", Funniest line: "Greg Anthony, my compadre on NBA TV, I don't know if he's here or not, but I'm sure he'll get word of this. People often ask me how does a small town kid from Glennville, Georgia, who went to Savannah State College now Savannah State University, who won three Super Bowls and at one time owned all significant receiving records for a tight end? Long-time Denver Broncos TE Shannon Sharpe was inducted into the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday night and he delivered one of the great all-time speeches we've ever seen. She didnt want a whole lot. But I'm not here to apologize for that because it got me here and it got them to a life they never would have enjoyed had it not been for that. The other days she wanted to be on a fishing creek. We lost one of our members early last month, John Mackey. As my grandmother was laying in that casket on Saturday morning, I walked over to her, and I asked her two things. KayUrameshi . In his eyes these three guys were gods of the game: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shannon, be respectful. And he made sure to heap more. Thanks for all the sacrifices youve made. It was while with Baltimore in 2001 that Sharpe surpassed Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome to become the NFLs record holder for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. What can I say? And Im thinking well, my grandmother wants 7,000, 8,000 square feet. With coaching staff in place, what's next for Carolina Panthers? Im standing on the sideline, and I can see John walking towards me. He followed that performance with a career-high 87 receptions in 1994. Sterling Sharpe comes to mind - played Wide Receiver for the Packers from 1988 to 1994 before a neck injury took him out of the game. Shannon Sharpe's Enshrinement speech. When people told me I wasn't going to make it, I listened to the one person who told me I was, me. See, my grandmother, if you give a man your word, you do what you say you're going to do. Of the three of us youve had the toughest job so my brother and I could live out our dreams, you took care of the most important person in our family, our grandmother. To my three kids, Kayla, Kiari and Kaley, thanks for understanding when I promised to take you to the movies or the amusement park or to the mall, but because Id run myself into the ground or lifted myself into oblivion earlier that day, I didnt do what I had promised to do the night before. Raiders Jan. 9, 1994) [Tied for 1st] Most Seasons, 50 or More Pass Receptions 2 My fullbacks knew the rule was if you see me lying on the ground because I usually pop right back up after I get hurt; if you see me laying on the ground, I'm probably dazed or knocked out or something. I have never thrown an interception that has been my fault, according to my mother-in-law, Ann. I remember eating raccoon. Dont hope someone gives you an opportunity, create one for yourself. I just want to lay here, and I just want to think. [3rd] Most Pass Receptions, Career 140 But then I knew my grandmother, knowing her like I know her, after pausing for five or six minutes. But unfortunately, time doesnt permit that. Demaryius Thomas' mom speaks on scholarship honoring son | 9news.com "At least you waited all the way until you got the jacket on," Jones yelled. Sharpe started at tight end. [Tied for 1st] Most Pass Receptions, Game 13 (vs. L.A. In my first game starting at tight end they put me in motion the entire game. Gambling Problem? Sterling Sharpe's numbers are tremendous through seven years including his final season where he lead the league with a whopping 18 touchdown receptions. Guys, thank you for allowing me to share 14 minutes and 23 seconds of your time. He never gave me a[n] autograph.". I said, "Granny, do you want jewelry?" Thanks, Coach Hall, for all your wisdom. Every other day you would drive to go to different hospitals so our grandmother could get the best care. Speech summary: He wasn't talking about practice, man. Coach Hall has been teaching and coaching for 50 plus years, and hes still coaching today. We won the game. I mean, I even hit three home runs at Wrigley Field, tell me about it.". The only regret that I have in my 43 years that I never told my grandmother just how much she means to me. 2121 George Halas Drive, Canton, Ohio. She said, son, I want a decent home and her words verbatim is Son, I want to go to bed one night, and she said, I want God to let it rain as hard as he possibly can, and I want him to let it rain all night long. She said, I want to wake up and not be wet. Thats a decent home for my grandmother. My sister, Libby, the caretaker of the family, my best friend, my sounding board, my biggest fan. Memorable quote: "My big brother, Sterling, I'm the only player of 267 men that's walked through this building to my left that can honestly say this: I'm the only pro football player that's in the Hall of Fame, and I'm the second-best player in my own family. My grandmother wanted to go to church and Sunday school every Sunday. You can watch the full speech below courtesy of our good friends at Black Sports Online: Some have everything to do with me. I wanted to be so much like my brother that when I went to college, my brothers first college girlfriend when I went to college, my first college girlfriend looked exactly like his (laughing). I want to start by congratulating my fellow inductees who I share the stage with today. Shannon Sharpe gets in heated argument with Morant at half That drove me. Thats all she wanted. Our last preseason game my rookie year, we were playing the Arizona Cardinals. [2nd] Most Receiving Yards, Career 8,439 But, like athletes, some Hall of Fame speeches simply rise above the rest. Speech summary: Martin spoke about his tough childhood and how he was so grateful to his mother for all the sacrifices she made for him. I'd like to have a very special thanks to Mr. Pat Bowlen, owner of the Denver Broncos. ", Funniest line: "And I said, 'Mama' -- because I was tired of seeing her go to work and come home all tired -- I said, 'I'm going to be rich one day. You don't know what this means to me. Shannon Sharpe is a 3x Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer. He poked fun at everything from his .200 career batting average to setting a record for passed balls. Memorable quote: "I knew I had come to a crossroads in my life. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Thank you, guys. The Avalanche championship dynasty crumbles less than a year after hoisting the Stanley Cup. Thanks Coach Hall for all your wisdom, your guidance, your understanding that you've given me and my family over those 50 plus years. Memorable quote: "No, you're laughing, but this is the truth. Some have absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with the kindness and patience of all the people that guided me through my life. Shannon Sharpe gives his enshrinement speech as he's inducted into the Ring of Fame during the Broncos' game against the Cleveland Browns September 20, 2009 at Invesco Field. And I'm trying to gather in my mind what I'm going to say when I see my grandma laying in that casket, and before I did the interview I remember going by King's Funeral Home that had my grandmother's body, and I rubbed her head. I want to thank my head coaches, my offensive coordinators, my position coaches who diagrammed plays and had the confidence in me to call those plays to help make today possible. "Last but not least, the great Kobe Bryant, a guy that would push me. Further, Shannon insisted that the Hall of Fame Committee members check his brother Sterling's career. I'm so honored. I guess I never realized this but he's absolutely right. The focus was supposed to be on him for his accomplishments in basketball, but he made it about everyone else and how they helped get him where he is.