NFL fans who descended upon Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio for the 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony were treated to several memorable moments from a handful of the sport’s greatest players.
Among the nine players who received busts was Browns standout tackle Joe Thomas who delivered one of the funniest moments of the day when he joked about Cleveland’s instability at the quarterback position during his 11 seasons.
"To my quarterbacks, all of them, 20. Yes. I've blocked for more starting quarterbacks than any other player in NFL history," Thomas joked. "What an honor!"
Only Joe Thomas can say this!#PFHOF23pic.twitter.com/2qi4WU2dYR
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) August 5, 2023
Former Dolphins star middle linebacker Zach Thomas shared perhaps the most emotional moment of the day when he paid honor to the late, great Junior Seau—a member of the 2015 Hall of Fame class. Seau played alongside Thomas for three seasons (2003 to ’05).
“There is one person who’s name I have yet to mention. His poster hung on my wall in college and he was everything I wanted to be as a football player,” Thomas said of Seau. “He was my inspiration and he became my teammate and friend. Though he is not here physically, he is here in spirit and in a bust in the building behind me.“
"His poster hung on my wall in college and he was everything I wanted to be as a football player. He was my inspiration and he became my teammate and friend."
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023
An emotional tribute from Zach Thomas to Junior Seau ❤️
📺: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
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Jets stalwart Joe Klecko, the anchor of the franchise’s famed “Sack Exchange,” shared how his induction speech was sitting in his drawer for 30 years. Over that period, players salaries have grown immensely and the only player to ever be voted to the Pro Bowl at three different positions discussed how he wished he could have made what today’s stars earn.
“Honestly, I wish I could play today. Not so much for the competition, but for the money,” Klecko said. “In 1986 I was the highest-paid defensive lineman in the league. I made $700,000. Today, Aaron Donald is the highest-paid defensive lineman. He makes $31 million, point seven. My entire salary was his ‘point seven.’ I asked him to send me some, but that didn’t work either.”
Joe Klecko wishes he played today 😂
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023
📺: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/VOxus1pfPg
Meanwhile, Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber opted to point to his presenter, and twin brother, Tiki Barber as one the main reasons why he earned his way to Canton. The competition, which began as kids, motivated him on a daily basis to always strive to be the best.
“I am here because of my brother,” Ronde Barber said. “The inherent competition, the easy motivation to match accomplishments and the unwavering, unconditional support that only a twin can know. You simply cannot tell my story without telling our story.”
“I am here because of my brother.” ❤️@rondebarber | @TikiBarber
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2023
📺: #PFHOF23 Enshrinement on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/vensjkjNJV
Barber, Klecko, Joe Thomas and Zach Thomas were joined by Don Coryell, Chuck Howley, Darrelle Revis, Ken Riley and DeMarcus Ware in the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
