It challenged my faith. You never cut corners, and you never looked unprepared. Am I willing, can I give more of myself and I'm willing to sacrifice so somebody else can be successful?I thank the Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors for the privilege to be on the stage tonight, specifically Gary Myers, Paul Kuharsky, and John Clayton who covered me when I played and who fought for me to be here tonight.Dad, the biggest thing you taught me was family.
It grew my loyalty.
I thank every one of you for being a part of my journey.Wayne Chrebet, your underdog mentality, your work ethic and your passion for the game made you one of my all‑time favorite teammates, and I appreciated being your teammate, and I thank you.As I begin, I must first tell you that I'm a proud Southerner from Leesville, Louisiana.John is not here, but he's never forgotten, and we love you.Respect your opponent, but don't ever give them too much respect.
Dad, I watched you take pride in putting on your uniform and packing your rucksack and taking care of your helicopters. You were teammates, you are friends, you are my brothers, and I thank each and every one of you for being a part of my journey. I can't count the number of times we had to refold our clothes because every drawer was messy.
Forks up, Coach.Still hate the Patriots.
You taught me how to love my wife and to love my children. At such an early age, I learned from Coach Moses a love for the game of football and how to respect the game. Together we were miserable in the dog days of summer in training camp, we celebrated close victories, and we commiserated miserable losses.Whether it be through encouragement, wisdom, or resources, I learned that God can use one person to change the lives of hundreds and even thousands. It taught me discipline, sacrifice, and selflessness. I'll always be grateful for our time together, and I thank you.Larry Zierlien, you were a godsend when you got to LSU in my senior year.
Everybody hates the winners.
My first year with the Jets, before the first game we each played against each other, Bill Parcells told me in front of my entire team: If you don't block Thomas, we won't win the game.Coach James Williams from Leesville at that moment on the sideline taught me not only to believe in myself but to earn what I believed in.
You are the epitome of a Hall of Fame wife.The game of football is the greatest game in the world. Can I work with others that I don't like just because it benefits everybody else and not just me? At four o'clock, even if Coach Moses wasn't on the field, you started practice.
That sucked. I think this moment right now proves that Bill was right all along.Though I played against many opponents who challenged me to be my very best, many of whom are here tonight, there's one coach in particular that I must recognize, Coach Bill Belichick.To all my teammates, if you're here, please stand up. Known for his ruggedness, intelligence and versatility, Mawae, who played his college ball at LSU, played 177 consecutive games at one point. Joe Wessel, you believed in me, and I thank you.And in that process each one of us finds out about something of ourselves and finds answers to some of life's most difficult questions: Do I have what it takes to be the very best?
I learned to never step on the field without being ready to work. Thank you, guys, very much.Whether you're a Wampus Cat, a Tiger, a Seahawk, a Jet, or a Titan, know this: That each one of you holds a special place in my heart. Zach was one of if not the smartest player I ever faced. You better start thinking about how you're going to block Ted Washington next week.I leaned on you in that last season, and you challenged me to be a better player and a better leader. You held me accountable on the field, and some of us did life together off of it.
You all helped make my last year one to remember.Raising four boys, you learned to take the bumps and bruises along the way.
I learned to never step on the field without being ready to work.”Kevin Mawae spent his NFL career clearing a path for numerous running backs. Thank you, and I love you.You trusted me to do my job. You taught me how to love your family. Today I stand at the doorstep of football immortality.
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