The Class of Football

by Adam Schefter

  You wonder as I’ve gotten older how they really stuck to that situation because I know it was difficult. I know they wanted the nicer things in life, but they couldn’t have them because they committed to all their children to make sure all their needs were met.

  But in their commitment there was a lot of love, caring, and understanding. They may not have been able to provide us with the material things that we as children might have wanted, but they provided us with the most valuable things that life can offer: respect, caring, understanding. Things that will last a lifetime and the things that we grew up on.

  In closing, I would like to share a story with you that talks about children and how important they are. This story is about a man and his son.

  During the middle of the week, they were home resting and the son came up in the evening with two gloves and a baseball and he said, “Dad, can we go out and play catch?” The dad was a little tired and said, “Son, why don’t you come back on Saturday and I will play catch with you.”

  Well, Saturday came and the father was relaxing in the easy chair, reading the morning paper. The son came back on the weekend with two gloves and a baseball and said, “Dad, will you play catch?” The father said, “Well, son, I’m reading the morning paper. Can you come back a few minutes later and I will be ready to play?”

  A few minutes later he came back. “Dad, can we go out and play catch now?” The father was getting a little disturbed at all the interruptions. He came upon an ad in the paper that had a full-page picture of the world on it. So he showed it to his son and tore it into small pieces and said, “Take this to your room, and when you put it together, come back and I will be ready to go out and play catch with you.”

  The son took those pieces of paper, went to his room, and came back in a short period of time. He took the paper, and it was put back together perfectly, and his father was amazed. He asked his son how he did it so quickly. “Dad, on the other side of the paper there was the face of a little boy, and I knew if I put the little boy back together, the world would take care of itself.”

  I feel that way about our youth, and that is the challenge we all have. If we can put our youth together one at a time, this world would be a much better place to live and they would have the chances I did.

  Joe Gibbs

  Washington Redskins Coach

  Class of 1996

  Before he retired the first time, Gibbs led the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles with three different starting quarterbacks and also compiled a 124–60 regular-season record. He finished his coaching career with a 154–94 record.

  For the last six months I’ve been asking myself something: How did I get into the Hall of Fame? And I tell you, I think I have discovered the answer to that, and I want to share it with you.

  As we look down through history we find out that God at certain points picks very average men and women. And what He does is, He gives them a life, gives them some talent, surrounds them with great people, and guides them to some achievement. I figured out that I am one of those average people God looked down on and touched.

  The first thing He did for me was give me a great family. My mother is here today. About three months ago we were worried; I wasn’t sure if my mom was going to make it. It is one of the great thrills of my life to have my mom here. I want to say to my mom, thank you for all the times that you and Dad sacrificed for me and Jim. Thank you, Mom. We lost my dad about five years ago, but you know God tells us in His Word that those that have gone on before us are in heaven cheering us on….

  As I took off in life, I learned that I loved to play games. And I loved to win. And I discovered that life was a game. And let me tell you, it’s the greatest game of all time. I know, like you guys, that I wanted to win. As I made my travels along as I started to have my dreams, as I started to grow up, God put a special person in my life and that was Pat, my high school sweetheart. And Pat and I made the same discovery in life and we decided that we wanted to play the game of life together. Any of you that knows my family, we took a vote. And we voted Pat the captain of our family. I play on her team. It’s one of the greatest teams that God could put together. We decided that Pat would run the home and I would coach….

  As we moved and coached, all of a sudden there were a couple of additions to our team. That was J.D. and Coy. The best way I can describe this is that Pat and I changed our priorities. It kind of goes with this little story. In 1983 we had one of the greatest football teams I think that has ever been put together. Everybody remembers that. We had just won a big game at RFK and I can remember that I woke up the next morning, we were going down to play Dallas for the division championship. I got up that morning, strutting around, thinking how great I was. Isn’t it amazing how God gives us great wives to put us in our place? About halfway through that morning, Pat said to me, “Do you mind picking up your socks and bathrobe?” I thought, the nerve of her talking to such an important man that way!

  As the morning went along she started sharing some things about Coy and J.D., and again I thought, why would she be bothering me when she knows I have such an important week coming up? Why would she start bothering me with these problems with J.D. and Coy? So I kind of stormed out of the house, slammed the door, and as I climbed in the car, I have always made a promise that I would pray on the way to work. As I prayed on the way to work that morning, I made a discovery. When I got to work, I called Pat and this is what I told her: “Pat, what you are taking care of at home is more important than what I am taking care of at work.” The football games and the Super Bowls and all the fun we had, the fans, and everything, are some of the greatest memories anybody can ever have. But Pat and I came to the conclusion, the greatest thing we will ever leave on this earth is our two boys.

  I have to say thanks to all the players. Some of those guys are out here in the audience. One of the favorite questions that people ask me is who was the greatest player that you ever coached? And every time they say that, I can’t list the greatest player I ever coached, there are too many of them. If I started to list the players, it would go something like this: Reggie Branch, Pete Cronan, Otis Wonsley. And those guys would all say whose that? Those guys were not some of the heralded guys; those were some of the special teamers. I know Joe Jacoby and some of the guys out there will agree with me. Some of the greatest players on our football team were free agents. They were guys that gave their guts and covered those kickoffs and made all the rest of us look good….

  I think I’m one of the most blessed guys in the world. And one of the final notes I took this morning and I’m going to share with you is that I realized that I have five families. I have been blessed to be in five different families. I am in God’s spiritual family. I want to thank Him for that. I have an earthly family: my mother, my dad, and my brother. I have my family that Pat and I have put together: Pat, J.D., Coy, and now Melissa. I have a Redskins family that I will always be a part of. And I now have a Hall of Fame family. Guys, I want to thank you for paving the way. I want to say thanks to everybody because I got everything.

  Nick Buoniconti

  Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins Linebacker

  Class of 2001

  Selected to the AFL’s All-Time Team, Buoniconti also was All-AFL/AFC eight times.

  Presented by His Son, Marc Buoniconti

  This great game of football has given our family its brightest moments and its darkest days. Dad, eighty-five was your lucky number. But 1985 brought some tough times for the Buoniconti family.

  Early that year, you lost your own dad to cancer, and then in October, I had my paralyzing injury playing linebacker for the Citadel. Looking into your eyes, I saw a mask of pain and fear transform into that familiar look of determination. I knew you were getting ready for our biggest challenge.

  So when they started usinvg labels for me and telling you all the medical clichés that I’d never walk again, that I’d need a machine to breathe for me, that paralysis can’t be cured, once again you
didn’t listen. You made a bedside promise to do everything and anything to help me walk again.

  Your promise that October day sixteen years ago became the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the world’s largest, most comprehensive spinal cord research center. It is a symbol of hope for hundreds of thousands of Americans who are waiting for a cure.

  Dad, you never believed the labels and the limitations others described to you. Instead, you faced each challenge head on and made believers out of them. So in closing, I’ve got a label for you that I’ve never heard mentioned. Dad, as I look at all the things they say you couldn’t do it seems to me that you’re just not a very good listener.

  Who would have thought that the son of an Italian baker from the south end of Springfield, Massachusetts, would go on to run a Fortune 500 company? Or that a guy with a degree in economics would be helping to make medical history? Or that a thirteenth-round pick of the fledgling AFL would today be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

  Dad, you’ve always been by my side and have been more of a father to me than I could have ever imagined. The best father one could hope for. Whatever it is you’ve got inside you, we see it, we feel it, and it gives each of us a little bit more reason to believe.

  Nick Buoniconti

  Well, it looks like the final chapter in my professional life has been written. It was a challenge. I took the challenge head on. It was a mountain and I climbed the mountain. But as I close that book on my professional career, as my son Marc says, the biggest challenge and the highest mountain is yet to be climbed.

  You know, I wear this Super Bowl ring, which is the only ring ever produced that says the Miami Dolphins were undefeated and were perfect. I would trade this ring in and all my individual accomplishments if one thing could happen in my lifetime. My son, Marc, dreams that he walks. And as a father, I would like nothing more than to walk by his side.

  Jim Kelly

  Buffalo Bills Quarterback

  Class of 2002

  Kelly mastered the no-huddle offense that propelled the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls. He passed for more than three thousand yards in eight seasons.

  Presented by Bills Coach Marv Levy

  Never mind his eye-popping statistics, he never cared about them anyway. He cared about winning, and he was a winner. He cared about his team and about his teammates. He cared about his wonderful family, and about our loyal and enthusiastic Buffalo Bills fans. He cared about his community, and he showed it.

  Never mind about his arm—it was great—but what was really noteworthy about Jim was his heart. Jim Kelly’s heart was as stout as a nose tackle’s butt.

  His qualities, he had them all. Toughness—coaching legend Joe Paterno tried to recruit Jim to come to Penn State to play linebacker. Leadership—was he good in the locker room? Heck no, his locker was a mess! Our equipment managers were good in the locker room. Jim led by his actions on the field.

  Jim Kelly

  Then there is my only son, Hunter, born on February 14, Valentine’s Day, my birthday—the son I’ve always wanted. I’ve dreamt what every father dreams about, playing catch in the backyard, going fishing, camping, everything that fathers and sons do.

  But within four months, my son was diagnosed with a fatal disease called Krabbe’s Leukodystrophy. They told us to take him home and make him comfortable. And from that day, my wife and I decided to fight this disease.

  And so, we made it our lifelong commitment to make sure that kids all over the world don’t suffer like my son does. Since the day I was selected, I prayed to God that my son would be here with me today. God has granted me that blessing.

  It has been written throughout my career that toughness is my trademark. Well, the toughest person I’ve ever met in my life is my hero, my soldier, my son, Hunter. I love you, buddy.

  Editor’s note: Hunter Kelly, whose battle with the fatal nervous system disease inspired the charitable works of his Hall-of-Fame father, died on August 5, 2005. He was eight years old.

  Joe DeLamielleure

  Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns Guard

  Class of 2003

  A six-time Pro Bowl selection, DeLamielleure played thirteen years and 185 games.

  I’m going to go into this quick. I’m going to talk about my mom and dad. Ten kids—my dad had a bar, I think it was forty-three years that he worked it—from seven in the morning to 2:30 at night, open seven days a week except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. He taught me the meaning of work and what it meant. He was a dedicated dad who cared about his kids. And, the ten kids were a beautiful family—we had a ball every day. I know my mom and dad didn’t enjoy it but we sure did.

  My mother taught me two things. My mother taught me teamwork and how to pray—two very important things. Teamwork came from this—one bathroom, no lock, ten kids. We learned to share early, and I appreciate her. I know they’re up there. I thought they were crying they were so happy. Those were tears of joy from all of our parents that are all passed away.

  I was Bo Schembechler’s first recruit. I got recruited by lots of schools but I was Bo Schembechler’s first recruit. I really wanted to go to Michigan bad. I wanted to go so badly, they put me with Paul Seymour when I got recruited. That was a pretty tough experience, but he still didn’t deter me from wanting to go to Michigan.

  But, I went to my dad and I said, “Dad, I want to go to the University of Michigan.” And he said, “Joey,” which he always called me, “I don’t want you going there.” I said, “Why?” He said: “Two reasons. Duffy’s Catholic and I can’t say Schembechler.” So I said, “DeLamielleure, and you can’t say ‘Schembechler’? Good God.”

  But I always did what my dad told me. I took his advice. I went to Michigan State and it was the best decision I ever made. I’ll never forget our first meeting and this is very important. Duffy Dougherty gathered us together as freshman and he said, “Guys, to be a great football player you need three bones—a backbone, a wishbone, and a funny bone.” And I took that advice my whole life. My kids will tell you, the biggest bone I got is a funny bone.

  And I am glad for Coach Dougherty and the guys I played with. I’m going to mention two who I roomed with because those guys set the bar high for me. They made Hall of Fames of their own.

  My college roommate Bryce Bowron—he hurt his knee, three surgeries, eighteen months. I never forget this, at one hospital, I said, “What are you going to do now?” because our dream was to play in the National Football League, all three of ours. He said, “I think I’m going to give the Secret Service a shot.” Man, did he give it a shot. He was director at age forty-three—the director under Bill Clinton. Right now, he just got named Director of Security here at the Cleveland Clinic. I’ve always looked up to him because he’s a tough guy—three surgeries, career cut short, he didn’t whine about it, he moved on with life and became a winner himself.

  My other roommate, John Shinsky, from Cleveland St. Joe’s. He was in an orphanage, came to Michigan State with a very bad SAT, or low, whatever. John was just an amazing guy. He used to read hard. He didn’t practice hard, he read hard. Now he’s a doctor, a PhD, and John lived in an orphanage. He always impressed me, so I go, “John, what are you going to do when you’re older?” He said, “Joe, I’m going to open an orphanage.” John didn’t open one orphanage; he opened two. He had the interest; he got two orphanages going in Mount Morris, Mexico….

  When I was a boy—I’m going to end with this—I was ten years old, I think it was 1962, the Green Bay Packers played the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. They call it the “Thanksgiving Day Massacre.” I went with my dad and my four brothers to that game. I don’t know if you guys remember this but you guys got the bad seats, me and Dad got to sit on the fifty. I held Dad’s hand and I said, “Dad, someday I’m going to play in this game.” He didn’t doubt me for a minute. He said, “When you do, I’m going to be there.”

  1978—time passed—we played that game. But my father had a heart attack may
be three or four weeks before. In the game, O. J. Simpson got 273 yards. Jim Ringo told me, “I’ve never seen you play a game that hard.” I played it because my dad’s not going to be there. I then walk out of the locker room, and there he is. I go, “Dad, what are doing here? Man, you shouldn’t even be here. What are you crazy?”

  He said, “Don’t you remember 1962? I’m not going to miss this for the world.” And that’s a true story.

  John Elway

  Denver Broncos Quarterback

  Class of 2004

  The King of the Comeback, Elway passed for 51,475 yards and three hundred touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and MVP in 1987 and Super Bowl XXXIII.

  Presented by His Daughter, Jessica Elway

  As you might suspect, growing up with the last name Elway made for some pretty interesting questions. The most common one we get is, “What’s the coolest part of having John Elway as a dad?”

  “That’s easy,” we’d always respond. “We’re too young to remember the first three Super Bowls.”

  Some of our most vivid memories came from Mile High Stadium. But they didn’t have anything to do with football. We spent more time watching my dad on the sideline, waiting for him to wave up at us, than we did watching the game. And sure enough, he always did. Looking back, those are some of my most treasured moments.

  As proud as we are of my dad, we’d be just as proud if he had not made the Hall of Fame. I can’t tell you how much he has taught us about life. He has taught us to be leaders, to set goals, to dream, and to never, ever, ever make excuses. Above all, he has taught us to be tough. No one knows more than his children how tough my dad is, how competitive he is, how badly he wanted to win those Super Bowls.