Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Seven NFL legends were inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday—pass-rusher Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, return dynamo Devin Hester, wideout Andre Johnson, defensive lineman Steve McMichael, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Patrick Willis.
They had to wait a little longer than expected, however, as a rain delay pushed back the proceedings. But it was a special day for all involved.
McMichael, who is battling MLS, was joined by his wife and former teammates back in Chicago:
There were some very notable cameos, as expected, including Michael Irvin giving love to a pair of fellow Miami alumni in Hester and Johnson. He wasn't alone—it's always a star-studded event:
Michael Irvin @michaelirvin88Da 🙌🏾 Presents; The FIRST RETURNER to ever earn a spot in <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> AND, The FIRST <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonTexans</a> to ever earn a spot in <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 <a href="https://t.co/DCvHpSC6TO">pic.twitter.com/DCvHpSC6TO</a>
NFL @NFL.<a href="https://twitter.com/JJWatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JJWatt</a> checking in from Canton to show love to all the Hall of Famers getting enshrined <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFHOF24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFHOF24</a> <a href="https://t.co/hIsXCODCf7">pic.twitter.com/hIsXCODCf7</a>
But were you expecting NBA G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan to show up? Turns out he's good friends with Freeney:
NFL @NFLMichael Jordan in the building to celebrate his good friend <a href="https://twitter.com/dwightfreeney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dwightfreeney</a> in Canton 🙌<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/yZpjL1cHIY">pic.twitter.com/yZpjL1cHIY</a>
NFL @NFLSo many legends in one area ⭐️ 🔥<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/LNhafddXr2">pic.twitter.com/LNhafddXr2</a>
Freeney offered words of inspiration during his speech.
"Always remember that your hard work and sacrifice are the keys to opening the door to your dreams," he said. "People will call you too slow, too short, not tough enough, not strong enough. Use those words as fuel to ignite the internal fire that will motivate you and push you to places that you never thought were possible. All those bumps and bruises that make you want to quit, fighting through that will make you into a better player and a better person."
Peppers, who played basketball at North Carolina during his college days alongside football, shouted out fellow Tar Heel Jordan during his speech.
"The GOAT, his air-ness Michael Jordan... MJ I want to thank you for the inspiration and memories," he said.
He also offered an inspirational finish to his speech:
NFL @NFL"Whatever it is that you do, do it with respect, integrity, passion, resilience, dedication, and gratitude. That alone will make you a Hall of Fame person."<br><br>Julius Peppers with a strong closing message to his speech. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFHOF24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFHOF24</a> <a href="https://t.co/g2xcR4u1og">pic.twitter.com/g2xcR4u1og</a>
Hester, the first ever kick returner enshrined in Canton, was introduced by his mother and said he hoped his place in the Hall of Fame would open the doors for more returners to get in like Brian Mitchell and Josh Cribbs:
NFL @NFLJuanita Brown presents her son Devin Hester into the Hall of Fame 💙⁰<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFHOF24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFHOF24</a><br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/8elhaJCCC7">pic.twitter.com/8elhaJCCC7</a>
NFL @NFL"I'm not the only returner that deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. I'm just the first." - Devin Hester<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/AXFMpOM5ct">pic.twitter.com/AXFMpOM5ct</a>
NFL @NFL"Your son is a Hall of Famer."<br><br>Devin Hester shows love to his mom for helping him get to this moment ❤️<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/bAYYjS0lhM">pic.twitter.com/bAYYjS0lhM</a>
"I embraced God's plan and what he had in store for me," he added during his speech. "And by embracing it, it made me the best returner that ever walked the face of the earth. At least for now."
Patrick Willis talked about the hard work it took to reach Canton, and thanked his mother during his speech:
NFL @NFL"You cannot cheat the grind, for the grind knows what you put in." - <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickWillis52?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatrickWillis52</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFHOF24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFHOF24</a> <br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Enshrinement on NFLN/ESPN<br>📱: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/3GHRNSuNqN">pic.twitter.com/3GHRNSuNqN</a>
"It's not necessarily how long you play, but how impactful you are," he noted.
Johnson, the first player from the Houston Texans enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, closed the speeches.
NFL @NFLAndre Johnson. <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonTexans</a> legend.<a href="https://twitter.com/johnson80?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johnson80</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PFHOF24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PFHOF24</a> <a href="https://t.co/83RWmduVIU">pic.twitter.com/83RWmduVIU</a>
"I can't lie, I'm happy as hell," Johnson noted. "I've reached the pinnacle."
Yes you have, Andre. Yes you have.
