to me. The main . I tell you, it was like a light bulb came on in my head. Shannon Sharpe puts his hand on the bust that will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame while his brother, Sterling, looks on Saturday before Shannon's induction speech in Canton, Ohio. Someone once said other things may change, but we start and end with family. ", Funniest line: "When I was growing up, I was the baby, and when they [Payton's brother and sister] had to clean the house on Saturdays and do things when Mom went to work and said, 'I want this house clean when I get back,' hey, I was the baby, I didn't have to do that. Guys, thank you for allowing me to share 14 minutes and 23 seconds of your time. The very pots and pans that we're going to cook in the next day. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Speech summary: Known for being brash during his 18-year career with the Pacers, Miller was quite humble in his speech, as he went out of his way to credit his teammates and coaches, along with being gracious toward opponents. Packers. Raiders Jan. 9, 1994), Ravens records held by Sharpe Thanks, John, for teaching me how to be a pro. And finally we had a nice enough neighbor came over and put some air in it, and what a difference.". With the grace of God, I got sober and I saved my life. Thank you. That just didn't start two and a half years ago. He had two receptions for 26 yards in the game. If fate had dealt you a different hand, there is no question, no question in my mind we would have been the first brothers to be elected to the Hall of Fame. She never called me by my name.