I remember putting the pots and pans on the floor to catch the rain water. Keels. I know my grandmother's proud. 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. Thanks, Coach Hall, for all your wisdom. Hopefully all those miles youve driven seem worth it today. I tell you, it was like a light bulb came on in my head. "My life for 14 years in the National Football League was football," Sharpe said. With Chris Carson gone, can Rashaad Penny 'take off' as Seattle Seahawks' RB1? The very pots and pans that we're going to cook in the next day. Below is the transcript of the entire speech for your reading pleasure. Memorable quote: "You know, I could have been anywhere in the world. Every other day you would drive to go to different hospitals so our grandmother could get the best care. Void in ONT. The persona likes to have fun. I also know I'll lose a dear friend if I don't stop talking 'cause I know I'm eating into his time.". Check out the video and automated transcript from the Speak Ai team for Shannon Sharpe Hall Of Fame Speech! 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. I thought that I was just, I thought that it was just black because I hadn't come to yet. I said, You want me to buy you a car and teach you how to drive? Thank you. You study harder, you practice harder, you have more fun. Boy, did he teach me toughness. Its my turn now. See the guy that did this bust here, he went to school for that. Coach Hall has been teaching and coaching for 50 plus years, and hes still coaching today. See, baseball didn't come easy for him. But this is the fraternity of all fraternities. He said that growing up poor drove him to want to be able to provide a better life for his family, and that determination, dedication and discipline were key. He had two receptions for 14 yards in the game. I forgive you for all those white suits that you got us for Easter that made us look like John Travolta. Im here today for a lot of reasons. Well, you're about to get your chance.'". That's all she wanted. But then I knew my grandmother, knowing her like I know her, after pausing for five or six minutes. I was saying the exact same thing. 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. And I know what youre saying, remedial reading and Spanish? I was saying the exact same thing. No chance. Today I become the eighth member. As we start here with the end of my journey, I know I wouldnt be here without my family. 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. 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. Thanks everyone here for making my dream come true today. I want all you young people to listen to my answer. Guys, thank you for allowing me to share 14 minutes and 23 seconds of your time. Thanks, Coach Hall, for all your wisdom. 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? He poked fun at everything from his .200 career batting average to setting a record for passed balls. Kiszla: One-hit wonders? Speech summary: Sharpe dedicated a large portion of his speech to his older brother, Sterling, even saying he hoped the Hall voters would consider his accomplishments next time they voted. You taught me everything I know about sports and a lot about life. Because everything Ive done in my life, Ive tried to please you. Am I the man you thought I would be?" I said, now Granny, I promised these people I would do this, but if you say no, I think they'll understand. When I came and I asked my grandmother, what do you want? In his Hall of Fame speech, Shannon Sharpe said that he is the only player in the Hall of Fame who can call himself the second-best player in his own family. Thanks, coach, I'm glad you have a lousy memory. Its time for me to give Mary Porter a face for all those that dont know who she is. Its my turn to bring Mary Porter to life with my voice. How to work hard, how to look at yourself in the mirror each and every day, and not to worry about what other people are doing. Further, Shannon insisted that the Hall of Fame Committee members check his brother Sterling's career. Im honored to become a member of your select group. And being here today to share with me this very special occasion. With Sunday's Hall of Fame . Keeler: Avs fans, could we please skip Valeri Nichushkin, Nazem Kadri revisionist history? But then I knew my grandmother, knowing her like I know her, after pausing for five or six minutes. I said, my exact words were, 'I don't give a damn.' in their son's acceptance speech. I had to leave Glennville. Three traits that translate in any generation and any job setting. When people told me I wasnt going to make it, I listened to the one person who told me I was, me. 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. His place in these halls tells you what kind of player he was. I remember eating raccoon. All these years later, nothing makes me prouder than when people call me a self made man. Sharpe also talked a lot about his grandmother and grandfather raising him and how much they meant to him. Thank you. To eat the animals that I ate. But unfortunately, time doesn't permit that. He played in 204 regular season games and started in four AFC championship games. Memorable quote: "My big brother, Sterling, I'm the only player of 267 men that's walked through this building to my left that can honestly say this: I'm the only pro football player that's in the Hall of Fame, and I'm the second-best player in my own family. I know my grandmothers proud. You don't land here without the support of hundreds of dedicated men whose sacrifices help you become a better player. I was the first kid in Glennville to have a pair of Air Jordan's, a Mickey Mouse watch and a Walkman. 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. 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. He never gave me a[n] autograph.". I remember eating raccoon. So, Greg, I shoved you and kept you down.". Thats what got me here. Keeler: Chris Paul got dirty. She said, "I want to wake up and not be wet." My prayers and my deepest sympathies go out to Ms. Sylvia Mackey, and the Mackey family. Don't hope someone gives you an opportunity, create one for yourself. But unfortunately, time doesnt permit that. 6 mo. That drove me. Thats all I ask. I keep telling myself I'm not going to get emotional today, but I know that's not going to happen. Memorable quote: "To my dad, who taught me how to play this game, but more importantly he taught me how to be a man. Speech summary: Payton talked about how football is a team game and that it takes everyone on the team to make a Hall of Famer. Thanks for all the sacrifices you've made. 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. This day means so much to me because I get to share it with that guy right there. So these guys beat me up. I want to leave you with this: My position coach who is sitting right there in the stands, Les Steckel once asked me, son, why do you work so hard? Although he was honored for his broadcasting career, he joked that he should have gone into the Hall for his accomplishments as a player. My grandmother wanted to go to church and Sunday school every Sunday. 2121 George Halas Drive, Canton, Ohio. I guess I never realized this but he's absolutely right. 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,. 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. But I was in the Raiders' huddle.". Speech summary: Emotion fueled Rodman during his playing career, so it was no surprise that his Hall of Fame speech was emotional and scattered at times. ", 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. The last two and a half years haven't been easy on any of us, least of all you. Memorable quote: "And to all of you baseball fans around America and any place else, for your letters, your thoughts, your kindness, for all of these years, it's been a great run, but No. I don't say, hey, just do that. His place in these halls tells you what kind of player he was. Why'd you quit? One of my best friends that is already in the Hall of Fame is Michael Irvin. I was in the Raiders' huddle. Like Magic [Johnson] says, 'By any means necessary.' 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 . The person knew when it was time to get to work. Thank you for making all of those sacrifices the other kids never had to make so your dad could live out his dream. And I neglected my kids. I could have been a drug dealer. Shannon, go to class. Today Im humbled to be joining such an elite fraternity of great players who defined our game. I played on special teams and I got 20 offensive plays, had 12 knock down blocks. You play in the National Football League and you say you're a member of the fraternity. Memorable quote: "No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. Id also like to thank the City of Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame itself, and all the volunteers for their hard work to make this such a great event. There is a reason they called it chasing your dreams and not walking after them. I dont say, hey, just do that. He followed that performance with a career-high 87 receptions in 1994. I can tell you every time that my grandmother has ever been upset at me, I can tell you why. [Tied for 3rd] Most Touchdown, Game 3 (vs. San Diego Nov. 16, 2003; vs. San Diego Oct. 6, 1996; vs. Kansas City Dec. 12, 1993), [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Career 47 Memorable quote: ''My father, Sgt. You need to walk 20 years of my life. My grandmother was a very simple woman. He says, 'Curtis, look at it this way, man.' I could have been homeless -- I was homeless. You taught me everything I know about sports and a lot about life. She didnt want a whole lot. Raiders Jan. 9, 1994), Ravens records held by Sharpe The ref didn't call it, I went with it. I'd also like to recognize the elite seven, that is the number of tight ends that have already been enshrined. Youll never know. Sharpe started at tight end. 'I said I'm fine." I'd also like to thank the City of Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame itself, and all the volunteers for their hard work to make this such a great event. [Tied for 3rd] Most Points Scored, Career 12, Team Statistical Championships He said that it's not what you achieve that matters the most, but the person you become that is most important. It also was the source of the "Crying Jordan meme," which has been used on social media incessantly over the past few years. 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. Replying to . So I apologize. [1st] Most Pass Receptions, Game 13 (vs. L.A. We lost one of our members early last month, John Mackey. Miller also went out of his way to praise his family, especially older sister Cheryl Miller -- a Hall of Famer herself and who is recognized as one of the top women to ever play basketball. Ms. Elaine Keels, my high school remedial reading and Spanish teacher. I remember eating possum. Every time at lunch youre not eating, youre in the gym, youre working out. You want to go to bed and not get wet when you wake up. I remember those days of putting those plastic coats on the bed and Im going to date myself and call them croaker sacks but now we call them burlap bags. I'm the only player of 267 men who have walked through this building to my left, that can honestly say this: I'm the only pro football player who's in the Hall of Fame, and I'm the second best player in my own family. With coaching staff in place, what's next for Carolina Panthers? 1991 AFC Buffalo Bills 10, Denver Broncos 7 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 didn't know a lot about it, he came from the old country. (Records through the 2001 season, Sharpes final season with Baltimore), [1st] Most Consecutive Games With a Pass Reception 31 (2000-2001) Super Bowl XXXIII Denver Broncos 34, Atlanta Falcons 19 [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Career 309 And I neglected my kids. Former Tight End for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. The main . This day means so much to me because I get to share it with that guy right there. I love you, big sis. My girlfriend and I were laying in the bed. 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. I'm so honored. That drove me. Transcript: Shannon Sharpes acceptance speech, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Nikola Jokics 39-point masterclass gives Nuggets 2-0 lead over Suns, Nuggets 3-pointers: Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic put on a show in Game 2, DU womens lacrosse, nations last undefeated team, eyes first national title, Rockies April was a shower of mostly bad baseball. 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. Thank you for making all of those sacrifices the other kids never had to make so your dad could live out his dream. Thats all my grandmother wanted. His speech was a touching tribute to his mother, the inspiration for "Prime Time" and his drive for everything he did on the field. 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. ", Funniest line: "Bryon Russell came over to me and said, 'You know what, man, why'd you quit? 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. 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? I know my family's proud. I said, "Granny, do you want jewelry?" Gambling Problem? I said Im fine. I just want to lay here, and I just want to think. My brother never knew that everything he said that I hung on it. He finished his speech by saying that everyone is a role model in our lives, whether positive or negative, and that we can learn something from everyone. And I'm thinking well, my grandmother wants 7,000, 8,000 square feet. I know some of you might be in awe of the number of years, but its the number of miles. It's my turn to bring Mary Porter to life with my voice. He had three receptions for 49 yards in the game. ", Funniest line: "My mother-in-law who for 33, 34 years has been by far my biggest fan. Three traits that translate in any generation and any job setting. Memorable quote: "So a new goal had entered into my mind then and there, and I said to myself, 'I will make it to the Hall of Fame; that I would make it to the Hall of Fame so I could acknowledge the fact of how important he [Favre's father] was.' My sister didnt know, my brother didnt know, but it raged. Best. [1st] Most Receiving Yards, Game 96 (at Oakland Jan. 14, 2001) Shannon Sharpe: Hall of Fame Speech 2011 Shannon Sharpe Considered by many to be the Greatest Tight End of All-Time. You've been with my grandmother for 41 years. Come pick me up and shake me. 1. Griffey concluded by saying that even if he made it look easy, he worked hard and that he was very proud to be a Mariner. Memorable quote: "[Krause] said, 'Organizations win championships.' Every other day you would drive to go to different hospitals so our grandmother could get the best care. She never called me by my name. A reporter once told me he could hear the tape recorder smiling when I got on a roll, but, please, dont let the persona overshadow the person. If I ever seen you in a pair of shorts, if I ever see you in a pair of shorts.' Favre said how much he loved playing football and that he didn't have any regrets. Sharpe led the Broncos in receiving six times and the Ravens once. 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. Then, of course, there is my quarterback and great friend, John Elway. The next time you go in that room, you think about Sterling Sharpe's numbers for seven years. He also said his high school counselor encouraged him to play baseball, promising him a quarter for each hit, run scored or stolen base. I would not be here before you today without my father. 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). 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. Eligibility restrictions apply. Full list of Mr. Irrelevants in NFL draft history: Is Brock Purdy already the best final pick? I made it. Hall of Fame enshrinement speech of Shannon Sharpe, Super Bowl winning tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens from from 1990-2003: Thank you, everyone. Sharpe started at tight end. Thats all she wanted. I have a certain persona as a player, and I know this will come as a shock, but I like to talk. I embraced it. My sister, Libby, the caretaker of the family, my best friend, my sounding board, my biggest fan. 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.
