2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, new inductees share emotional, inspirational words
Five NFL legends, including Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, were officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The ceremony featured emotional speeches and reflections on their careers, mentorship, and personal histories.
Why it matters
The induction of these players marks a significant milestone in American sports history, celebrating the legacies of some of the most influential figures in modern football.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame officially enshrined five men — Drew Brees , Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly , Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri — into its halls Saturday.
They acknowledged their mentors and bared their souls, earning laughs and tears alike. Here were some of the most memorable moments from their induction speeches.
What he said in his induction speech: Fitzgerald retold his football story, from Vikings ballboy to Hall of Famer, thanking dozens of people along the way. One of the first stops was at Martin Luther King Park in Minneapolis:
"Had my first touchdown, my first home run, first dunk, first fight. I even had my first kiss, and I almost drowned in the pool there one time."
Fitzgerald praised the Bidwill family, especially Michael for giving him "the canvas to paint my version of a masterpiece" and for the golf-trip planes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in