Tomlinson sets the tone at hall of fame induction
Running back praises his forerunners, makes call for U.S. to be open-minded
CANTON, OHIO— The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted seven NFL greats on Saturday night: running back LaDainian Tomlinson, running back Terrell Davis, kicker Morten Andersen, quarterback Kurt Warner, defensive back Kenny Easley, defensive end Jason Taylor and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Here’s what some of them had to say:
Moments after one of the best running backs in NFL history entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, another followed: LaDainian Tomlinson.
Preceded Saturday by Terrell Davis, the record-setting Tomlinson became the fifth inductee of the night, presented by former San Diego teammate (and lead blocker) Lorenzo Neal.
The fifth overall selection in the 2001 draft, Tomlinson won rushing titles in 2006-07, taking league MVP honours in ’06 when he set a record with 31 touchdowns.
Also a strong receiver, he added 4,772 yards and 17 TD receptions to his career numbers for 13,684 yards rushing and 145 scores. Tomlinson even threw seven touchdown passes.
From 2004-05, he set a league mark with 18 straight game with a rushing TD.
In a powerful speech filled with religious references and a call to Americans to be open-minded and openhearted, Tomlinson also paid tribute to his predecessors.
“I grew up dreaming about running the ball like the great Jim Brown, the late Walter Payton, and the NFL alltime rusher Emmitt Smith,” he said. “Tonight I stand on the shoulders of you.”
Terrell Davis had one of the most spectacular short careers in NFL history. His seven seasons were brilliant enough to get him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The former Broncos running back went from an obscure sixth-round draft pick from Georgia to a league MVP and two-time Super Bowl winner. Davis was the catalyst for the NFL titles Denver won in 1997 and ’98 with another Hall of Famer, John Elway, at quarterback.
The 1996 and ’98 Offensive Player of the Year, 1997 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and ’98 NFL MVP, Davis’ meteoric stint came to an ugly end with a devastating knee injury in 1999.
That in great part kept him out of the hall for more than a decade.
During his speech, delivered in a burst of rain that temporarily thinned the crowd, Davis talked about once “staring down the barrel of a shotgun” as a troubled teenager.
“Thank god someone talked the guy out of pulling the trigger,” said Davis, who then determined to turn his life around.
Morten Andersen, the NFL’s career scoring leader, became just the second place-kicker inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
Andersen played an incredible 25 pro seasons, a league record, mostly for the Saints. He also was with the Falcons, Giants, Chiefs and Vikings, playing 382 total games.
The left-footed kicker from Denmark paid homage to his two homes.
“Good evening, Canton, Ohio,” he began. “Good morning Denmark.
“My story isn’t only about my love for my country of Denmark and its people,” he said, “but also my deep appreciation and respect for what I discovered here in the United States of America.”
Sackmaster Jason Taylor, elected in his first year of eligibility, was inducted Saturday night into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A star mostly with Miami, Taylor also spent one season with the Redskins and one with the Jets.
A third-round draft pick from Akron — just down the road from the Hall of Fame — Taylor was presented for induction by Jimmy Johnson, who coached him for several years with the Dolphins.
“I honestly can’t believe I am here,” said Taylor, who kissed the shaved head atop his bust when it was unveiled.
“In 1992 I was at the University of Akron, just 20 miles away. It took 20 years to travel 20 miles to put on this jacket. It was worth every step.”
Kenny Easley, a hard-hitting safety for the Seahawks and a member of the 1980s All-Decade Team, had to wait 24 years before being voted into the hall.
A seniors committee choice, Easley played only seven seasons and 89 games for Seattle. But what an impact he made as an intimidator and ballhawk.
“I was first nominated for the hall in 1997,” Easley said. “Twenty years later — be anxious for nothing — the Hall of Fame was dropped on the shoulders of Kenny Easley like a pair of shoulder pads. Some folks said I deserved to be in the hall earlier; I don’t believe that. Others say he didn’t play long enough, I don’t believe that.”