A "smaller than usual crowd of 13,500" was on hand yesterday at Tom Benson HOF Stadium to watch the enshrinement of the Pro Football HOF Class of '17, which consisted of Jerry Jones and former players LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor, Kurt Warner, Terrell Davis, Morten Anderson and Kenny Easley (STLTODAY.com, 8/6)
Below are some highlights from yesterday's ceremony:
- Tomlinson "stole the show" with a "powerful speech calling for 'Team America' to be a place for inclusion and opportunity" (AP, 8/6).
- Easley "captured the attention of the audience right from the start and held it throughout his speech" (Canton REPOSITORY, 8/6). He concluded with a "nod toward athletes using their platforms to promote social activism." Easley: "Black lives do matter. And all lives matter, too. But the carnage affecting young black men today from random violence to police shootings across this nation has to stop" (ESPN.com, 8/5).
- Andersen in his speech "openly expressed his deep love" for the Saints and Owner Tom Benson. Andersen: "Benson has done a remarkable job not only with the Saints, but throughout professional football. We're here in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium tonight. I'm thankful we have an owner who reinvests in the game" (Canton REPOSITORY, 8/6). Andersen at times "drew huge laughs," and the HOF "might want to think about bringing" him back next year as emcee (ESPN.com, 8/5).
- Davis was "presented for induction by his agent, Neil Schwartz" (AP, 8/5).
Meanwhile, USA TODAY
shares its choices for best quotes.
The lengths of the induction speeches were: Andersen (19:39), Davis (26:33), Easley (21:55), Jones (36:20), Taylor (31:48), Tomlinson (26:01) and Warner (32:45) (Canton REPOSITORY, 8/6).
