Hall of Fame InductionOne Hot Evening In Canton, Ohio With Tiger Woods Lurking Just Over In Toledo
Hall of Fame Induction
Canton of Ohio,
YBSPORTS STAFF COLUMN,
The drive to Canton was exhausting, and the traffic was abundant on route 80, all three hundred and forty seven miles of them. But what really got my attention was the amount of rainfall that fell in both Pennsylvania and continued well into the state of Ohio, especially around the city of Akron. It rained every single mile that I drove, but this was the year that I had waited for, and there was simply nothing that could keep me from making it to Canton, of Ohio this year to witness firsthand, this year’s NFL’s marquee moment. The inductees who were picked to be enshrined, made this an induction that would be impossible for me to miss and knowing that the Marshall Plan, Shannue and Prime would be there made this journey all the more necessary. For those of you not bemusing to nicknames, the inductees also go by the names of Marshall Faulk, Shannon Sharp and Deion Sanders. But this induction would prove even more special because it was honoring three more very special pillars of NFL royalty, Richard Dent, Ed Sabol and Chris Hanburger.
There was a groundswell of traffic that bottlenecked much of Akron and the surrounding communities on this night, but that was to be expected with the World Golf Championships ongoing at Firestone Country Club. And the much anticipated return of the Woodsman.Yes, this tournament marked the return of Tiger Woods and the starry collection of media that would surrounded his return after so much of his publicized past. Woods seems to be the only celebrity that could attract such throngs of media members to Akron, and steal a bit of the limelight, especially when the Hall of Fame inductions are taking place just fifteen minutes down the road. But on this night, the city of Canton of Ohio would shine with all six inductees taking their turn at the podium and honoring all of those that played a part in them taking the stage one final time to give thanks in a special way. One noticeable sight that was shared with all in attendance was the wealth of support for these special inductees the entire night throughout, as the large teletron screens flanking both sides of the stage continually flashed the faces of the inductees support groups located in the audience at floor level.
Here television cameras spent as much time scanning for faces and guests of the famous honorees as they did focusing on the main stage. If you were there in person you would have come away with a heavy heart, shed some tears, but certain of one shining reality… This night was all about the momma’s and the grand momma’s. Family, is what life is all about. Take that away…And your Hall of Fame might just dwindle down to nothing. I wouldn’t dishonor those who were honored on this special night with my rendition of why they were the chosen few to receive their yellow jackets, instead I would only direct you to your endless stash of great memories that you yourself can call upon to tell the story of these amazing contributors. Any attempt at doing anything more than that would be doing a bit of a disservice to those greats who helped build the game into what it is today.
Photo by Russ Harris
Hall Of Fame inductee Dieon Sanders aka "Prime" beginning his speech to the crowd.
Some of the greatest NFLer's collect on stage prior to the start of the induction ceremonies.
ESPN leading sports host Chris Berman, applauds Marshall Faulk who is standing next to his (Bust).
Washington's HOF Inductee Chris Hanburger is flanked by by Shannon Sharpe and former Chicago Bear Richard Dent.
……Shannon Sharpe, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Richard Dent take the stage for introductions.
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