Drew Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Canton, Ohio, as a first-ballot selection, the Hall said. Brees finished his career with 80,358 passing yards and 571 touchdown passes, second only to Tom Brady, the Hall said.
On stage beside his bronze bust, Brees credited former coach Marty Schottenheimer with fueling his resolve, saying he had been benched three times early in his career. “The first two times I got benched, I deserved it. The third time, I still don’t think I deserved it, Coach,” Brees said during his speech, according to the ceremony transcript. Sean Payton, who took time off from coaching the Denver Broncos to attend, introduced Brees, and Brees thanked Payton for his role in New Orleans, where the quarterback won a Super Bowl.
Larry Fitzgerald was the first inductee to have his bust unveiled on Saturday at Tom Benson Stadium. Fitzgerald, who played 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, told the crowd to prioritize helping others pursue excellence. “Don’t just pursue excellence for yourself. Help other people pursue it, too,” Fitzgerald said. The Hall said Fitzgerald ranks second in NFL history with 1,432 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards; his 121 touchdown catches rank sixth.
Adam Vinatieri became the third full-time placekicker in the Hall, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen, the Hall said. Vinatieri retired with NFL records of 2,673 career points and 599 field goals and played 24 seasons, the Hall said. Introduced by Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Vinatieri joked through much of his speech and credited preparation and perseverance for his success.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly, 35, became the second-youngest player inducted, the Hall said, second to Gale Sayers, who was 34 when inducted in 1977. Kuechly, a five-time All-Pro who was the 2012 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and the 2013 AP Defensive Player of the Year, retired after eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers in part to preserve his brain health following multiple concussions, he said. Roger Craig, who revealed in a video message that he has vascular dementia, was honored as the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and receive for 1,000 yards in a single season, the Hall said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
