IT'S A ONE OF A KIND CELEBRATION!

IT WAS INDEED A "ONE OF A KIND CELEBRATION!" 

Richard Dent, Marshall Faulk, Chris Hanburger, Les Richter, Ed Sabol, Deion Sanders, and Shannon Sharpe can now call Canton, Ohio, their home.  With their induction on August 6, 2011, they joined 260 other players, coaches and contributors as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, "America's Premier Sports Museum and Showplace!"

The Enshrinement Festival consisted of 16 additional events, all celebrating the induction of the 2011 Class of Enshrinees.  It was a labor of love for the professional staffs of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce as we collaborated with a team of 4,200 extraordinary community volunteers, generous cash and in-kind sponsors, media partners, and governmental entities.  To each and every person who in any way contributed to the success of the 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, we offer our sincere thanks.  You provided memories to last a lifetime.

Snippets from the 2011 Class of Enshrinees' acceptance speeches. . .

Richard Dent:  "Not in my wildest dream did I think I would be here.  When you have dreams, it's very tough to say that you can do everything by yourself.  It's all about other people. None of us can get anywhere by ourselves."

Marshall Faulk:  It's tough going from the projects to the penthouse.  Just a couple of lessons that I learned throughout my journey. They may apply to you, they may not.  My first piece of advice is to live life, don't let life live you.  Next, my father told me this, if you ever traveled on a road with no speed bumps, you're headed for a dead end.  But life's a challenge."

Chris Hanburger:  "To me, the real Hall of Fame people are all the men and women of our armed forces, all the men and women in law enforcement, and all the firefighters.  These people, to me, go over and beyond making a tackle or a blitz, or completing a pass.  They're wonderful people.  I just ask you when you get a chance, just thank them.  Two words, thank you.  That means the world to them."

Jon Richter, representing his late father Les Richter:  "He was not one to pump his chest.  He was more concerned with playing the game right and making sure the fans got what they paid for."

Ed Sabol:  "I dreamed a dream, the impossible dream.  I dreamed the impossible dream, and I'm living it right this minute.  I said that twice because at my age, you know, your memory starts to go a little bit.  In case I forgot it, I would have a backup.  Now if you can figure that out, you're pretty smart."

Deion Sanders:  "I heard some of the Hall of Famers say I never really dreamed like this.  I'm sorry, I did.  I expect to be great. I expect to do what hadn't been done.  I expect to provoke change.  I expect when I walk into a room and it's 72 degrees when I get there, it's going to be 70.  I expect to make a change."

Shannon Sharpe:  "I'd also like to thank the City of Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame itself, and all the volunteers for their hard work to make this such a great event.  At this moment, I"m extremely proud and excited where my 14-year journey has taken me and my family.  And today is the culmination of that journey: 2121 George Halas Drive, Canton, Ohio."

THE 2012 CLASS OF ENSHRINEES WILL BE

ANNOUNCED FEBRUARY 4TH. 

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