The Pro Football HOF '16 enshrinement ceremony last night drew a crowd of 22,469, up from 21,755 at last year's event (Mult., 8/6). Packers fans flooded Canton to see inductee Brett Favre, making up "at least" 80% of the crowd (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/7). Favre was the final speaker and "spoke the longest" (ESPN.com, 8/6). The night "belonged to Favre" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/6). Former 49ers Owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. also was inducted, and he "recounted the journey that spanned from his early struggles" to the team's five Super Bowl titles "in a speech that alternated between funny and deeply emotional" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/7).
Tony Dungy, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace and Kevin Greene, along with the late Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel, rounded out the '16 class. The night's "most poignant moment" came after Stabler was "introduced and there were no words at all." Instead of a speech, "there was simply the roar of the crowd" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/7). Meanwhile, Dungy "didn't focus on his achievements" in his speech (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/7).
ESPN's Chris Mortensen, who is battling throat cancer, received the Dick McCann Award and "made an inspirational appearance onstage" (ESPN.com, 8/6). Former NFL Exec VP/Communications & Public Affairs Joe Browne also received the HOF's Ralph Hay Pioneer Award (NEWSDAY, 8/7).
