Thank you for making all of those sacrifices the other kids never had to make so your dad could live out his dream. Shannon Sharpe , Keynote Speaker, Considered by many to be the Greatest Tight End of All-Time Named to NFL 1990'2 All-Decade Team, 8 Time Pro Bowl Selection, 2011 Class Professional Football Hall of Fame . As my grandmother was laying in that casket on Saturday morning, I walked over to her, and I asked her two things. 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. Speech summary: Eckersley gave an emotional speech, talking about overcoming alcohol addiction and his demons and thanking those who helped him along his journey. 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. And I'm thinking well, my grandmother wants 7,000, 8,000 square feet. Saturday, Aug 06 2011. I remember putting the pots and pans on the floor to catch the rain water. That drove me. 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). You taught me everything I know about sports and a lot about life. Long-time Denver Broncos TE Shannon Sharpe was inducted into the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday night and he delivered one of the great all-time speeches we've ever seen. Hopefully all those miles youve driven seem worth it today. Thank you. You can watch the full speech below courtesy of our good friends at Black Sports Online: Football, of course is the ultimate team game. Shannon Sharpe didn't even make it to his speech Saturday night at Fawcett Stadium. Id like to have a very special thanks to Mr. Pat Bowlen, owner of the Denver Broncos. Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? 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.'". All-Pro: 1993 (AP, PFWA, SN), 1996 (AP, PFWA, SN), 1997 (AP, PFWA, SN), 1998 (AP, PFWA, SN), All-AFC: 1993 (UPI, PW), 1996 (UPI, PW), 1997 (PW), 1998 (PW), All-AFC Second Team: 1994 (UPI), 1995 (UPI), (8) 1993, 1994, 1995*, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999*, 2002, [Tied for 3rd] Most Seasons, 50 or More Pass Receptions 11, [1st] Longest Reception 96 (from Dilfer, vs. Oakland Jan. 14, 2001 AFC championship Game) Harrison, was a disciplinarian. Great place to hit. Kobe Bryant, a guy who would push me and help me win three titles, but who also helped me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami. What is it going to be this month? I said, Granny, are you proud of your baby? My grandmother wanted to go to church and Sunday school every Sunday. If you promise somebody you're going to do something, you do it. I ruined a lot of relationships. . Shannon Sharpe HOF enshrinement speech - NFL Nation- ESPN She said, are you okay? So I'm trying to hold on to people. Then, of course, there is my quarterback and great friend, John Elway. It's my turn now. Shannon Sharpe HOF enshrinement speech - AFC West- ESPN My sister didnt know, my brother didnt know, but it raged. I mean, I even hit three home runs at Wrigley Field, tell me about it.". But I'm not here to apologize for that because it got me here and it got them to a life they never would have enjoyed had it not been for that. First, I'd 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. As Im driving down Ive got my head phones on because I dont want to talk. Sharpe started at tight end. My prayers and my deepest sympathies go out to Ms. Sylvia Mackey, and the Mackey family. I gotta say it; in 1995, as you saw in the video, yeah, I pushed. Packers. I wanted to be so much like my brother that when I went to college, my brother's first college girlfriend when I went to college, my first college girlfriend looked exactly like his (laughing). I forgive you for all those white suits that you got us for Easter that made us look like John Travolta. Instead of being angry and upset with me, he walks up to me and he says, I think next week we need to learn the plays. And Im trying to gather in my mind what Im going to say when I see my grandma laying in that casket, and before I did the interview I remember going by Kings Funeral Home that had my grandmothers body, and I rubbed her head. Sharpe started at tight end. Dec 15. I said, now Granny, I promised these people I would do this, but if you say no, I think they'll understand. Granted, I think organizations put together teams, but at the end of the day, the team has to go out and play. Instead of being angry and upset with me, he walks up to me and he says, 'I think next week we need to learn the plays.' 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. [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Game 214 (at Kansas City Oct. 20, 2002) Replying to . You taught me everything I know about sports and a lot about life. I said, Les, I never want to eat cold oatmeal again. Best of Shannon Sharpe HOF Speech - YouTube Three traits that translate in any generation and any job setting. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. My sister, Libby, the caretaker of the family, my best friend, my sounding board, my biggest fan. Raiders Jan. 9, 1994) I'm so honored. Best Hall of Fame induction speeches in NFL, MLB, NBA - ESPN You dont land here without the support of hundreds of dedicated men whose sacrifices help you become a better player. There is no doubt whatsoever. Kiszla: One-hit wonders? Bad place to pitch. Zach Thomas, Miami Dolphins, (Fifth Round, Pick 154) Zach Thomas has finally been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [3rd] Most Pass Receptions, Career 140 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. 3x Superbowl Champion. Speech summary: He wasn't talking about practice, man. See, my grandmother, if you give a man your word, you do what you say you're going to do. The person knew when it was time to get to work. But Im not here to apologize for that because it got me here and it got them to a life they never would have enjoyed had it not been for that. So I apologize. Sterling, you are my hero, my father figure, my role model. Then, of course, there is my quarterback and great friend, John Elway. Sterling, you are my hero, my father figure, my role model. It's no secret how Shannon Sharpe feels about his older brother Sterling, who he heaped endless praise on during his 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame speech. [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Career 309 Thanks, John, for teaching me how to be a pro.". I said, "Granny, do you want jewelry?" Although he was honored for his broadcasting career, he joked that he should have gone into the Hall for his accomplishments as a player. I didn't want my kids to live one night, not one hour, not one hour in the life that I had let alone a day. He admitted that he never really wanted to play football but knew that he was playing for a bigger purpose than himself. Shannon Sharpe Delivers Classic Hall Of Fame Speech You know I could guard you. Memorable quote: "There's one lady that deserves the biggest recognition, probably, of everyone as to why I'm here. OK, I'll do that.' And I was very young. Shannon Sharpe Hall of Fame Speech Lance Nicolai 1.2M views 11 years ago C. Vivian Stringer's Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Speech OfficialHoophall 12K views 10 years ago Deion. Sharpe led the Broncos in receiving six times and the Ravens once. Deion, Sharpe lead emotional class into Hall ", Funniest line: "Trey (Griffey's son), you're my little man, my partner in crime. Then I asked her, "Are you proud?" She wanted to be in Bible study every Wednesday. Mom, I know how my grandmother gets, my brother and I talk about her a lot, but this day doesn't happen without you. To all my former teammates at Glennville High, Savannah State, Denver, Baltimore, hopeful you, hopefully you thought I was a good teammate and you enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed you. He also reminisced about how he enjoyed playing at iconic stadiums like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. And being here today to share with me this very special occasion. The very pots and pans that we're going to cook in the next day. James vocally. She said, "I want to wake up and not be wet." Yes, Shannon Sharpe, NFL Hall of . I said, You want me to buy you a car and teach you how to drive? If I know my father, he's up there arguing with Wilt Chamberlain right now, trying to convince him that his son is the most dominant big man that ever played the game. Thanks for being there for my grandmother and me. 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. So these guys beat me up. And I know what youre saying, remedial reading and Spanish? I was saying the exact same thing. And I'm trying to gather in my mind what I'm going to say when I see my grandma laying in that casket, and before I did the interview I remember going by King's Funeral Home that had my grandmother's body, and I rubbed her head. But this is the fraternity of all fraternities. Memorable quote: "No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. My sister had her hair braided, and I rubbed her head, and I already knew what she would want. My sister was laying on the couch, my grandmother was laying in the room, and she could see me as I was getting ready to leave, but my grandmother never got out of bed. He also said his high school counselor encouraged him to play baseball, promising him a quarter for each hit, run scored or stolen base. 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. 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. Sterling Sharpe's numbers are tremendous through seven years including his final season where he lead the league with a whopping 18 touchdown receptions. Speech summary: Williams is known for advocating for Negro League players to be included in the Hall of Fame during his speech. Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips, teammates inspired by mentoring incarcerated teens, What adding Odell Beckham Jr. would mean for the New York Jets, Extending Vikings star Justin Jefferson: what it could cost, possible sticking points. NFL.com Senior Analyst Because of his work ethic and competitiveness, Shannon Sharpe -- who will be enshrined Saturday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- completely exceeded everyone's. We won the game. Shannon Sharpe may be right about being the second best player in his own family but that's still a hell of an NFL career. Other than an injury-shortened 1999 campaign, Sharpe never caught less than 60 passes in a season for the remainder of his career. He poked fun at everything from his .200 career batting average to setting a record for passed balls. Speech summary: Sanders thanked everyone from his former coaches to Jerry Jones to Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. You study harder, you practice harder, you have more fun. The last two and a half years havent been easy on any of us, least of all you.